The Executive Committee periodically meets to review and approve extraordinary rule changes and rule clarifications. You can find summaries of rules approved by visiting www.usef.org/_IFrames/RuleBook/Changes/2009.aspx . These rule changes have also been incorporated into the online USEF Rule Book . The online rule book is continually updated with new rule changes and corrections; it is always the most complete version of the rules.

In observation of World Rabies Day, September 28, 2009, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) urges veterinarians and horse owners to vaccinate horses annually for rabies. When a horse is infected with rabies, the outcome is invariably fatal. But taking the simple step of ensuring an annual vaccination for your horse will nearly eliminate your horse’s risk of contracting this deadly disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42 cases of rabies were...

Next month the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and the Markey Cancer Foundation will host the first annual gala in honor of Betsy Fishback, a beloved member of the sport horse community. Scheduled for September 18, 2009, the gala will be held during the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix, a World Cup Qualifier and the final class in the Hagyard Challenge Series. This grand prix show jumping event will be the very first grand prix held in the new indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. General...

The Hunter Development Incentive Fund (HDIF) was created by the United States Hunter Jumper Association's (USHJA) Breeders Committee to recognize and reward breeders and owners of American-bred hunters. The program is currently open for nominations and is offering special limited-time discounts for stallion and horse owners. The HDIF will work from a points-based system to award financial bonuses to those who breed and show American-born hunters. Each point earned at a USHJA-approved event by a...

For the first time, Lexington, KY, known as the Horse Capital of the World to some, will host the Seventh Annual Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Sport Horse Nationals), September 22-27, 2009. Competitors will compete in more than 80 different sport horse classes across four divisions, including sport horse in-hand and under-saddle, dressage, pleasure carriage driving and hunter/jumper. Sport Horse Nationals, which has alternated venues in the East and West...

Mark your calendars for the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix, which is a World Cup Qualifier and the final class in the Hagyard Challenge Series. Scheduled for September 18, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., this event will be the very first grand prix held in the new indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. All spectators are welcome and are encouraged to fill the stands. Sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, the Hagyard Challenge Series is a summer-long competition that includes seven grand prix...

Future Event Horse (FEH) classes will be held in conjunction with the Irish Draugth Horse Society of North America's 2009 Annual Horse Show. The FEH classes will be held on Thursday, October 1, in Lexington, VA, at the Virginia Horse Center. This will be a great opportunity to get your babies used to showing as the Virginia Horse Center is the same venue where the FEH Championships will be held on October 30. Remember there is no qualifying score needed to attend the championships; the only...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has added additional items to its Youth Auction, held annually during the Kentucky State Fair (KSF) and World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS). Among the items up for bid at the 2009 ASHA Youth Auction are two tickets to the sold out Taylor Swift concert, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 30. Included with the concert tickets is a night's stay at the Crowne Plaza hotel on the evening of the concert. Another "big ticket" item that will be up...

The 2009 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing moves to North America for the first time this year, with this weekend’s 7th leg at Kalispell in Montana (July 23-26). The annual event at Rebecca Farm has attracted 19 entries from US and Canadian riders, including dual Olympian Amy Tryon (USA), who this time rides Leyland, 13th at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in April. Canadian Olympian Hawley Bennett brings two horses, her Athens veteran Livingstone and Gin N Juice, and Jil Walton, a member of the...

The Chincoteague pony herd is thought to be descended from animals aboard a wrecked 16th century Spanish ship, but today the herd is getting 21st century health care. Again this year, the herd is receiving donated vaccinations and deworming products from Merial, maker of Recombitek® Equine West Nile Virus (WNV) vaccine, Imrab® rabies vaccine and Zimecterin® Gold (ivermectin/praziquantel). These products represent health care technology used by top equine competitors—but even wild ponies...