Lexington, KY— This year’s USEF Horses of Honor have been decided and your vote will be an integral part of deciding which of the nation’s leading equines will be named the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year.

With the 2009 USEF Annual Meeting around the corner, all heads are turning to five finalists in anticipation of which horse will be adorned with the title of Horse of the Year—one of the most prestigious awards the USEF bestows. This year’s winner will join dressage superstar Brentina (2005 winner) jumping superstar Authentic (2006 winner) and the late eventing great Theodore O’Connor (2007 winner).

All of the finalists for Horse of the Year will be recognized during the Horse of the Year gala at the USEF Annual Meeting on Friday, January 16, with the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year Award topping off the evening. The Annual Meeting will be held January 14-18 in Cincinnati, OH. For more information about the Annual Meeting, visit www.usef.org and click on the “2009 Annual Meeting” link near the bottom of the homepage.

Any USEF member can vote for the Farnam®/Platform™ USEF Horse of the Year. Voting is now open so go to www.usef.org and scroll down to the end of the page where there will be a Horse of the Year voting link on the bottom left corner of the homepage. Voting for Horse of the Year will close on January 9, 2009 at 5 p.m. EST.


Adams Fire – 1/18/2002
Half-Arabian
Owned by Starline Arabians, LLC

Adams Fire is a supremely gifted individual. His dominance and bar-raising performances in the show arena is evidenced by his eight National Championships in three years of showing. It is also evidenced in the way he wins, with seven of his eight National Championship titles being unanimous. In 2008, Adam carried three different riders- a youth, an adult amateur, and a professional- to unanimous National Championships. This is a testament not only to his physical talents, but his intelligence and willing temperament. Adam is pleased to accommodate different riding styles and adapt to diverse needs. He is a blend of physical and mental attributes that nears perfection.
Adam has the distinction of being crowned the 2008 U.S. National Champion in Half- Arabian English Pleasure Open after a spectacular class, followed by a work-off of three outstanding entries. The entire crowd rose to their feet and cheered the first U.S. Nationals work-off in 30 years as Adams Fire emerged victorious!
Adam represents 50% Arabian blood. In the historical tradition of Arabian blood being used to enhance other breeds, Adam is an exceptional representative. The refined beauty, intelligence, responsiveness, and agility possessed by the Arabian horse, and lent to other breeds over the millennium, are unmistakable every day in Adams Fire.
2008 Accomplishments:
o 2008 Unanimous U.S. Youth National Champion Half-Arabian English Pleasure
o 2008 Unanimous U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian English Pleasure Adult Amateur Owner to Ride
o 2008 Unanimous U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian English Pleasure Open

Previous Accomplishments:
o 2007 Unanimous U.S. National Half-Arabian English Pleasure Driving Horse
o 2007 U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian English Pleasure Adult Amateur Owner to Ride (1st, 1st, 2nd)
o 2006 Unanimous U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian English Pleasure Junior Horse
o 2006 Unanimous Canadian National Champion Half-Arabian English Pleasure Junior Horse
o 2005 Unanimous U.S. National Champion Half-Arabian English Pleasure Futurity Horse at three years old


Dante FQ - 5/8/2001
Friesian
Owner: Friesian Quest, LLC
Dante FQ a seven-year-old Friesian stallion, bred and raised by Tammy Hildreth and Robert Hildreth DVM, Friesian Quest LLC, in Southern California, brings into focus the amazing athleticism and versatility of a breed whose athletic talent is often overpowered by its stunning beauty. At 17.2-hands,