The finalized membership of the FEI Dressage Task Force is as follows: —Frank Kemperman (NED), chairman and representative of the event organizers; —Richard Davison (GBR), riders representative; —Robert Dover (USA), trainers representative; —Alain Francqueville (FRA), chef d’équipe —Katrina Wuest (GER), judges representative; —Elizabeth Max-Theurer (AUT), owners representative The aim of having this representation is to enable the key stakeholder groups to...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) would like to extend thanks and gratitude to the Eventing Selectors who have served the US Eventing program from 2005-2009. Chairman Peter Green, Bea DiGrazia, Ann Getchell, Ann Taylor, and Mark Weissbecker have selected three championship teams. They chose the horse/rider combinations that made up the fourth placed team and earned an individual bronze at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. The following year they selected the team that went to Rio de...

Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year Alysheba stepped off of a horse van on October 31, and into a new life at the Kentucky Horse Park. After spending the last eight years in the royal stables of HM King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, Alysheba returned to the state where he was foaled, as a generous gesture from the king. Frank McGovern, general manager of the king’s Janadria Farm, was at the park to turn Alysheba over to the park’s executive director, John Nicholson, who accepted the horse...

Lexington, KY – A mutual decision has been made not to renew the contract of USEF National Dressage Coach Klaus Balkenhol which expires at the end of 2008. The decision between Balkenhol and the USEF’s High Performance Dressage Committee means that his role as Chef d’Equipe, National Dressage Coach and Technical Advisor to the Committee shall be concluded according to the terms of the existing contract on December 31, 2008. In recognition of Balkenhol’s excellent service to the USEF over the...

Are soaring gas and feed prices making a hole in your pocket? Horse owners across the country are feeling the strain of our current economy and are being forced to make tough choices on how to spend their hard-earned money. Chris Cox realizes that and wants to make it possible for those who can’t personally attend his Ride the Journey tour in Albuquerque, NM, to still benefit from the event. The two-time Road to the Horse Champion has generously decided to make the content of this final tour...

The richest team show jumping event in the world, the $350,000 BMO Nations' Cup, takes place on Saturday, September 6, at Canada’s premiere show jumping event, the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament near Calgary, Alberta. “In the wake of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Canada’s Silver medal in the team jumping competition, this year’s event should be more exciting than ever,” said Bill Downe, President and Chief Executive Officer of BMO Financial Group. “We are privileged to have such an...

Don’t miss the final tour stop of 2008 as master horseman Chris Cox brings his Ride the Journey tour to Albuquerque, NM. Gear up for a memorable two-day learning experience as Cox takes to the arena on October 18 and 19 at Expo New Mexico. Two-time Road to the Horse Champion and popular clinician, Cox knows how to share a lifetime of knowledge in ways that inspire and enlighten. His approach to horsemanship is all about building a willing, working partnership on a firm foundation. Cox’ RFD-TV...

Popular clinician and horse trainer Clinton Anderson is opening the doors to his new Downunder Horsemanship Facility and marking 10 years of business. Located in the heart of cowboy country, the new office complex sits on the edge of Stephenville, TX, on Highway 377 North. The public is invited to attend the facility’s Grand Opening and 10th Year Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, September 30. The festivities, which include refreshments, tours, a ribbon cutting and live music entertainment...

The Sport Horse Nationals Payback Program purchases of discounted breeding services to the many stallions enrolled for 2009 will commence on September 1, 2008. Purchases are conducted on a first-come-first-served basis at 50% of the stallion’s advertised fee for 2009. Included are world class Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Anglo-Arabians, Saddlebreds, Welsh, Friesians, Hackneys and others. Many are national or world champions, or have sired champions. The total number of stallions...

Lexington, KY – To assist breed shows with financial challenges, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) offers the 2008 Outreach Grant program, which provides assistance to various USEF breed competitions. And even though the competition season is under way, it’s not too late to apply for a USEF grant. The USEF grant program assists financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. The grants are available on a first come, first...