The Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America is pleased to announce a brand-new awards program that carries with it a title of distinction that will last a lifetime - the Welsh of the Year Award. This exciting new program is designed to promote ownership, encourage involvement and spotlight the achievements of extraordinary Welsh breed individuals. Nominations submitted throughout the year will culminate in the selection of the top winner by WPCSA membership to be awarded at the Society’s...

The final Markel/USEF Young Horse Training Session of 2012 will take place June 28-29 at Rosebrook Farm in Georgetown, MA. Led by USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler, the session is expected to include ten horse/rider combinations. This training session is open auditors and will include a lecture and open discussion with Hassler. Those interested in auditing should contact USEF Director of National Dressage, Hallye Griffin, at [email protected]. The calendar of the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse...

Lexington, KY - In its largest round of grant funding to date, USA Equestrian Trust has awarded nearly $240,000 to 11 equine non-profits that applied by the first of the foundation's two 2012 application deadlines. The $239,780 in grants is an increase of 21 percent compared to 2011. That mirrored the continued dramatic jump in interest in the Trust's grants program, which saw applications rise 38 percent. The Trust's leadership approved an expansion of the program earlier this...

“Extravaganza” is one of the most important shows of the Paso Fino breed during the competition season. This year, 2012, is the 28th Anniversary of the show and for the first time it will be held at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is among the best venues in the Nation and second to none in Florida! The debut of this show in Jacksonville will accompany the presentation of $10,000.00 in prize money!!! The Extravaganza...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is now accepting letters of intent from competition managers to host the 2013 Dressage Seat Medal Finals. These Finals will take place in the summer of 2013 and are traditionally scheduled for late August. The purpose of the Dressage Seat Medal presented by Dressage Today program is to promote and reward correct seat, position and use of aids in dressage for youth riders. The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) oversees the...

The second in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder I started formal riding lessons when I was four years old. English riding lessons. The doctors told my mom it would be good for me. It was 1969. The Academy where I learned is now a national historic landmark. By the time I was 6, I was riding with double reins. My introduction to western riding came when my parents purchased a POA stallion for me the summer of my sixth year. That pony could buck my dad off! ‘Nuff said. When...

Caroline Roffman and Pie (Susan J. Stickle) Gladstone, NJ - The 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions came to a close Sunday with National Champions being crowned in Intermediaire I and Young Adult “Brentina Cup” competition in the Dick and Jane Brown Arena at the USET Foundation Headquarters. Intermediaire I Freestyles and the FEI Young Rider Grand Prix were presented to the Ground Jury of Lois Yukins, Hilda Gurney, Jane Weatherwax, Axel Steiner and Janet Foy. Caroline Roffman...

Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) approved the Show Jumping FEI Nominated Entries for the 2012 Olympic Games. From the Nominated Entries, the team of four and a traveling reserve will be entered on the Definite Entry on July 6th. The ranked order of the athlete/horse combinations for the FEI Nominated Entries is as follows: 1. Rich Fellers and Mollie and Harry Chapman's Flexible 2. Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Ranch's Coral Reef Via Volo 3. Reed Kessler on...

Lexington, KY - The fourth and final USEF Observation Event for the US Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games wrapped up a selection process that started with the Selection Trials in March. The $200,000 CN Performance Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows in Calgary hosted 12 Long-Listed American combinations out of the 37 starters who took on Bob Ellis' course. At the culmination of the class, Rich Fellers took top honors again, he was fastest of the seven which jumped first round clears....

Gladstone, NJ - While the Dick and Jane Brown Arena at the USET Foundation Headquarters belonged to the Grand Prix riders Saturday morning, the afternoon session was all about the up-and-coming stars of the sport at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. In the National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship, Caroline Roffman and Pie maintained their strangle-hold on the lead. While, Young Adult "Brentina Cup" competitors got their first taste of competition in Gladstone with Brian Hafner...