The phrase "learning from the best" took on a whole new meaning for the 14 riders who participated in a clinic with two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, December 5-6. Ward helped the United States show jumping team win Gold medals at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, and has won major titles at some of the most prestigious horse shows in the world, including the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix at the Hampton Classic Horse Show and the $1 million CN...

With the close of the 2009 competition year and in anticipation of the United States Equestrian Federation’s annual Pegasus Awards celebration in January, the Federation is proud to announce the candidates in line to become the coveted 2009 Equestrian of the Year. Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, these seven stars of equestrian sport across breed and discipline have each been named recipients of one of seven different competitive trophies awarded during the Pegasus Awards on January 16...

Registrations are still being accepted for the EQUUS Foundation/United States Equestrian Federation Youth Convention scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2010, at the Louisville Marriott Downtown in Louisville, KY. The convention unites youth from around the country and helps to nurture and develop a growing interest in equestrian sport. This all-day event will include a Star Power Panel of top athletes from USEF-recognized breeds and disciplines who will speak with the youth about their...

The International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC), in partnership with the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), has launched a major new initiative to recognize the world’s best rider according to the Rolex Rankings. Starting at the 2009 Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in Paris, the leading rider will wear a green and gold armband featuring the words "Number 1, The Rolex Rankings" at FEI Jumping events throughout 2010. The Rolex Rankings are updated every week and officially released at the start of...

Stephen Rojek and Kathy Brunjes at the President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi (Kathy Brunjes Photo) Endurance athlete Stephen Rojek was named the recipient of the 2009 Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award. The award, sponsored by Gold Medal Farm's Larry and Valerie Kanavy, is given out annually to the Endurance Rider who earns the most points in a competition year at designated FEI Endurance competitions. Rojek (South Woodstock, VT) won the Ocala CEI3* with Sambet and had top 10 finishes at the...

The 2009 Cinch® National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Non Pro Futurity Finals were the featured competition on Friday at the NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship (NAAC) Show in Oklahoma City, OK. Nearly two dozen countries have been competing at the show over the past nine days with nine riders from four countries advancing to the $120,000 added Cinch/NRHA Non Pro Futurity Finals. In draw two in the second section of the Non Pro finals, reigning champion and NRHA’s...

Karin Offield and her internationally celebrated dressage competition and breeding stallion, Lingh, announce their intention to stay at Flyinge, the National Stud of Sweden, for a second season of breeding. Offield talks about Lingh and the New News. "I was thrilled when I was asked if Lingh could stay for another season of breeding at Flyinge. Lingh will clearly benefit from their newly expanded, export qualified breeding station. It's a modern accommodation that will enable Flyinge to ship...

Iron Spring Farm's important KWPN stallion Rampal passed away last week, November 11, 2009, due to the infirmities of old age. The 26-year-old stallion was known not only for his incredible competition record, which included being short listed for the United States Equestrian Team, but also for his contributions to the sport horse world as a sire. His offspring have been competitive through the international levels of both show jumping and dressage. His son Ovation ISF won at such shows as CSIO...

Lexington, KY - In July, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announced a new contest for 2009 designed to let USEF members vote for their "Favorite USEF Breed Competition." The idea behind the contest was to award and promote the USEF licensed breed competitions for their efforts in running a show so well that exhibitors want to call it their favorite. Also, the contest gave exhibitors the opportunity to provide positive feedback about the competitions to the USEF. The exhibitors and...

The Sport Horse Nationals (SHN) Payback Program celebrated its second year anniversary in November, having raised a grand total of over $119,000 for exhibitors in these first two years. Funds were raised through the sales of donated stallion breeding services sold to the public at half-price. All money raised goes into payouts as no revenues are utilized for administration. Included in the offered services are world-class Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Anglo-Arabians, Saddlebreds, Welsh,...