The battle to earn berths in the FEI World Cup Dressage Final 2005 continues to rage in countries around the world as the date of the Final approaches. After a fierce qualifying season in the Canadian League, Leslie Reid of Langley, BC, won the Canadian League World Cup Dressage final qualifier, earning the right to represent Canada in the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, which will be held along with the FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas, NV, April 20-24, 2005. Seven riders took...

Courtesy Seelbach Hilton Hotel (The Seelbach Hilton Hotel is the location for the 2005 USEF Annual Meeting.) In a place where equine traditions run deep and Southern hospitality is the rule, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) gathered its members from far and wide to host its 2005 Annual Meeting. Scheduled across five days, the event lays the foundation for a panorama of meetings, think-tank forums and boardroom sessions. In addition, the much-anticipated award programs provide...

Lexington, KY —The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the newest supplier of horse blankets to the Federation—Blue Ribbon Custom Blankets by Royal Riders. Holding a rich tradition of excellence in equine clothing, Royal Riders has been producing some of the best horse blankets in the industry for nearly 30 years; hunter and equitation enthusiast Janet Graham has been at the helm for the last 13. Graham says the company has evolved quite a bit since its...

Los Angeles, CA —As the 2004 season comes to a close, West Coast League riders step out of their saddles for a moment to reflect on five rounds of World Cup qualifiers that have determined their standings at the halfway mark. Separated by only a few points, Richard Spooner, Joie Gatlin and Gabriella Salick maintain an incredibly close race for the three World Cup slots afforded to the League. A tenth place finish atop Hilton Flight (Bay Irish Sport Horse gelding; Errigal...

The American Horse Council reports that the Department of Agriculture has taken another step toward the implementation of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to trace animal movements in case of a major disease outbreak. “This action has been expected,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “USDA must amend several federal regulations to foster the establishment of the national animal ID system. The changes do not impose any identification requirements on horses, but they are another step...

The red, white and blue were all over the Dixon Oval at the “Born in the USA” Awards at the 30th Annual Dressage at Devon Horse Show. High-scorers in 11 Breed Division categories were adorned with bright, patriotic rosettes and awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a stall plaque and a “Born in the USA” commemorative medal. The owners and breeders shared a generous purse in excess of $10,000, with 75% going to the owners, and 25% to the breeders. The two high scorers received sashes and coolers...

On the initiative of the Jumping Committee, the FEI Executive Board has approved the creation of an Independent Temporary Committee to establish why a number of horses received tendon injuries during the jumping competitions at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and to produce recommendations for the future. The Temporary Committee comprises the following persons: Edouard de Rothschild (FRA), Chairman Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), Member Jack Snyder (USA), Member Robert Jolicoeur (CAN), Member Thomas...

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF) will offer free admission to the 2004 BET/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final-East, October 9-10, at the Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ. The nation’s top equitation riders under the age of 21, who have qualified through their placement in regional BET/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search classes throughout the qualifying year, will gather in Gladstone to compete in one of the nation's most prestigious equitation finals. The BET/USEF...

The 2004 United States Olympic Eventing Team will practice on Thursday, August 12th and the media is invited to attend from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. The riders will be available for interviews. The practice schedule has not yet been finalized. All of the Olympic Equestrian events will take place at the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre, where the practice session will be held. Members of the Eventing Team are as follows: Darren Chiacchia, 39, Springville, NY, riding Windfall II Julie Burns...

The United States Equestrian Federation deeply regrets the passing of Cindy Burge of Spokane, Washington. Ms. Burge was critically injured Saturday, July 24th at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana, where she was competing in the Open Preliminary division when her horse tripped and fell on her while galloping on the flat. She passed away July 28th at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, Montana. “I first met Cindy when her family was preparing for the first Deep Creek Horse Trials,”...