Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the 2008 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program and application process for horse shows who are interested in offering the program to young equestrians for the upcoming competition season.

Opportunities to participate in the Emerson Burr program will be offered in each of the 1-10 continental zones and also at the 2008 USEF Pony Finals National Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. This program is open to Ponies, Green Ponies and Children’s Hunter Ponies. Young riders can only compete in their zone and at Pony Finals in the following age groups— age 8 and under, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-years-old and older.

The program consisted of two tests— a written test and a hands-on horsemanship test. The young equestrians in each of the four age groups who score the highest on the written test moved on to the hands-on horsemanship test. The highest scoring child in each age group in each zone will receive a $100 monetary grant for furthering their education or offsetting equestrian-related costs; for Pony Finals the grant will be for $500 for each age group.

The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards program was created in 2002 by friends and family of the late Emerson Burr to promote and perpetuate good horsemanship in younger equestrians.

The 2008 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program sponsor, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, is a worldwide leader in equine healthcare and a strong supporter of the sport horse community. The Lexington Kentucky veterinary practice is also the Official Equine Hospital and Veterinary Partner of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Rood & Riddle provides hospital and ambulatory veterinary services and is dedicated to the care of the horse.

For more information, including horse shows who are interested in offering the program or making a donation, please contact Marion Maybank, USEF Director of Hunter and Collegiate Activities, at (859) 225-2033 or via email at [email protected].