March 2009 will consist of three American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Grand National prize program competitions. Conceived by dedicated owners, breeders and trainers, Grand National is a prize program for American Saddlebred horses, created to generate excitement in owning and showing this special breed of horse. The Grand National program is now in its 26th year, has awarded more than $2.8 million, and offered added prize money in more than 59 classes throughout 2008. This year, Grand National...

The 2009 American Saddlebred Registry Grand National competition schedule has been revised to include the Missouri State Fair, August 12-15, and the St. Louis National Charity, September 23-26. The designated Grand National Class for the Missouri State Fair is the Five-Gaited Championship. Likewise, the Western Country Pleasure Championship will serve as the Grand National Class for the St. Louis National Charity. Visit www.asha.net/asr-gn_showschedule to view the entire 2009 Grand National...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced that it will once again offer a live webcast of important activities at its annual convention, Thursday, February 12, through Saturday, February 14, at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY. The association’s website, www.saddlebred.com , will be utilized to broadcast the Saddlebred Convention worldwide. Those unable to attend will be able to watch and listen on Friday and Saturday during selected forums,...

Two of the many highlights planned for the American Saddlebred Horse Association Convention, held at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY, are the Charter Club Workshop, to be held on Thursday, February 12, beginning at 10 a.m., and the Amateur/Owner Training Forum on Friday, February 13, at 9:30 a.m. For all convention information, click here . Charter Clubs are essential to the promotion of the American Saddlebred and form the national backbone of the breed’s outreach....

In 2005, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) and Registry launched a program designating and supporting regional championship competitions around the country. Regional championships increase competitive opportunities for all types of horses and levels of competition, and are part of the association’s effort to improve public education and awareness of the breed throughout the nation. For further detailed and updated information on the regional championship program, including...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) Annual Convention and Youth Conference will be held Thursday, February 12, through Saturday, February 14, at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY. With registration set to begin on Thursday morning, the convention will consist of open meetings, forums, youth events, and multiple vendor exhibits, culminating in Saturday night’s Saddlebred Ball, also set to be held onsite at the Griffin Gate Marriott. Thursday afternoon the...

The deadline for nominating stallions to the American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) Grand National in order for all 2008 foals to be eligible for lifetime recording is Monday, December 1, 2008, with a 10-day grace period deadline of Thursday, December 11, 2008. A new lifetime Grand National stallion nomination fee schedule, based on the number of mares bred, is an inducement to recruit new stallions into the program. Stallions by a Grand National-nominated sire, or (even if by a non-nominated sire)...

The successful hunter rider and trainer Ken Smith will host the November clinic in the new series of monthly training sessions at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Friday, November 14. Smith is renowned as a competitor at the top levels of the sport, including the World Cup Hunter Rider Hunter Spectacular, and as a highly successful trainer of hunter and equitation riders throughout North America. Riders of all levels are welcome to participate in the clinic with Smith,...

With the competition season drawing to a close, final nominations from its membership for the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s (ASHA) individual awards are due at ASHA no later than the close of business Friday, October 31, 2008. Each year, the association’s highest honors are presented at the annual Saddlebred Ball, held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting. This year, both the Annual Meeting and the Ball will be held at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort in Lexington, KY, February...

Equestrian Events, Inc., has been honored with the 2008 Best of Lexington Award in the Special Events category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through...