Please remember that the FEI has issued new Junior Tests (Preliminary, Team and Individual) which have been in effect since January 1, 2006. Previous test editions may not be used, and competitions which continue to use outdated versions will be subject to penalty, and competitors’ scores may not count towards qualifications. All FEI score sheets are now available for free download from the FEI website at www.horsesport.org . ~~~

The United States Equestrian Federation is excited to announce the appointment of Scott Hassler of Colora, MD, as the USEF National Young Horse Dressage Coach. Pursuant to this appointment, USEF will be immediately putting together two young horse training sessions in March--one in Wellington, FL, and another in Burbank, CA. Applications are now being accepted for four-, five-, six-, or seven-year-old young horses for this exciting training opportunity. Application deadline is Friday, March 3,...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (AHSA) and American Saddlebred Registry, which conduct their annual meetings in Lexington, KY, this week, announced results for the year ending December 31, 2005. On a consolidated basis, net income for the two combined corporations doubled to $168,145 from year-ago figures, from $83,713. Combined revenues rose $174,464 or 10%, to $1,928,291 from $1,753,827, net of the Registry’s prize programs, which accounted for another $548,535 in gross revenues,...

The American Horse Council (AHC) 2006 National Issues Forum (NIF) is right around the corner. It will be held in Washington, DC, April 3-5. The AHC NIF will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capital Hill. To make room reservations, call (800) 228-3360 or (202) 737-1234 and ask for the American Horse Council rate of $219 per night. You can also make reservations online at www.hyattregencywashington.com and enter the internet code G-AHOC to get the AHC rate. The cut-off date for...

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States, will hold its annual convention in Texas for the first time in 2006. The two-day program of seminars, informational meetings and a free trade show is set for February 24-25 at the Crowne Plaza Riverwalk in San Antonio. Leading experts in equine health care and endurance-related fields will be featured at several seminar sessions. Other highlights of the AERC's convention will...

Lexington, KY - The Florida Classic horse show in Wellington will host a qualifier for the 2006 FEI Children’s International Jumping Final this Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19. Please note that, unlike the past two years, the 2006 Children’s Final will NOT be held in the U.S. What this means is that U.S. riders are considered “foreign” and will be invited according to the FEI Children’s International Jumping Competition rules using the worldwide standings listed on the FEI’s web site at...

Wellington Dressage at the 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival wrapped up on Sunday, February 5, following four days of dressage competition at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL. More than 200 horses from across the country competed in the four-ring show, which included 60 classes encompassing Training Level through Grand Prix. Featured classes were the qualifying competitions for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games Selection Trials, and qualifiers for the 2006 Collecting Gaits...

As a reminder to all riders and owners of four-, five- and six-year-old dressage horses, scores for the 2006 USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program may be earned at USEF/USDF-licensed dressage competitions. For your convenience, USEF has compiled a list of official "qualifying competitions." These competitions have notified USEF that they will be offering Young Horse Tests in accordance with 2006 USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program Selection Procedures during the qualifying period of...

A clear round for Brandie Holloway on the little mare she fell in love with was all it took to win Sunday's $25,000 Grand Prix during the opening week of the HITS Arizona Winter Circuit. Out of a starting field of 25 horse-and-rider combinations, Holloway and S&L So Be It was the only pair to master Mike Gallaway's challenging first-round course. Gallaway's course was a sweeping series of combinations with a last line that included an oxer to a vertical to an oxer double-combination finish. A...

Richard Spooner couldn't catch his breath. The Indio Desert Circuit's all-time leading money winner had five mounts in the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix, and he brought three into the jump-off. Quirino 3 delivered Spooner another victory, posting the jump-off's best time of 39.36. Ezrah also had a clean-round at 40.08 giving him second place in the competition. His third mount, Airtime, smacked into jump 12, a white and blue vertical jump near the end of the course, leaving him sixth. In the opening...