The membership of the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) elected officers during the 2005 PFHA Board of Directors and Membership Convention held January 14–16, at the Sofitel Hotel in Miami, FL. The officers elected were as follows: President: Robin Ratliff of Lamont, FL Vice President: Sharon Londoño of Covington, LA Secretary: Lee Vulgaris of Marion, MA Treasurer: Tony Coleman of Dade City, FL In addition to the above officers, Charles Minter Jr., of Lexington, NC, was appointed as Director...

Entering its sixth year of competition, the Winter Equestrian Festival Equitation Championship for the R.W. Mutch Trophy is a showcase for the season’s top young riders. This year’s championship will be held during the CSIO**** United States – CN Finale on Saturday, March 12, 2005. The competition takes place in the afternoon as the featured event in the Grand Hunter Ring. The R. W. Mutch Educational Foundation sponsors the R. W. Equitation Classic. The trophy is named for Ronnie Mutch, a...

On August 5-7, 2005, the Over the Walls Horse Trials will take place in Hardwick, MA. Riders and spectators alike will enjoy the marvelous facilities and beautiful grounds at Great Meadowbrook Farm, the site of the event. With top-notch competition taking place, a trade fair with numerous booths offering an abundance of equine products and gifts for sale, everyone will find something to enjoy. Eventing is the equestrian version of a triathlon: one rider and one horse compete together in...

Lexington, KY —Aaron Ralston captured the win in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Open Reining Championship Qualifier at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO on Monday, January 10. The International Reining Competition (CRI) was the second in the USEF series, but the first for the Carbondale, CO resident, who defeated a group of veterans on Smart Paul Olena. “It’s amazing to be able to compete with the likes of these guys,” said Ralston. “I...

Rule Changes Address Safety Concerns at Recognized Competitions Lexington, KY – Consistent with one of the primary missions of the United States Equestrian Federation, which is to ensure the safety and welfare of both horses and riders, two important rule changes were approved at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors held in Louisville, Kentucky on January 16th . These changes should significantly contribute to safety at recognized USEF competitions. They involve the operation of...

USEF Archive/Geoff Oliver Bugbee (USEF President David O'Connor at the 2005 Annual Meeting.) Lexington, KY – Yesterday at the 2005 Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, the Board of Directors of the United States Equestrian Federation overwhelmingly approved all of the rule changes relating to the recommendations of the Competition Date Task Force. The Task Force has been working for 10 months on a major overhaul of the current “mileage rule” which dictates how competition...

USEF Honors its Stars of 2004 at Athletes’ Luncheon and Pegasus Awards Dinner Louisville, KY —Friday proved to be a day of widespread celebration at the 2005 USEF Annual Meeting as two special events brought audiences to their feet with thunderous applause and accolades for athletes and honorees. During the Friday Recognition Luncheon in honor of Athletes and Owners, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation presented the coveted Whitney Stone Memorial Cup to one of the...

USEF President and Pegasus Awards Dinner emcee David O'Connor presents the Equestrian of the Year Trophy to the 2004 winner Kim Severson. (Dr. Mike Tomlinson) Friday proved to be a day of widespread celebration at the 2005 USEF Annual Meeting as two special events brought audiences to their feet with thunderous applause and accolades for the national, international and Olympic-level athletes that were saluted for their competitive efforts and hard work in 2004. In addition, those honored during...

Lexington, KY - Contrary to media reports, no change in the disposition of the medals in the 2004 Olympic Team Show Jumping competition has yet been made by the Federation Equestre International (FEI) the international governing body of equestrian sport or by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The USEF has not been notified of any change in the medals. The German rider on the gold medal winning team whom the FEI Judicial Committee has disqualified from the competition still has the...

Today, the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET Foundation) announced that Chris Kappler, one of the world’s most successful show-jumping riders, is the recipient of the 2005 Whitney Stone Memorial Cup. For the past 25 years, the USET Foundation has honored an individual who has achieved a distinguished record in international competition while also serving as an ambassador for the USET Foundation and equestrian sports. “We are proud to award the 2005 Whitney Stone Memorial Cup to...