Jeff Wonnell, a lifelong consummate horseman who assisted with the introduction of the Friesian breed to the Federation, passed away on November 21, 2007, from injuries related to an accidental fall at his Branson West, MO, home. He was 86. For the past seven decades, Wonnell’s accomplishments were as a horseman, trainer, mentor, breeder and friend, each documented by countless championships and the horses he was responsible for breeding and showing. Wonnell never ceased to serve the equine...

If you aren’t fortunate enough to attend this year’s United States Eventing Association's Annual Meeting and Convention, presented by Nutrena, in Colorado Springs, you can still listen in on the action at the pinnacle forum: the G10 Summit. The USEA’s Group of 10 (G10), a day-long national forum for the ten Areas of the United States, will be held on Saturday, December 8, beginning at 8 a.m. MST. Check out the convention schedule on the USEA Convention webpage for exact times for each section,...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to offer another opportunity for its members to attend the Succeed®/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference featuring Jan Brink, the current Swedish National Dressage Champion for the fifth year in a row. The conference is set for January 20-21, 2008 at High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, FL. In addition to the two-day conference, the Palm Beach Dressage Derby is pleased to offer a Biomechanics Seminar on the Pyramid of Training with Dr....

For everyone aiming for the 2008 Wellpride United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC), the qualifications are now available on the USEA website, www.useventing.com . Just click on the Wellpride AEC button on the right side of the homepage and follow the links. There are two items referring to the qualifications. The first, called 2008 Wellpride AEC Complete Qualifications, gives the qualification information in its entirety. The other, called 2008 Wellpride...

During the FEI Bureau Meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 15-16, 2007, the following items were brought to the attention of the Bureau for information and approval following the two meetings of the FEI Dressage Committee held in Turin, Italy, May 14-15 and September 3, 2007. 1) Safety at Prize-Giving Ceremonies: Due to the increased safety risk for riders and horses, the International Dressage Riders Club (IDRC) proposed that new recommendations should be made for prize-giving...

Cara Cheska, Alexandra Wolff, Lindsay Ramar and Tina Dilandri emerged as champions of the 2007 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series conducted its largest series ever in 2007, with classes at 102 horse shows across the nation. This gave competitors an abundance of opportunities to accumulate points throughout the year. The series featured separate divisions for amateur-owner and junior riders with standings kept separately for East...

Lexington, KY - Beezie Madden, on the merits of a stellar season which included winning the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen in Germany with Authentic, has reinforced her prominence on the world stage by qualifying for the International Jumping Riders’ Club (IJRC) Top-10 Final presented by Rolex to be held at the CSI-W Geneva in Switzerland on December 8. Madden plans on riding her superstar Authentic at the Final. Authentic was the 2006 Farnam/USEF Horse of the Year, Team and Individual silver...

Congress has recessed for the Thanksgiving holidays and will return the week of December 3. At that time, the Senate will again take up the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419). The Senate has been considering the bill for several weeks but has been unable to reach agreement on how it will proceed. Democrats and Republicans differ on how many amendments should be allowed to be offered. Nearly 200 amendments have been filed that various Senators wish to offer when the Senate returns to the bill after the...

U.S. endurance competitors were up to the task at the World Endurance Championship Test Event in Teregganu, Malaysia, November 10-11, 2007. Despite torrential rain and muddy conditions, two American combinations finished in the top ten. Kathy Brunjes from Maine riding her own Theatric finished fifth, just inches in front of her fellow countryman John Crandell III. Crandell, from Virginia, was sixth riding Heraldic. Interestingly, these geldings are ¾ siblings. They are both by Statistic and...

The competition will be fierce at the 2008 EQUUS Equestrian Idol Musical Talent Show on Saturday, February 9, 2008. Taylor Blauweiss, the first Equestrian Idol, will open the show to a line-up of talented equestrians vying for the title of 2008 Equestrian Idol, including the 2007 finalists Patricia Griffith, Brian Lookabill and Ki-Juan Minors. The event benefits The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., and will be held at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Are you an Equestrian Idol hopeful?...