The EQUUS Foundation was born from the belief that the bond between horses and humans is very powerful and the realization that the impact of horses multiplies ten-fold for those with special needs. Riding makes me feel free . . . Horses help people walk, talk, connect, focus, behave, and learn. Engaging with horses helps people learn the meaning of trust and the value of partnership. Horses encourage people to live life as productively and independently as possible. Raising the bar for the...

Laura Linback and Whittaker MVNZ on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer (ESI Photography). Culpeper, VA --- Laura Linback of Mundelin, IL, and Woodrun's Whittaker MVNZ, whom they call "Fred" in the barn, had an amazing week at HITS Culpeper. Last Friday, they captured the win in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix and successfully followed up with a big win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida was...

Polle and Cachette Z (Al Cook Photo) Harrisburg, Penn. - The exciting Pennsylvania National Horse Show junior jumper action culminated with the $7,500 Randolph College/USEF National Junior Jumper Individual Overall Championship awarded to the rider with the least faults after three phases of competition. In the 18-horse field, two riders entered tonight's competition fault-free and both remained fault-free. Those two riders then entered a two-horse jump-off to decide the Gold and Silver Medals....

William Shatner and CH Call Me Ringo. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF. ) Lexington, KY - From the Opening Ceremonies to the daily breed demonstrations, the American Saddlebred has been represented by some of the best and the brightest of the breed, both human and equine alike. In what proved to be a wonderfully produced and perfectly orchestrated demonstration of the breed's best attributes, the American Saddlebred put on an impressive display during the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) convention will honor Saddlebred Stars of Saddle Seat Equitation in a unique setting on Friday evening, February 19. The Lexington Country Club on historic Paris Pike will be the site of the Cocktail Buffet beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. The new event was made possible this year when ongoing construction of the newly expanded Saddlebred Showcase at the American Saddlebred Museum in the Kentucky Horse Park prevented the usual Museum reception that...

This year’s prestigious Lexington Junior League Horse Show opened Monday evening, July 7, with a star-studded cast of the best American Saddlebreds in the world, among nearly a thousand horses and ponies entered for competition at The Red Mile. Two of the three reigning Saddlebred World’s Grand Champions, Grande Gil and CH Along Came A Spider, will meet all comers in the first jewel of the breed’s Triple Crown of competitions. Other shows in the Triple Crown are the Kentucky State Fair World’s...

At exactly 8:08 p.m. on August 8, the official one-year-to-go countdown to the 2008 Olympic Games was launched. Eight is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture. In general, eight is an auspicious number for Buddhists. In front of 10,000 people gathered on Tianan’men Square, with the Forbidden City as a backdrop, a sumptuous ceremony took place where Chinese culture and traditions were clearly on show. The International Olympic Committee President handed out the official invitations to the...

For 2006 and 2007, the FEI has agreed to the proposal put forward jointly by the United States and Canada regarding qualifications for the Junior and Young Rider Championships. A horse and rider must achieve a qualifying score(s) as a combination as follows: Level--Qualifications CH*-J--CCI* or 2 CIC* CH*-YR--CCI**, 2 CIC**; or CH* and CIC** These qualifications will be implemented along with the individual Area Selection Procedures for riders wishing to qualify for an Area Junior or Young...

The first American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) regional champions were named from the Northeastern regions made up of USEF Regions 11 and 12 at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA, October 19-October 22. In the open divisions, Whimsicality and Michael Richardson won the Five-Gaited Regional Championship, I’m Sky High and Francis A. Garone won the three-gaited championship and Definitely Dianna and Kaye Bowles Durnell won the fine harness championship. In the amateur...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced its 2005 Individual Annual Award winners with Marty Mueller, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Groves and Ray Sheffield receiving top honors. The winners will be recognized at the 2005 American Saddlebred Annual Meeting during the American Saddlebred Ball and Annual Prize Giving on Saturday, February 19, at the Keeneland Race Course Entertainment Center. Seven individuals will be honored at the Ball with the Association’s most prestigious...