Lexington, KY —Adding to a legacy of fine tradition, the United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to add the trusted name of Markel Insurance to the 2005 USEF Young Horse Dressage Program. This sponsorship will include the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage National Championships and the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Selection Trials. Built on more than 40 years of comprehensive equine coverage, the reputation of Markel is unsurpassed in the field of equine insurance. “It was...

Courtesy NRHA/Waltenberry (Todd Crawford on Matt Dillon Dun It) As the NRHA Futurity & North American Affiliate Championship Show continues, horses and riders showing in the FEI World Reining Masters Finals were officially received for the FEI general horse inspection on Wednesday, December 1. Traditionally, the NRHA Futurity & Championship Show has been the annual meeting ground for reining enthusiasts from all over the world. But this year is even more special. The first-ever $100,000...

Lexington, KY —The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) names Howard B. Simpson of Lake Forrest, IL, the winner of the 2004 Perpetual Sportsmanship Award. Given in memory of Walter Bourchier Devereux, III, the Perpetual Sportsmanship Award honors the horseman or horsewoman who “exemplifies the ideal of good sportsmanship through commitment, dedication and service to USEF throughout his or her career.” Mr. Simpson has done just that, spending years promoting good...

Lexington, KY —Following in the footsteps of exemplary equestrians who have paved the way for decades, Kathy Kusner, Margaret Price, Alvin Topping and Edna Griswald Lytle are the newest recipients of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pegasus Medals of Honor. These Medals are given to individuals “who have exhibited outstanding service to horses and the sport and, who, through their dedication, have attracted people to the sport and contributed to horse sport by...

Lexington, KY —Adding their names to a long list of respected breeders from across the country, Diana Dodge of Montpelier Station, VA, and Herb Kohler of LaGrange, KY, have been named the winners of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) 2004 Ellen Scripps Davis Memorial Breeders’ Award. Given in memory of American Saddlebred owner and breeder Ellen Scripps Davis, the Award recognizes an individual who consistently breeds outstanding show horses. The award also honors the...

Lexington, KY —Without further ado, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to unveil the new and improved 2005 Rule Book, designed to help set the tone for the coming competition year with not only a brand new look, but also complete with easy-to-understand modifications. This latest edition represents the first stage of a massive reorganization project, led by the Ad Hoc Rules Reorganization Committee. The central goal of this project is to provide the best customer...

Simi Valley, CA —Making a name for herself among the top riders at the 2004 FEI Children’s International Jumping Final, Jennifer Stillman of Beverly Hills, CA, rode Masterpiece’s Montero (Bay Hanoverian gelding) to a second place finish at the Final competition November 28, giving champion Daniel Bluman of Columbia a real run for the title. "At first, my goal was just to go clean and when it came down to the final, I knew I had to go out there and I had to do good," says the...

Lexington, KY —The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the newest supplier of horse blankets to the Federation—Blue Ribbon Custom Blankets by Royal Riders. Holding a rich tradition of excellence in equine clothing, Royal Riders has been producing some of the best horse blankets in the industry for nearly 30 years; hunter and equitation enthusiast Janet Graham has been at the helm for the last 13. Graham says the company has evolved quite a bit since its...

Los Angeles, CA —As the 2004 season comes to a close, West Coast League riders step out of their saddles for a moment to reflect on five rounds of World Cup qualifiers that have determined their standings at the halfway mark. Separated by only a few points, Richard Spooner, Joie Gatlin and Gabriella Salick maintain an incredibly close race for the three World Cup slots afforded to the League. A tenth place finish atop Hilton Flight (Bay Irish Sport Horse gelding; Errigal...

The 121st National Horse Show & Family Festival opened today with the first rounds of the Open Division of the $150,000 National Horse Show Hunter Championship in the Internationale Arena. The next two rounds of Phase One will be contested December 1-2 to determine the top 12 that will move on to Phase Two, the final two rounds on December 4 that ultimately determine the National Horse Show Hunter Champion. A highlight of today’s hunter competition--Shachine Belle aboard In Disguise won the...