Lexington, KY –The United States Equestrian Federation® has partnered with U.S. Bank to offer members a new way to support USEF equestrian teams in their quest to compete in international competition, including the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, with the new United States Equestrian Federation Visa® Platinum Card from U.S. Bank. “When our members sign up for a new card under the USEF—U.S. Bank credit card partnership, they can rest assured our USEF equestrian athletes will benefit...

By Phelps Media Group The program was created by friends and family of Burr to promote and perpetuate good horsemanship in younger equestrians in 2002, and has been held at the USEF Pony Final National Championships solely until now. Children participating take a written horsemanship test, based on their age group. The winners of the written test in each age group then take a hands-on horsemanship test. The four winners, one from each age group, receive a monetary grant towards furthering their...

A presidential modification in the application of EQ118.16(e)1 has been granted for the 2006 competition year. This presidential modification changes the previous restriction that required nine-year-old riders to canter if they had already shown in the walk/trot division for two competition years in the 10 & Under UPHA Challenge Cup Championship. The rule as it will apply for the 2006 competition year reads: 10 & Under Walk/Trot Challenge Cup. Open to riders 10 years of age and under. A walk...

Meeting by teleconference, the 2006 American Saddlebred Registry Board of Directors elected officers on Monday, March 13. The nine directors are Joan Hamilton (Kentucky), David Howard (Tennessee), Dr. Rick Luft (Wisconsin), Spencer Mains (North Carolina), Mary Ann Pardieck (Indiana), Dr. Alan Raun (Iowa), Jim Ruwoldt (Georgia), Fred Sarver (Kentucky) and Anne Stafford (Tennessee). With extended discussion on each position, the following were elected unanimously: Fred Sarver as president, Joan...

The FEI Eventing World Cup at the Galway Downs International Horse Trials will have something for everyone when the three-day equestrian event opens on March 31. More than 350 riders from seven countries and their horses will compete for more than $35,000 in cash and prizes at Galway Downs, a world class equestrian facility in Temecula that has hosted the prestigious World Cup Series events for the past three years. Galway Downs is the site of one of only four World Cup Series events in North...

Lexington, KY – Collecting Gaits Farm of Alpharetta, Georgia will again sponsor the USEF National Grand Prix and Intermediare I Dressage Championships. Both competitions will take place at the USET Foundation Dressage Festival of Champions, June 15-18 2006, in Gladstone, New Jersey. These competitions will also serve as the selection trials for the 2006 World Equestrian Games. Collecting Gait Farm is owned by Jeff and Shereen Fuqua. “We take great pride in supporting equestrian sports through...

Lexington, KY – The inaugural meeting of the newly created Carriage Pleasure Driving Committee was held on March 7, 2006, at the USEF Lexington office. The focus of this committee is to develop more opportunities for growth with a broader range of competitions to attend; to monitor and support new rules brought forward from the discipline affiliate, the American Driving Society; and to promote and expand the Horse of the Year and high-point awards. There are 19 members of this new affiliate...

Lexington, KY – Becker College, with campuses in Worcester and Leicester, MA, has joined title sponsor Pessoa, as one of the major sponsors of the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final. As the presenting sponsor, Becker College will receive national exposure in the equestrian world. The annual October event will now be known as the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals presented by Becker College. “It is an honor for Becker College to be associated with the USEF, and the prestigious Hunter Seat Medal...

Lexington, KY – Sonja Keating has been named as Associate General Counsel for the USEF. She was previously associated with the Lexington office of the Cincinnati-based law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, where she practiced in the litigation department. A native of Lexington, Keating attended Transylvania University for her undergraduate degree and then obtained her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1996. Keating will work closely with Julie Goodman, General Counsel and...

Show jumping fans from around the world gathered for opening day of the final week of action at the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington and were greeted with beautiful sunny skies and mild temperatures. The CN Wellington Finale CSIO*****, the last week of show jumping before the festival moves on to Tampa for the final two weeks of competition, got underway on Wednesday at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. Wednesday’s mid-morning featured event was the 1.45 m Time First Round...