Lexington, KY – George Morris, who was appointed to the Search Committee for the new U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe based on his credentials as a leading U.S. Show Jumping rider, trainer and coach, has resigned from the Committee effective January 24, 2005. The remaining members of the Search Committee are Karen O'Connor, Eric Straus, Chairman, Norman Dello Joio, Anne Kursinski, Jessica Ransehousen, and Robert Ridland. “After careful consideration I have decided to...

Lexington, KY —The Grand Ballroom was packed as United States Equestrian Federation members and staffers joined to celebrate the men and women of the media for their contributions to the coverage of equestrian sport in 2004. The USEF Media Awards Luncheon hosted a total of 12 industrious nominees January 13, at the Seelbach Hilton in Louisville, KY. These reporters, photographers, editors, managers and producers gathered from across the country to hear USEF President and Olympic Gold...

Lexington, KY —Last year, course designer Richard Jeffery of Dorsett, UK, set a record at the United States Equestrian Federation. He was the first to have been awarded Course Designer of the Year , on six separate occasions. Once again, Jeffery adds to that record winning streak, receiving the Mr. & Mrs. William C. Cox Memorial Trophy for a seventh time. In addition to the 2004 award, Jeffery enjoyed the title in 1989, 1990, 1994, 1999, 2002 and 2003. “He sets a pretty tough...

Lexington, KY —As the 2004 Horse of the Year season comes to a close, the Federation gears up for a new year of competition with the release of the 2005 Triple Point Competitions, for the Hackney/Harness, Roadster, and Saddlebred divisions. Each year, the corresponding discipline committees vote to assign triple point status to one competition in each of the twelve regions. Points won at these designated competitions are tripled, and will be applied to the standings for the 2005 USEF...

EQUESTRIAN magazine will publish its annual photo gallery and roster of national, zone, regional and district Horse of the Year champions in the March 2005 issue. Owners of Horse of the Year champions are invited to submit photos for publication in the photo gallery. Final standings will be available on the website on December 20, 2004. The mailing of notification letters will begin on December 20 as well. There is no charge for publication of these roster photos. Photo Guidelines • Color...

The United States Dressage Federation Competitive Rider's with Disabilities Committee is hosting a educational session for judges, trainers and instructors interested in working with riders with disabilities who have the potential and want to advance to the competitive level. The session is scheduled for March 5-6, 2005, and is being hosted by Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, IL. Jerry Schwartz, coach of the U.S. Team competing at the World Championship for disabled riders in Belgium 2003, respected...

State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout on Tuesday lifted an embargo on the importation of livestock, wild and exotic animals into Kentucky from Colorado that was enacted because of vesicular stomatitis (VS), ending the last of the VS-related restrictions that started with an outbreak in Texas last May. "These embargos have ended because there are no more active cases of vesicular stomatitis in these states," Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. "I appreciate the efforts of Dr. Stout and...

Equine Influenza is a viral respiratory disease that is highly contagious to susceptible horses. Outbreaks of the disease are occurring with increased frequency worldwide despite the widespread use of vaccines. The highly contagious nature of equine influenza means that it has the potential to seriously compromise international movement of horses. For a number of years the FEI rules have required an annual booster vaccination, but recent research indicates that, for many vaccines protection...

The Equestrian World Tsunami Fund will primarily focus on building schools, orphanages and medical facilities in Aceh (Indonesia). Aceh was selected because it is the worst hit area and more hundreds of thousands have lost everything and tens of thousands of children are now orphans. The Fund will be used for a long-term action besides building and equipping these facilities; in addition, their maintenance and upkeep will be ensured. The Executive Council for the KLGP Equestrian World Tsunami...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Annual Meeting and Youth Conference is set for Thursday through Saturday, February 17-19, at the Embassy Suites in Lexington, KY. The Annual Meeting is the one time each year when the membership meets formally and directly with the Association’s leadership. This year’s open forum is titled “Brainstorming the Future of The Saddlebred.” Leaders of the Association and other leading breeders, owners, professionals, experts, amateurs and those with...