Photo by Robbi Meisel (Aaron Vale and Platinum) The $25,000 Jacksonville A-Z Grand Prix sponsored by North Florida Hunter Jumper Association on January 30 closed out Week IV of competition with one of the most successful riders in show jumping, Aaron Vale, adding another win to his illustrious career. After a week of observation, course designer Allen Rheinheimer put all he learned about the starting field into a lengthy and technical 13 obstacle-16 effort test with a time allowance of 96 tight...

Besides delighting my readers with scintillating stories (we writers like to use words like "scintillating" because we think it makes us sound writerly), my main purpose for being at Sport Horse Nationals here in beautiful, damp Kentucky is to help out (in other words, provide slave labor for) my good friend and mentor, Patience Prine-Carr. This means that I get a lot of mane pulling and braiding practice every day. While it's good for me to get the practice, it's frustrating because...

(Lexington, KY) – The USEF has formed a Task Force to review current safety procedures at USEF competitions and to make recommendations to the USEF Safety Committee regarding possible changes to safety standards for licensed competitions, regardless of breed or discipline. “The USEF consistently monitors safety standards, they are not static, and they will consistently change with the growth of our sport and the technology available,” said Andrew Ellis, Co-Chairman of the Task Force and a...

Lifelong horseman R. Don Hulse, of Center, MO, died Tuesday morning, May 8, 2007, at age 92. During his life, he built a reputation as one of the top trainers and breeders of American Saddlebreds, stamping his name on the industry with one of the most prolific stallions in the breed’s history, Champagne Fizz. Hulse learned a lot about horses from his father, Dyas B. Hulse. Dyas operated a dry goods store in Center. When customers were unable to pay their bill, he would often accept horses in...

Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) stallion owners now have a unique opportunity to increase the presence of the Appaloosa horse internationally. The intent of this new program is to help Appaloosa stallion owners increase the volume of exports as well as expand the breeding options for international affiliate members. The ApHC Board of Directors voted at their March 2007 meeting to approve an International Registration Incentive Program (IRIP) that will create a much needed avenue for Appaloosa...

The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) Healthy Horses Workshop will be held Saturday, July 28, in Fort Collins, CO. Intended for horse enthusiasts interested in learning more about equine health care, the Healthy Horses Workshop will feature leading veterinary experts delivering the latest news and advances in horse health. This will be the first of two Healthy Horses Workshops slated for 2007, with the second workshop taking place on Saturday, December 1, in Orlando, FL....

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has formed a multi-year partnership with Platinum Performance, Inc., a California manufacturer of premium nutritional products for horses, companion animals and humans. Platinum Performance will be the “Official Sports Nutrition Supplement Company” and the title sponsor of the 2007 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Program for both the East and West Coasts. “The USEF welcomes the new partnership with Platinum Performance,” said USEF...

The Washington International Horse Show, one of the world’s leading equestrian events, will remain at Verizon Center, its home since 2000, for at least two more years. The contract extension ensures the show will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2008 in the heart of Washington, D.C., its namesake city. “Washington has been our home for almost half a century, and we are so pleased to be able to continue this very special equestrian tradition in this historic city. Verizon Center is part of our...

Lexington, KY—The 2007 USEF Pony Finals National Championships will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park from August 15-19, 2007. The five-day format, which was begun in 2006, will continue in 2007. The championships include the USEF National Pony Jumper Championship Individual, the USEF National Pony Jumper Championship Team, USEF Pony Medal Final, USEF National Green Hunter Pony Championships, and the USEF National Hunter Pony Championships. Today, the USEF Pony Finals National Championships is...

The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) is helping dreams of a college education come true for five National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) members. The RHSF recently awarded five $1,000 scholarships to help the high school seniors further excel in their future careers and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) competition. RHSF President Frank Costantini said it’s an honor to recognize the hard work of these youth members. “The RHSF is proud to award these scholarships to such...