Lexington, KY— The 2008 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Junior Hunter Championships-West Coast was conducted in three phases over the course of two days. The first two phases, the Under Saddle and the Handy Hunter, were held on August 12, and the third phase, the Classic Round, was held on August 13. The courses for the Classic Round and the Handy Hunter phase were both beautiful and challenging, designed by Scott Starnes. This was the first year that scores in the Classic...

Kent Farrington of Wellington, FL, rode Up Chiqui to win the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix, the final event of the six-week Vermont Summer Festival held July 9-August 17 in East Dorset, VT. Twenty-four riders tackled course designer Pierre Jolicoeur’s track with eight jumping clear to advance to the jump-off where it all came down to the tightest turns. “I thought the first round was very friendly, just the right amount of riders went clear and we had a nice jump-off,” said...

The management of the Capital Challenge Horse Show has once again introduced an innovative class to their competitive show. Held this year September 27 through October 5 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD, the prestigious event will feature an exciting new $5,000 hunter class for emerging professionals. The $5,000 Emerging Pro Challenge will give riders competing in the professional divisions (future hunter, green working, green conformation, regular working, and regular...

Ponies will be the stars at two Langer Equestrian Group (LEG) shows this fall. The Woodside Labor Day Classic (August 29-September 1) features both the Northern California Pony Hunter Final and the Woodside Pony Equitation Championship, in addition to a full selection of pony hunter and equitation classes. Shaw’s Saddlery sponsors the Woodside Pony Equitation Championship and offers great prizes to top finishers. The winner will receive a gift certificate toward a new saddle, along with...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that sales of their Horses Inspire Olympic Rings have raised in excess of $40,000 for the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). Over the next couple of months, that number is expected to double. The Horses Inspire Olympic Rings are bracelets made of red, white, and blue rings imprinted with “achieve,” “believe,” and “dream,” held together by a Team USA and an Olympic Rings clasp. Passion clasps may be added to...

The very first International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Reining Championship will be held in Manerbio, Italy, September 11-14, 2008, at the Palasturla facility. The FEI competition will be organized by the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE), with the technical support of the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA). Invitations have been formally extended to all Foreign National Federations (NF) with the ability to enter one team. Each team can be comprised of a minimum of three...

The American Saddle Horse Breeders Futurity of Wisconsin announced that it will once again host the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s National Pleasure Equitation Championship. The national championship attracts exhibitors from across the United States and is a “must do” for the most accomplished pleasure equitation competitors. The competition includes rail work followed by a workout. Competitors are scored using a numerical scale by each of the three judges. Scores for rail work and the...

Riding For Reading, a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting reading, literacy and education through equestrian sports and activities, is pleased to announce that its Riding For Reading Class will be held at three different shows during the summer. The Riding For Reading Class at the Golden Gate Classic, July 4, in Woodside, CA, will kick off the summer. “I believe that reading is the most important aspect of a child’s education," stated Show Manager Chris Collman. “After all,...

The committee of the 2009 Morgan Weanling Gala is pleased to announce that the following stallions have been nominated by their owners to the Inaugural Morgan Weanling Gala to be held in Springfield, IL, in August of 2009. Astronomicalee, Beethoven, Belalugosi, Bellerophon, Bocelli, Born to Boogie, Cartier, Centerpiece, Century Nightmusic, CCR's Outrajus Corajus, Favorite Son, Fifth Avenue Flaire, Grand Cru Don Perignon, Hollybrook Stage Rage, JW That Special Flaire, Man In Motion, MEM The...

Lexington, KY- The 2008 CN North American Junior and Young Rider Championship (NAJYRC), presented by Gotham North, will be held at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO, on July 30-August 3, 2008. Reining has officially been added to the NAJYRC this year. In preparation for the NAJYRC, two up-and-coming young riders are blogging about their experiences. Jackie Hoyt, 15, of Malius, NY is looking to qualify with her horse Anuther Smart Winner a.k.a Tyson. Hoyt and Tyson have been together for...