The 2009/2010 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which kicks off with preliminary classes at the Palexpo Arena in Geneva tomorrow (Wednesday), has been blown wide open by the late withdrawal of Ireland's Jessica Kuerten. When three-times champion Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who gave birth to her first baby just six weeks ago, confirmed last week that she will not defend the title, then Kuerten's position as long-time favorite was further strengthened. But the Irish rider who topped...

Photo Courtesy American Vaulting Association (Patti Skipton of Warm Beach Vaulters received the AVA's Trainer for the Year Award for 2009.) At their recent Annual Convention, the American Vaulting Association (AVA) presented Lifetime Achievement Awards, the highest award of the AVA, to Jeffrey Ashton Moore and Jan F. Garrod, whose efforts over the past 40 years have been instrumental to the recognition, growth and continued high standards of the sport of equestrian vaulting. At the same event,...

The USEF Eventing Owners' High Performance Task Force and the Professional Riders Organization will hold an Open Owner’s Forum on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 5:30 PM. All interested parties are invited to attend and learn about ownership options in the sport. The Farmhouse, located at the Kentucky Horse Park on Nina Bonnie Boulevard and Cigar Lane, will once again host the forum. Featured speakers include: Phillip Dutton, Samantha Lendl, Mark Hart and David O’Connor. Topics will cover various...

Fifth Third Bank has joined the sponsorship ranks of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as both the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Experience and the Official Community Bank of the Games. Fifth Third Bank, as presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Experience, is supporting the showcase of the state’s tourism destinations to hundreds of thousands of Games visitors. The Kentucky Experience will be a series of spectacular pavilions encompassing over 25,000-plus square feet in the heart...

McLain Ward and Sapphire Look to go One Better in 2010 (Shannon Brinkman/ USEF Archives) Lexington, KY - With 10 riders representing the United States at the 2010 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final (April 15-18), the American assault on Geneva looks very strong. Led by 2009 runner-up McLain Ward and his legendary Sapphire, the 34-year-old will look to go one better in Switzerland than they did in Las Vegas one year ago. Fortunately, they won't have the fleet-footed Shutterfly to chase as the defending...

Photo by JumpShot Photography (Susan Hutchison and El Dorado 29’s Cantano) With wonderful weather and a superb turnout, the second week of the Blenheim Spring Classic series ended Sunday. The $35,000 Blenheim Spring Classic II Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon hosted not only a hill full of spectators but also 25 entrants representing five countries. Showing over a challenging course set by Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge, only one jumped clean. For the ninth time in their partnership, Susan Hutchison...

Have horses? Want to save money on your taxes? If you haven't ever heard of Section 179 and don't feel like reading all 1,071 pages of the Economic Stimulus Bill to find out just how much money the clause could let you save on taxes, then you might want to keep reading this article. To avoid cutting a larger-than-necessary check to the IRS come April 15, ask your tax professional if you qualify for a Section 179 deduction. Two key phrases to mention: 1. Expensing Allowance, 2. Bonus...

The American Horse Council has announced that the theme for this year’s National Issues Forum is “Emerging Diseases: a Challenge to the Industry.” This forum, which will be co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), and the AHC will be held June 21-22 in Washington, DC, as part of the AHC’s annual meeting. The annual meeting will run from June 20 to 23 and also include a Trails Forum, the annual Congressional Ride-In, AHC committee...

With regret, the American Hanoverian Society (AHS) announces the passing of Elite Stallion Amaretto D II. The chestnut 24-year-old Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar stallion died April 12 following an acute bout of colic. Amaretto D II (Alexis x Gandria, by Gotthard) completed his stallion performance test at Muenster-Handorf in 1991, placing 19th of 54 entries, for a final score of 107.21. He was licensed by the Hanoverian Verband in 1994 and, following his importation by Wendy Davis Gerrish's October Hill...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Land Rover North America jointly announced today that Land Rover will be the official vehicle sponsor of the USEF for 2010. In addition to its status as Official Vehicle of the USEF in 2010, Land Rover will also be the title sponsor of the U.S. Eventing Team, set to compete at this year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, September 25 - October 10, in Lexington, KY. "Land Rover represents premium performance and success," says...