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Breaking US Equestrian news releases contain the latest information regarding the organization, national championships, U.S. athletes and teams in international competition, breed news, and important member alerts. Manage the news you receive at the US Equestrian Preference Center.

Accomplished Dressage Athlete Carol J. Plough Passes Away in Riverside, CA

by gaillardm | May 18, 2005, 5:12 AM

Carol J. Plough May 5, 1955 – May 16, 2005 Lexington, KY – Accomplished dressage athlete and Olympic hopeful Carol J. Plough suddenly passed away in Riverside, California on Monday, May 16, 2005. The United States Equestrian Federation and its members join the equestrian world in expressing deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Known as an accomplished horsewoman with a natural gift for putting people at ease, Carol was well-loved in and out of the dressage ring. In 2004, Carol was...

USDF Congratulates New 'L' Program Graduates

by By the United States Dressage Federation | May 12, 2005, 10:39 AM

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has announced that ten USDF members successfully completed the USDF "L" Education Program in March and April 2005. The USDF "L" Education Program is designed not only to prepare candidates for and fulfill the requirement to enter the United States Equestrian Federation "r" Judges Training Program, but also to qualify individuals to judge schooling shows; to give competitors, trainers and instructors greater insight into the evaluative techniques of...

2005 FEI European Endurance Championship Cancelled

by By the International Equestrian Federation | May 12, 2005, 9:02 AM

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) announced on May 9 that the Organizing Committee of the European Endurance Championships, due to take place on August 6, 2005 in Stourhead House, Wiltshire, Great Britain, had taken the decision to cancel the event. The Organizing Committee (OC) commented, “The level of total funds available had not reached initial expectations, requiring the OC to take action now.” John Hudson, a member of the Organizing Committee went on to say, “The Organizing...

2005 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships Cancelled

by Sarah Lane | May 11, 2005, 4:18 PM

Lexington, KY – The 2005 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships, scheduled for June 16-18 in Gladstone, NJ, have been cancelled. Please revise your schedules and press notes accordingly. The Championships will likely be rescheduled for 2006.~~~For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager at (859) 225-6974 or via e-mail at [email protected]. USEF press releases are available on our web site – www.usef.org.

Rich Fellers Takes the $100,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del Mar at the 60th Del Mar National Horse Show

by By Linda Zweig | May 11, 2005, 2:52 PM

The 60th annual Del Mar National Horse Show came to a climax on Saturday with the $100,000 HBO Grand Prix of Del Mar. There were 27 entries, and for the second year in a row, Rich Fellers riding McGuinness took home the grand prize. Second place went to Leslie Steele and her horse AW Butterfly Hula. Third place went to Carlson, owned and ridden by Guillermo Obligado. The grand prix course was designed by world-renowned Olympic course designer, Leopoldo Palacios of Caracas, Venezuela. World Cup,...

Pippa Funnell Gains Her Third Badminton Title

by By Badminton Horse Trials | May 11, 2005, 2:22 PM

For the third time in four years, British leading lady rider Pippa Funnell dominated the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, leading from start to finish with Primmore’s Pride. An inspiring dressage test put them at the top of the leaderboard on day one. Whilst collecting time penalties on the cross-country, the combination jumped clear to retain the lead. In the show jumping when it mattered most, the pair jumped another clear round to secure the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy and the £50,000...

This Weekend The Jersey Fresh CCI*** Becomes America’s Newest Three-Star Event

by Sarah Evers | May 11, 2005, 12:32 PM

This weekend you can see the precision and grace of dressage, endurance and speed of cross country and the power and agility of show jumping at the Jersey Fresh CCI***/CCI** Three-Day Event, May 11-15, 2005, at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown. Attendees will be able to walk the course as the riders do, shop at the many vendors and watch the competitors and horses go through their paces. Become a patron and enjoy special hospitality, parties and box seats for the dressage and jumping...

Dressage at Devon to Host 2005 USEF National Junior Dressage Team Championship

by By Classic Communications | May 11, 2005, 12:28 PM

Twelve of the nation’s most talented junior dressage riders will be invited to enter the venerable Dixon Oval at the 31st Dressage at Devon for the 2005 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Junior Dressage Team Championship. The late September event will be the culmination of a year-long qualifying period in which juniors, ages 14-18, ride to their best scores in international level tests. In this competition, the riders will be divided into three teams; all four members of each team will...

Smart Chic Olena Reaches A New Milestone

by By Carol Trimmer, NRHA | May 11, 2005, 12:01 PM

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) is pleased to announce that NRHA Hall of Famer Smart Chic Olena has become an NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire. Owned by Jim Babcock, of Valley View, TX, he joins Hollywood Dun It and Topsail Whiz as the third sire to achieve this distinction. In NRHA competition, Smart Chic Olena's 376 money-earning offspring have reached an earnings total of $3,033,204.60, with average earnings of $4,513.70. Not surprising, his highest money-earning offspring to...

Certified Horsemanship Association Launches a New Youth Program

by By Christy Landwehr, CHA | May 11, 2005, 11:52 AM

The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) just launched TEAM CHA for kids 15 years old and younger. For only $15 a year, youth members will receive one free issue of Blaze Magazine , quarterly newsletters with a lot of fun activities, a membership card and sticker and a chance to win great prizes by just hanging around with horses. Kids, regardless of if they own a horse or not, can earn great prizes by being involved with horses in the Horse Connection Reward Program. Activities, such as...