Iron Spring Farm’s legendary KWPN stallion Contango passed away unexpectedly on April 17, 2007. Retired from competition, the handsome dark bay stallion died peacefully in his pasture. He was 18 years old and the only Preferent stallion in North America. He leaves a lasting legacy of numerous sons and daughters reaching the grand prix ranks in both dressage and jumping. “Even though he was getting older, you’re never ready for something like this,” said Mary Alice Malone, who rode Contango to...

It already boasted the second-highest paying championship in the entire reining industry. But for its 10th anniversary, the National Reining Breeders Classic will step up to another level--paying $75,000 to the open champion at the 2007 show, slated for April 16-22 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, TX. That's a 25% increase from the $60,000 that the event has paid in recent years, and a huge step for the officers and board of the NRBC. NRBC President Tom McCutcheon noted, "We...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is pleased to announce that the famed Morgan horse Santa Fe Renegade (Gradell’s Vigilante X Sable N’ Mink) and his trainer, Eitan Beth-Halachmy, will be the main attraction during the closing ceremonies of the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, on September 3. Santa Fe Renegade is owned by Bernice Ericksmoen of Granite Bay, CA. The event-filled ceremony will take place before 50,000 spectators and be televised worldwide in more than 140...

Lexington, KY - It is with the deepest sense of loss that the USEF must announce that Mary Lutz, Director for Endurance and Para-Equestrian, died today as a result of a riding injury. We ask that the entire equestrian community join us in expressing our deepest sympathy to Mary's family. Mary’s devotion to horse sport, her patient team attitude, and her commitment to both endurance and para-equestrian were admired and respected by all who had the privilege to work with her. More information...

Denise Boorman and Maple Leaf Paso Fino Stables are offering two stud services to Villano de La Clara, Grand National Champion Bella Forma Stallion and Colts for 2005 and 4th National Champion in Performance, as well as Legion of Merit Winner with over 2,000 points in the show ring, with the funds going to the 2006 CONFEPASO Youth Mundial to be held July 3-9, at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, FL. Villano is standing at Tuckaway Farm and is managed by Pat and Julio "Cese" Figueroa in...

USEF would like all licensed competitions and officials to be aware of a rule change that became effective on April 1, 2006, requiring ALL competitions to have an accident preparedness plan in place whether the ambulance is on call or on competition grounds. (See GR1212.6. below) The Safety Page on the USEF web site (www.usef.org/content/safety) contains a copy of the rule as well as sample plans that are offered as guides to help competitions prepare their own emergency plan in accordance with...

Lexington, KY - FarmVet.com, a leading web-based catalog featuring the best in equine and pet health products and supplies, has partnered with the United States Equestrian Federation® to offer an exclusive discount to USEF members through the MemberPerks program. As the “Official Internet Catalog of the USEF” FarmVet.com will offer a universal 5% discount to USEF members on products offered through the FarmVet.com website. The discount is available only for purchases made through the FarmVet....

Lexington, KY –The United States Equestrian Federation® has partnered with U.S. Bank to offer members a new way to support USEF equestrian teams in their quest to compete in international competition, including the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, with the new United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Platinum Card from U.S. Bank. “When our members sign up for a new card under the USEF—U.S. Bank credit card partnership, they can rest assured our USEF equestrian athletes will benefit...

The Mid-Atlantic Lipizzan Association (MALA), based in the mid-Atlantic region, named Holly Covey of Greenwood, DE, to the MALA 2005 Trainer Appreciation Award for 2005. Covey has handled both the champion and reserve champion Lipizzans at the 2005 Dressage at Devon breeding show, and also handled the champion Lipizzan at the 2005 Fair Hill DSHB Show. In addition, she helped coordinate Lipizzan horse entries, groom and assisted MALA members in the barn area at the shows. ~~~

Lexington, KY – Following a star-studded performance that warmed our hearts at the Athens Olympic Games more than a year ago, U.S. show jumpers Chris Kappler, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward and Peter Wylde will finally be awarded their Olympic Gold medals at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, just before the Gold Coast Jumper Classic Grand Prix at Circuit Finale in Wellington, FL. In addition, Kappler will be officially awarded the Individual Silver. “This is truly something for all of...