The Sport Horse Nationals Payback Program purchases of discounted breeding services to the many stallions enrolled for 2009 will commence on September 1, 2008. Purchases are conducted on a first-come-first-served basis at 50% of the stallion’s advertised fee for 2009. Included are world class Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Anglo-Arabians, Saddlebreds, Welsh, Friesians, Hackneys and others. Many are national or world champions, or have sired champions. The total number of stallions...

Did you know that some wilderness management agencies are trying to restrict the use of horses on public lands? Or that the U.S. Forest Service is planning new trail classifications, which might limit our activities? Did you hear about the new bill that could eliminate the current fees for accessing undeveloped federal land? The outcome of these kinds of concerns can have far-reaching consequences, yet they often come and go with little public awareness. But Back Country Horsemen of America...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Christine Eidson of St. Andrews Presbyterian College (NC); Danielle Aamodt of Centenary College (NJ); and Heather Ajzenman of Mount Holyoke College (MA) are the recipients of the 2008 USDF Intercollegiate/Interscholastic Membership Organization (IMO) Senior Athletic Achievement Awards. To be eligible for the IMO Senior Athletic Achievement Award, Intercollegiate/Interscholastic members (IMs) must have earned a minimum...

MaxWest Environmental Systems, Inc.m and Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) have announced a partnership to convert horse waste into renewable energy. Signed on June 19, the partnership will reduce horse waste while generating "green" energy for the Ocala/Marion County community. Ocala/Marion County is home to 431 Thoroughbred breeding and training farms covering more than 70,000 acres of Florida's prime, mineral-rich pastures. Since 1945, FTBOA has represented the...

The popular Gold Coast Horse Show Series wrapped up its fifth show of the seven show season on July 20 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Exhibitors entered over to 300 horses, attracted by the wide range of classes, the convenient schedule and outstanding staff. Laura Mormann especially appreciates the scheduling since she attends college near San Francisco. All of her classes are on one day so she is able to commute. "All my classes are on Saturday," she said. "I’m all done showing in one...

The human and animal kingdoms may be enjoying a quiet summer/winter weekend, depending on the hemisphere, but it is a key one for the horses taking part in the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games. On Friday, July 25, the first horses left from Europe (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and the United States (Atlanta, GA) on three flights to Hong Kong. All 33 horses—coming from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Korea, The Netherlands, and Switzerland—accompanied by 15 attendants...

The final week of the 2008 Atlanta Summer Classics did not disappoint competitors or spectators. With everything from the naming of Junior Poobah to hunter champions to grand prix arena thrills. Hardin Towell kicked off the final week of action with a victory in Thursday evening’s Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake presented by Flashpoint Media Services. A strong field of competitors took on-course designer Allen Rheinheimer. “It was pretty straight forward. Not overly technical.” Towell who won last...

Ponies will be the stars at two Langer Equestrian Group (LEG) shows this fall. The Woodside Labor Day Classic (August 29-September 1) features both the Northern California Pony Hunter Final and the Woodside Pony Equitation Championship, in addition to a full selection of pony hunter and equitation classes. Shaw’s Saddlery sponsors the Woodside Pony Equitation Championship and offers great prizes to top finishers. The winner will receive a gift certificate toward a new saddle, along with...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that the USEF Executive Committee recently approved the Kentucky Horse Park as the host of the 2009-2011 USEF National Pony Championships (Pony Finals). The Kentucky Horse Park has successfully hosted Pony Finals for the last three years. The tentative show dates are August 5-9, 2009; August 11-15, 2010; and August 10-14, 2011. Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC. submitted the bid for retaining Pony Finals at the...

Lexington, KY - Heidi White has withdrawn Northern Spy from the U.S. Olympic Team in eventing for veterinary reasons. Following the selection procedures, the USEF named replacement horse-and-rider combination Karen O’Connor/Mandiba to the U.S. Olympic Team in eventing. This will be O’Connor’s fourth Olympic Games. The following horse/rider combinations have been named to the 2008 US Olympic Team in Eventing: Rider/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner (in alphabetical order): Phillip...