Breaking US Equestrian news releases contain the latest information regarding the organization, national championships, U.S. athletes and teams in international competition, breed news, and important member alerts. Manage the news you receive at the US Equestrian Preference Center.

Thrilling Competition to Spice up the Devon Show

by By Sara Cavanaugh | 4/7/2005 11:36:00 AM

Members of the show jumping team that won the Silver medal at last summer’s Olympic Games in Athens will compete in the jumper divisions and in two thrilling grand prix classes at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, which runs May 26-June 4. In a thrilling duel for this year’s top honors, Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, Open Jumper Champion for four of the last six years, will take on Olympians Chris Kappler of Hunterdon in Pittstown, NJ, Open Jumping Leading Rider at Devon two years...

Over $4 Million in Annual Sweepstakes Prize Money Available to Arabian Owners

by By Molly Benstein, AHA | 4/7/2005 11:19:00 AM

In 2004, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) paid out almost $3 million of a $4.6 million available pot in International Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes (Sweepstakes) prize money to eligible horses and scholarship recipients. Most prize money was won at the 18 regional shows where more than $3 million is available in addition to $261,000 in gelding incentive, an extra 25% paid to Arabian geldings competing in performance classes. At Canadian and U.S. Nationals, competitors vie for more than $1...

Heidemann Wins FEI World Cup Qualifier at Galway Downs

by By Chris Stafford | 4/6/2005 4:59:00 AM

Jessica Heidemann, 24, of Bellingham, WA, captured the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) at Galway Downs, CA, on April 3 on her 14-year-old Thoroughbred-cross gelding, French Twist, with a score of 58.4. Heidemann took over the lead after the overnight leader, Lauren Whitlock, 20, of Rohnert Park, CA, and her 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Kipling, lowered the oxer at fence seven to drop to second place on 60.1 penalties. Sara Mittleider, 19, Kuna, ID, with the 10-year-old Thoroughbred...

Debbie McDonald Commands Respect; Joins Morse, Seidel and Dover in Trip to Las Vegas for World Cup

by by Jennifer Keeler | 4/5/2005 11:41:44 AM

Burbank, CA — R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That’s exactly what Debbie McDonald earned from officials, competitors and spectators alike as she rode Brentina to victory in the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix Freestyle Championship and U.S. League Final in Burbank, California this weekend. Strutting through a freestyle program to the sound of Aretha Franklin, Olympic Team Bronze medalist McDonald and Brentina earned the winning score of 77.975% and a standing ovation in defending her 2004 title. Riding her...

Strong Field of International Riders Prepare for Competition at Galway Downs

by By Chris Stafford | 3/31/2005 9:09:00 AM

Riders from Germany, Canada and Mexico will be competing against some 300 U.S. entries at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials, Temecula, CA, April 1-3, 2005. The FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) has a strong field of 16 riders, including Natalie Rooney Pitts, of Napa, CA, who finished eighth at last year’s qualifier with Aladdin to make the finals. Lauren Whitlock, of Rohnert Park, CA, who came fifth aboard Kipling last year will also be back, as will James Moore who, in 2004,...

8 East Coast Riders Advance to 2005 Budweiser FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final; Ward, Kraut, Frey, Kursinski, Riley, Hough, Bloomberg and King to Face the World in Las Vegas

by by Sarah Lane | 3/31/2005 1:00:00 AM

Candice King, Lauren Hough, Laura Kraut, Georgina Bloomberg and Anne Kursinski. Not shown: McLain Ward, Kim Frey and Schuyler Riley. (Courtesy Randi Muster/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the eight East Coast show jumpers who will represent the nation during the 2005 Budweiser FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Las Vegas, April 20-24. They are: McLain Ward of Brewster, New York, Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc,...

Five USEF Riders Contend for Two World Cup Slots at the Dressage League Final this Weekend

by by Jennifer Keeler and Sarah Lane | 3/28/2005 2:51:00 AM

Debbie McDonald on Brentina during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens (Bob Langrish) Lexington, KY – The best and brightest dressage stars will battle it out in Burbank, California this weekend, in a show-down that will determine who will ride at the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final Presented by Offield Farms, in Las Vegas, April 20-24. Tickets to the World Cup won’t come easily though, with a red-hot roster waiting to take home the title at the U.S. Grand Prix Freestyle...

2005 Garden State Horse Show Features New Classes and New Hunter Annex

by By Classic Communications | 3/23/2005 9:46:08 AM

The 54th annual Garden State Horse Show returns to the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ, May 4-8, 2005, with a line-up of special featured classes and some exciting new additions for exhibitors and spectators alike. The Garden State Horse Show, presented by the Junior Essex Troop, Inc., features several classes and two jumper sections that are new for this year. In the jumper division, a new pony jumper section has been added, highlighted by the $500 North American League (NAL) Pony...

Certified Horsemanship Association International Conference Set for September

by By Christy Landwehr | 3/23/2005 9:33:00 AM

The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) International Annual Conference will be held September 22-25, 2005, at Camp Berachah in Auburn, WA. The conference is open to the public and includes mounted workshops for participants, lessons on great performance horses from master level certified instructors, top veterinarians and farriers and much more. An evening Seattle Harbor cruise is also offered. This event is the only equine conference in the country where the host site provides horses for...

Tim McQuay Wins USEF Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup

by By Jamie Saults | 3/23/2005 4:11:00 AM

Courtesy NRHA (Tim McQuay and Dun Gotta Gun at the 2004 Tulsa Classic (shown here). The pair recently won the USEF Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup.) Lexington, KY – Reining icon Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX, won the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Open Reining Championship Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup in Gifford, IL, on Saturday, March 19. Riding Dun Gotta Gun owned by Jerry Kimmel, McQuay made it look easy receiving the top score of 228.5 besting the field of...