Lexington, KY —In a move designed to standardize drug testing fees across the country, the United States Equestrian Federation announces a new plan to restructure fees for competitions in California. This restructuring will finally put California on equal footing with the other 49 states—while eliminating confusion for exhibitors and organizers alike. The USEF and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) now jointly announce the elimination of different fees for...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation officially announced that it has retained GráficaGroup as its Public Relations Agency of Record. The USET Foundation, based in Gladstone, New Jersey, supports American equestrian athletes competing in national and international competitions, including the World Equestrian Games, the Pan American Games, and the Olympics. Gráfica ( www.grafica.com ) is a nationally ranked, full-service, fully integrated advertising and public relations agency...

Barbara Kearney's G.G. Valentine and two-time World Championship Hunter Rider Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY, finished their show season as winners at the 2004 Syracuse Invitational Horse Show. Held at the OnStar Center in Syracuse, NY. for the second time, the best riders came to compete from throughout North America. Alfano and G.G. Valentine took home the Working Hunter Championship to cap off their extraordinary 2004 season. "G.G. was just super for me," stated Alfano, 36. "She is one of...

The United States Tent Pegging Association (USTPA) will be holding selection trials for eligible riders to compete for a position on the USTPA international competition team. Those selected for the team will be representing the United States at FEI-sanctioned events overseas and in the continental United States. Tent Pegging is an International Equestrian Federation (FEI) recognized discipline and one of the more popular high-performance equestrian sports worldwide. For information on Tent...

Todd Minikus of the United States flew to victory riding Flier in the $60,000 CN World Cup Grand Prix held Wednesday, November 10, at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON, Canada. From the original starting field of 23 riders, only five advanced to the jump-off over the course set by Olympic master Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Minikus of Wellington, FL, was one of only two riders to post double-clear rounds in the jump-off, stopping the timers a full two seconds ahead of second-placed...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association has not published an official register since 1988. That will all change in 2005. ASHA has teamed with Harris Publishing to release the American Saddle Horse Register for all registered foals in 2004. Each horse will be listed with his or her registration number, foaling date, city and state of breeding, as well as the first, second and third sires and dams. The publication will also include the names of the more than 45,000 Saddlebreds that have been...

Lexington, KY —Effective December 1, 2004, the USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Rule permits the therapeutic use of Surpass®, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory product (NSAID) recently approved by the FDA for use in horses. This is a topical preparation of 1% diclofenac cream, from IDEXX Pharmaceuticals. The rule change, which was adopted by the Executive Committee on November 16, 2004, establishes a quantitative restriction, i.e., maximum permitted plasma concentration, similar to...

Lexington, KY —The FEI Driving Committee has announced the dressage tests that will be used at the forthcoming Championships in 2005. They are: Catton Hall, Teams and Pairs, Test 6 Catton Hall, Singles, Test 7 Salzburg, Pairs, Test 8 These tests can be downloaded from the FEI website as required – www.horsesport.org For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager on (859) 225-6974 or via e-mail at [email protected]. USEF press releases are available on our...

Lexington, KY —The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the debut of the new Vaulting Individual Ranking List . More than two years in the making, and for the first time in history, the List provides an up-to-date ranking of the United States’ best vaulters at any given moment in time. “This is an exciting step forward for vaulting, which will enhance and encourage interest in the sport significantly,” said Sally Ike, Director of Vaulting...

Lexington, KY --The nations’ best reiners will be coming to the heart of Kentucky in 2005, as a result of the combined efforts of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), and the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). The USEF Open Reining Championship will be the headliner class at Fiesta in the Park—a new show that offers reining and hunter-jumper events, side by side in the Kentucky Horse Park. The show, slated for August...