Professional Auction Services, Inc., returns as manager of the American Hunter Pony Classic, the industry's premier auction of hunter ponies, for the tenth year. The record setting auction will be held in conjunction with the USEF Pony Finals to be held this year at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, August 10-13, with the auction taking place on August 9. The 2005 sale features 100 ponies, including seven ponies that are qualified for the 2005 Pony Finals. Other feature ponies include:...

The 2005 American Shetland Pony National Championship Congress show is set to kick-off August 3-6 at the Gordyville Arena in Gifford, IL. Last year's Shetland Pony Congress show drew record participation with over 500 entries from all over the United States. "We were pleased by the increased entries last year," said ASPC Executive Director Zona Schneider. "Shetland ponies are very versatile and compete in a variety of open competitions, so it is especially gratifying when we can draw a large...

Christian Rogge on board Monaco for owner Robert Skib of Tulsa, OK, won the $25,000 Juan Hernandez Memorial Grand Prix on July 16 at the Biltmore Estate Summer Classic. Rogge and the 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding had the first clear round among the starting field of 22 riders with a time of 77.453. During the jump-off, owner/rider Michael Tokaruk and Lord Byron of Cordova, TN, were edged into second place by a mere 0.07 seconds in the only other clean round of the jump-off. Course designer...

On October 20, 2005, the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) will host an American Riding Instructors Certification Program (ARICP) Test Center in conjunction with its National Riding Instructors Convention in Orlando, FL. The convention, October 20-23, features seminars, workshops and one-on-one consultations for instructors, equine business managers, stable owners, trainers and coaches. Those registering for both the convention and the ARICP Test Center pay a discount rate. The...

The International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA), the only official United States Equestrian Federation-recognized representative of the Friesian horse, has announced the schedule for their regional and national championships. For more information about recognized competitions for the Friesian-bred horse, or on membership to IFSHA, please contact the International Friesian Show Horse Association at www.friesianshowhorse.com , [email protected] or call (410) 658-4932....

The Paso Fino Foundation Youth Scholarship Committee announced that it has awarded $15,000 in scholarships to five deserving young members. The committee, which began working to fund the program in July 2004, has raised more than $60,000 to date. Scholarship applicants were judged on academic achievement, association activities, community service and financial need. In addition, each applicant was required to write an essay and submit letters of recommendation from teachers or community leaders....

In a nail biting finish, Cathy Weischhoff from Lexington, KY, and her Thoroughbred gelding, Ocotillo, jumped a textbook show jumping round to win the Advanced Horse Trials at Maui Jim Wayne, July 8-10, in Wayne, IN. This was a Gold Cup division which kicked off the mid-western section of the series. Second was Ursula Brush (who trains with Weischoff) riding Bru Maguire. The CIC** Division, also part of the USEA Gold Cup series, was won by Olympic veteran, Karen O'Connor on Mr. Ripley, owned...

Lexington, KY – The USEF has announced the team members and ponies which will be competing at the 2005 FEI World Combined Pony Driving Championships in Catton Park, England this week. The competition begins on Wednesday, July 13th, with the official inspection of ponies, followed by two days of dressage, the Marathon on Saturday, and Obstacle Driving on Sunday. United States Team Members are as follows: Sara Schmitt of Glen Gardner, NJ, with High Country Doc (1996 Morgan stallion, owned...

The 2005 Belgian Warmblood keuring is scheduled for August 17-30, covering 15 sites in the United States. The jury consists of two Belgian judges and the BWP/NAD president. Classes include: Foals of 2005, Mares Three to Six, Mares Seven and older, Stallions, and Yearling and Two-Year-Old Futurities. For details on locations and inspection criteria, visit www.belgianwarmblood.com .~~~

Lightning struck Tylord Farm in Benson, VT, during the early hours of June 14 in the form of a violent summer storm. Fire raged through their stallion barn/indoor arena, destroying the structure and killing all six horses stabled inside, including world-acclaimed Trakehner stallion, Enrico Caruso. Other horses losing their lives in the fire included Laiken's last son, Emelio; Trinidad, a three-year-old gelding by Leonardo da Vinci; and Lilli Bieler's young stallion, Leonardo da Vinci, also by...