Rider Aaron Vale of Aiken, SC, rode Alison Register’s 13-year-old Warmblood bay mare Alliance to a double-clear round victory over a field of 26 competitors in the H n’ D Stables’- and Wilton Connor Family-sponsored Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake on July 21. Alliance's first round time of 63.50 made him the third out of four mounts for Vale going into the jump-off. Their second clear round time of 34.70 was just one second enough to pull off the win. Pablo Barrios of Wellington, FL, aboard Wild Cat...

The USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program kicked off 2006 with the first of three official Selection Trials at the CDI Three-Star/Y Cincinnati and Spring Classic I & II, held May 13–15 at Paxton Farm in Batavia, OH. This USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Central Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships showcased the region’s most promising dressage prospects in their quest to qualify for Verden. In a new format this year, the Selection Trial competition is comprised of two...

FEI representatives met with leading footing specialists in Windsor, England, on May 16 for a brainstorming session which will likely provide the criteria upon which all future championship arena footing is to be based. The meeting, which drew riding surface experts from around the world, was a proactive response to the report of the FEI Working Group assigned to assess problems associated with footing after the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The round table discussion covered many areas, including...

In the past five years, Over the Walls Horse Trials at Great Meadowbrook Farm has become one of the premier horse trials in the world. However, due to increasing costs and a lack of adequate sponsorship, Erik Fleming and Torrance Watkins have decided to cancel their event. “It’s a bittersweet decision as we have loved working with the finest people to create the finest event for the finest horses,” said Watkins. In its five years of running, Over the Walls has attracted national and...

Scene from the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, May 30, 2004. (Courtesy HITS and Fionn Reilly/Ulster Publishing) Lexington, KY – Following a hotly contested open to the 2005 competition season in the warmer climates, and a highly-anticipated fight for the prize at the World Cup Finals in April, claiming the title of U.S. National Champion will be yet another challenge facing some of equestrian sport’s best athletes in June. Truly a headliner competition for the United States Equestrian...

Lexington, KY --The nations’ best reiners will be coming to the heart of Kentucky in 2005, as a result of the combined efforts of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). The USEF Open Reining Championship will be the headliner class at Fiesta in the Park—a new show that offers reining and hunter-jumper events, side by side in the Kentucky Horse Park. The show, slated for August...

The Paso Fino Horse Association’s 32nd Annual Grand National Horse Show was held, September 19-25 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, GA. Employees of the fairgrounds put forth the extra effort to get stalls prepared for those needing to arrive early to escape the wrath of Hurricane Ivan and to remain during Hurricane Jeanne. Though the weather kept a few people away, 822 horses and more than 1,700 entries, ridden by youth and adults, were slated to compete for a...

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (US Equestrian) is pleased to continue the partnership with Pulse Veterinary Technologies, LLC, also known as PulseVet , as the Official Shock Wave Supplier of US Equestrian. “PulseVet has a standout reputation for quality, innovation, and thorough research, and we are proud to continue this partnership,” said US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney. “US Equestrian is pleased to be associated with a company that supports...

Chester Weber & Misdee Wrigley-Miller (Photo's from respective Facebook pages) Windsor, England – “Mr. Dressage” Chester Weber has impressed again, this time with a stellar 31.38 score in the dressage test at the Royal Windsor CAI3*. That score puts Chester and his four-in-hand team more than four penalties ahead of Australia’s Boyd Excell, who is in second place after dressage. Weber’s compatriot Misdee Wrigley-Miller earned a spot in the top ten with 52.80...

Lexington, Ky. - We mourn the loss of a great veterinarian and personality in equestrian sport in the United States. Dr. Midge Leitch passed away on February 15, 2014 following a long illness. Leitch was a longtime member of the United States Equestrian Team having served at team veterinarian for numerous dressage and driving teams in addition to lending her expertise to eventing teams. She accompanied many U.S. teams on international trips including medal winning efforts at Pan American Games,...