Daphne Preece with Bon Orphco. (Photo courtesy of JRPR.) Wellington, FL - February 9, 2011 – Daphne Preece’s four-year-old Lusitano gelding, Bon Orphco, showed the judges he has what it takes to be a champion when he rode away with the High Score Lusitano Award at the Gold Coast Dressage Opener Festival CDI. Sponsored by the Lusitano Collection, hosts of The 2011 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction, the High Score Lusitano Award is presented to the highest scoring Lusitano at select...

Dressage Under the Stars kicked with musical freestyle winner, Chris Von Martels on Don Darveen (Photo courtesy of JRPR.) Wellington, FL – For the third year in a row, Dressage Under the Stars held patio-side at The Players Club Bar & Grille, is the place to be on Wednesday nights in Wellington. This year will bring another eight weeks of exciting rider and horse combinations competing for weekly prizes and an opportunity for riders to return the final week to perform in the grand finale. Chris...

Lexington, KY – The Executive Committee of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will meet to consider Extraordinary Rule Changes to clearly define the implementation of the Federation’s new helmet rule to breed competitions that offer dressage classes. The committee will meet later this month to discuss the changes, which will clarify the rule in the Andalusian, Arabian, Friesian and Morgan divisions of USEF Licensed Competitions. To review the latest memo regarding the use of...

Oklahoma City, OK – A group of enthusiastic young leaders are gearing up for an exciting year with the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA). Five outstanding youth members were recently elected by their peers to lead the NRHyA. After stating their goals for the year, they are ready to get their hands dirty to better the association they are proud to serve. The NRHyA annual meeting, which included officer elections, was held during the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American...

Effective March 1, 2011, the following rules apply to Dressage Competitions and Regular Competitions holding Dressage classes: 1. Riders under age 18 must wear protective headgear, as defined by DR120.5 and in compliance with GR801, at all times while mounted on the competition grounds. This includes non-competing riders as well as those competing at any level. 2. While on horses competing in national level tests (Fourth Level and below), riders must wear protective headgear as defined by DR120....

Wellington, FL - Equestrian Sport Productions is introducing a new two-part educational component to the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The two new series, the "Lunch & Learn" and "Ride & Learn," are designed to provide all FTI WEF participants and members of the Wellington community with creative and informative opportunities for further developing their skills and knowledge of the sport as a whole. The Lunch & Learn series will begin on January 20, and will take place every...

Nick Skelton and Unique (Photo © Sportfot, Official Sport Photographer of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival) Wellington, FL - The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began its competition January 12 with opening jumper classes in the International Arena. To start the year off right, Nick Skelton (GBR) was back in the saddle and in the winner's circle with Unique, owned by Beverly Widdowson, in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers. The first week of the FTI WEF runs through January 16. The...

2010 Junior Equestrian, Kelsey Kimbler. (Photo by Paschal Karl. ) Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce Kelsey Kimbler as the 2010 Junior Equestrian of the Year. This highest of honor offered to a junior equestrian comes on the heels of another big honor Kelsey earned earlier this month - the 2010 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award, sponsored by Breyer Animal Creations. This puts Kelsey in elite company, as one of only a handful of junior equestrians to...

South Daytona, FL - December 13, 2010 – The deadline date for nominations for the 10th annual Equine Industry Vision Award is on or before February 1, 2011. Pfizer Animal Health sponsors the award in partnership with American Horse Publications (AHP) and developed it to recognize outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the equine industry. The 2011 Equine Industry Vision Award will be presented on June 17, 2011 during the AHP Seminar in San Diego, CA. The award...

Buffalo, NY - Susie Schoellkopf of SBS Farms at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center in Buffalo, NY, was honored this past week at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Annual Meeting, which was held on December 6-9, 2011. Schoellkopf was given the President's Distinguished Service Award at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians Awards Dinner for the second year in a row. SBS Farms' Jennifer Alfano was also awarded at the dinner, as she earned The Rider Recognition Award for 2010. This...