March 26, 2008 - 8PM EDT Although still in the ICU Darren continues his gradual improvement, responding to commands and moving his extremities with more consistency. His left lung remains problematic with a chest tube still in place and draining fluids. Cognitively he is more alert, and able to identify familiar faces. The hospital staff is pleased with his progress. Please see Darren's website: www.eventrider.com for the most recent updates. We have set up an emergency designated fund in...

Ocala, FL ­– Two USEF National Driving Championships are up for grabs at the CAI-A Ocala running March 27-30, 2008. Known as the Live Oak Plantation Combined Driving Event presented by Budweiser, the showcase of the country's best drivers and horses is taking place at Chester Weber's Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, FL. The competition also serves as the second USEF Selection Trial for two of the World Driving Championships. The USEF Single Horse Championship got the day started and dressage was...

The Queen City Classic returns April 9-13, 2008, for the spring show season with a new location and USEF AA-rated classes, including a $25,000 Hunter Challenge. This year’s event will be held in Monroe, NC, at the “Why Not an American Ark” Equestrian Facility, located outside of the Charlotte area. “We are delighted to have the Queen City Classic coming to the Ark. To bring such an event to this part of Charlotte is great for the area,” commented Jeff Wylie of the facility. The show grounds...

The participants for the 23rd FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final are ready and waiting, having all arrived at the ‘Brabanthallen stables in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, where the prestigious title will be awarded for the eighth time. This is the first truly international meet of the season, and with the Olympic Games looming in the not-so-distant future, eyes will be riveted on every performance, particularly when it comes to title defender Isabell Werth with powerful chestnut Warum Nicht FRH against home...

The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, held at the scenic Kentucky Horse Park, have increased the prize money for this year's two-week event. Scheduled for the weeks of May 7-11 and May 14-18, 2008, the Kentucky Horse Shows upped the ante for the Sunday grand prix classes. The $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix CSI*** and the $55,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI***, a member event of the American Grand Prix Association (AGA) Grand Prix Series, have both raised their prize money up from $50,000. The...

Stadium Jumping, Inc., is pleased to announce that it will present a $20,000 International Hunter Derby on April 6, 2008. This special High-Performance Hunter class will be hosted by Wrenwood Farms in Naples, FL. The International Hunter Derby is a return to the tradition and roots of the show hunters, where horses and riders will tackle a course of banks, stone walls, hedges, coops and more set in an open field. The class will be run under a two-round format, with Round One as a traditional...

Morgan trainer Tristanne Weber Childress, 34, of Siler City, NC, passed away March 17, 2008, following a short illness. Weber was born and raised in Colorado where she attended Evergreen High School before moving to Tulsa, OK, to train with her Morgan horses. She attended college while beginning her career as a professional horse trainer. Horses and her husband, Ed Childress, were her passion. Prior to opening her own training facility, Silhouette Training Stables, Weber was trainer at...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced that it has created a new Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed to enable members and businesses to receive the most up-to-date USDF news and headlines. RSS is an internet protocol that transmits a news feed in real time and is automatically updated as new items become available. These feeds make it possible for people to keep up with all of the current news and happenings at USDF on their personal webpages or homepage, with RSS capabilities....

March 26, 2008 - 8PM EDT Although still in the ICU Darren continues his gradual improvement, responding to commands and moving his extremities with more consistency. His left lung remains problematic with a chest tube still in place and draining fluids. Cognitively he is more alert, and able to identify familiar faces. The hospital staff is pleased with his progress. Please see Darren's website: www.eventrider.com for the most recent updates. We have set up an emergency designated fund in...

Lexington, KY ­– The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is currently accepting applications for the 2008 World Endurance Championship CEI****. Scheduled for November 5-9, 2008 in Terengganu, Malaysia, the USEF is expecting to send six horse/rider combinations to the World Championships. Athletes on the Endurance National Training List should apply no later than May 31, 2008. Athletes who are not currently on the Endurance National Training List may apply as Wild Card Selections. The...