The American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) annual Saddlebred Summit and Youth Conference opened Thursday morning, February 18, at the Lexington, KY, Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa, and a theme throughout will be honoring and recognizing breeding accomplishments. Thursday's schedule included any number of open committee meetings to consider and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing breeders today. The Charter Club Workshop on Thursday afternoon pays tribute to...

As the flowers begin to blossom and a new season begins, the Kentucky Spring Premier Horse Show is looking forward to “sprouting” some participation by making some major changes to the previous year’s show. In particular, the show has been moved to the new state-of-the-art indoor facility at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, which will house some of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games' events later this year. The new arena, footing and stabling is expected to enhance the experience...

The 2010 American Saddlebred Registry Grand National prize program schedule of competitions has been announced. This year, the Grand National features 28 shows offering 60 classes with over $136,000 offered in prize money for Grand National-eligible American Saddlebreds. In addition, competitions that have traditionally supported Grand National were entered into a drawing for three Grand National Championship Stakes. The following competitions will receive additional purse allotments of $5,000...

The highly lauded trainer and rider Geoff Teall will be conducting an equitation clinic entitled "Back to Basics" on January 12 at 3:45 p.m. at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Teall's clinic will be the first of a series of clinics sponsored by the Palm Beach Riding Academy in an effort to allow both riders and spectators access to some of the industry's top professionals. Participation in the clinic will be open to both junior and adult riders currently competing in a minimum...

With the competition season drawing to a close, the deadline to submit nominations for the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s (ASHA) individual awards are no later than the close of business Friday, October 30, 2009. Each year, the Association’s highest honors are presented at the annual Saddlebred Ball, held in conjunction with the ASHA Annual Convention and Youth Conference. This year both the Annual Meeting and the Saddlebred Ball will once again be held at the Griffin Gate Marriott...

The 2009 World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS), held annually in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair, was held at Louisville's Freedom Hall from Sunday, August 23, through Saturday, August 29. There was plenty of excitement at WCHS this year, as new World's Grand Champions were crowned in the Five-Gaited and Fine Harness World's Grand Championships, while the 2008 Three-Gaited World's Grand Champion repeated as such in 2009. Among a formidable field of competitors, as in each class,...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) held its annual World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS) Junior Judging Contest on Tuesday, August 25, at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY. Horse show judging is an important part of ASHA Youth Programs, as these contests are an educational way for young people to learn about judging in a fun environment, while being educated about class specifications and show procedures for judging American Saddlebreds. Any individual, age 17 and under, was...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Youth Committee has organized a three-day long scavenger hunt, sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Louis Johnson and Judy and Roy Werner of Redwing Farm, for ASHA Youth during the World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS) at the 2009 Kentucky State Fair (KSF). The scavenger hunt will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, at the Junior Judging section of Freedom Hall, and all Junior Exhibitors 17 and under are encouraged to participate. Participants must work...

The deadline to submit a Declaration of Intent to Show for the 2009 American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Futurity is 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2009. Nominated horses entered to compete in ASR Futurity classes at the 2009 World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS) must have a signed Declaration of Intent to Show completed and submitted, and the starting fee paid for each entry to the ASR Futurity Secretary, by 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2009. Prepayment for declarations may be sent to the ASR...

The 2009 Nominating Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has conducted its organizational meeting under the direction of Dr. Margaret C. McNeese, Chairman. Also on the committee are Nancy Boone, Barbara Molland, Shirley Trail, and Art Zubrod. The purpose of the committee is to prepare recommendations for ASHA directors to be elected to three-year terms beginning in February 2010. The Nominating Committee directed ASHA staff to undertake all possible means to solicit...