The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announced that results for the year ending December 31, 2004, marked record highs in several areas. Net earnings for the year were $148,938 compared to $24,032 the previous year, prior to consideration of unrealized gains in investments either year, on revenues of $1.575 million in 2004 versus $1.473 million in the prior year. Including unrealized gains in investments, earnings doubled, from approximately $90,000 to nearly $181,000. Membership in...

Scene from the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, May 30, 2004. (Courtesy HITS and Fionn Reilly/Ulster Publishing) Lexington, KY – Following a hotly contested open to the 2005 competition season in the warmer climates, and a highly-anticipated fight for the prize at the World Cup Finals in April, claiming the title of U.S. National Champion will be yet another challenge facing some of equestrian sport’s best athletes in June. Truly a headliner competition for the United States Equestrian...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce details pertaining to the 2005 Mid-Year Board of Directors Meeting. This year’s gathering will bring the Board together in the heart of Kentucky, July 12th at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington. This landmark hotel is attached to the famed 23,000-seat Rupp Arena, known to host some of the most highly acclaimed sporting and entertainment events in the nation. The Hyatt is also connected by convenient skywalks to world-class...

As equestrians, we’re no strangers to travel. Our horses aren’t either. We travel for competitions, for business, and on chance occasions when sunshine lures us out of the barn, we sometimes travel just for fun. Regardless of our reasons, we know what we want on these trips. We want value. We want no-hassle solutions. We want peace of mind. And whenever possible, we want simple one-stop answers that offer all of the above! Try renting a car from Hertz. Trips become a little more...

The world’s best eventers will begin their quest for the coveted Grand Slam of Eventing April 28 - May 1, and it all starts in the Horse Capital of the World – Lexington, Kentucky. As the only four-star three day event hosted in the United States, Rolex Kentucky will draw tens of thousands of fans from all across the globe, and millions of television viewers shortly thereafter. After a successful 2004 telecast, NBC sports will air the popular event again this year, on Sunday, May 8, from 4-5 p....

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced the riders who will represent the United States at the CSIO Wellington, March 9-13 during the Winter Equestrian Festival at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL. The USEF has also announced that Frank Chapot will serve as chef d’equipe. Under the direction of Chapot, 2004 Olympic Show Jumping Team Silver medalists McLain Ward and Beezie Madden will join Kimberly Frey and Lauren Hough...

Indio, CA – With only two World Cup qualifiers left for the West Coast League, Nicole Simpson stakes a new claim in the top spot, positioning herself 15 points ahead of second ranked rider Joie Gatlin. Simpson now boasts an impressive 81 points to Gatlin’s 66. Last week’s first-ranked Richard Spooner is in third place following this latest qualifier, with 65 points. These top contenders are among nearly 30 West Coast riders vying for the three World Cup spots the League is...

View of the show jumping course at the 2003 World Cup Finals. (Jan Gyllensten) Some of the world’s best riders and horses are placing their bets on Las Vegas this year, eager to see if their scores from earlier qualifying competitions will be enough to earn a ticket to the entertainment capital of the world in April. If they make the final cut, they’ll join the ranks of dozens of world-class athletes, each hoping their skill, combined with Lady Luck, will earn the coveted title of...

Wellington Dressage, the first of the three major dressage shows at the Winter Equestrian Festival, drew to a close on February 6 with the musical freestyle competitions and a special awards ceremony hosted in the Internationale Arena. Leading the musical freestyle winners, was show superstar, Ashley Holzer. Holzer won the $2,000 FEI Grand Prix Freestyle aboard her dynamic Dutch stallion, Imperioso, with a score of 71.583%. Holzer also won the $1,500 FEI Intermediaire-I Freestyle riding Pop Art...

Joe and Sally Jackson and the Kentucky Horse Park announced arrangements for the reburial of the world champion Saddlebred Wild Eyed And Wicked near the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park. “Wicked” was one of five Saddlebred horses injected with an unknown substance in June 2003. He and two other horses were destroyed, and two horses recovered. Wicked’s remains were exhumed last week from Double D Ranch near Versailles, where he had been trained, boarded and buried. Jackson and her...