The inaugural $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby was a huge success this year, bringing top-notch hunter competition to the Midwest for a special one-day event that raised more than $60,000 for the Children's Memorial Hospital. The Chicago Hunter Derby was hosted by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause (CEC) and was held on August 30, 2009, at Annali Farm in Antioch, IL. Children's Memorial Hospital is one of Chicago's most precious civic assets. As Illinois' only freestanding hospital exclusively for...

Oklahoma City, OK – The National Reining Horse Association will once again host the $100,000 added 2009 FEI World Reining Masters Final during the 2009 NRHA Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show in Oklahoma City on December 3. The competition brings 20 riders from 18 countries to Oklahoma City along with many international visitors. Set to return are Austrian rider Rudi Kronsteiner and Rosanne Sternberg’s Smart Spook, 2007 and 2008 open and restricted division champions....

McLain Ward and his Beloved Sapphire at the 2009 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final (Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Gladstone, NJ -The USET Foundation is pleased to announce that the Whitney Stone Cup has been awarded to McLain Ward of Brewster, NY. The Whitney Stone Cup is awarded annually by the USET Foundation Executive Committee to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition, high standards of sportsmanlike conduct, while also serving as an ambassador for the...

The 2010 schedule of the Exquis World Dressage Masters, the globe's richest line up of competitions each with €100,000 (US$149,850) in prize money, was announced Monday. A WDM Rider Ranking award of €25,000 (US$37,000) is also offered by Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe at WDM in Munich in 2010. Munich will also be the venue for a WDM gala celebration. The 2010 schedule of confirmed competitions of the Exquis World Dressage Masters, founded by Exquis and also sponsored by Moorland Stables and...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Charles “Chuck” Smith has received the 2009 USDF Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery. This award recognizes a USDF member who, through consistent and cumulative volunteer activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards carrying out USDF’s mission. As the winner, Smith will be presented with a perpetual trophy, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame,...

The Old Dominion Horse Show in Manakin Sabot, VA, was the site for the inaugural competition for ponies nominated to the North American Pony Futurity (NAPF) Registry incentive program. A parade of lovely young ponies competed in hand, divided by ages and genders. USEF “R” Hunter Breeding judges Joe Dotoli (of Vermont) and Beth Neilsen (of Colorado) evaluated the youngsters at the walk and trot prior to standing for conformation. Amateur and pro handlers were equally represented with Tim Foster...

The international sport of reining will host the world’s premiere event for reiners—the 2009 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show, November 26 through December 5, at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. The $1.9-million show features the NRHA Futurity—the premiere event for three-year-old reining horses. At the end of the Open Finals on Saturday, December 5, one entry is guaranteed a check for $125,000 as...

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity will bring the best three-year-old reining horses to Oklahoma City, OK, starting Thanksgiving day, but to many NRHA members the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) is the final leg of their quest to proudly represent their region among riders from the U.S., Canada and Mexico; and battle for an NRHA North American Affiliate Championship title. This year’s Adequan® NAAC, held in conjunction with the NRHA Futurity, will see...

Some of the world's top grand prix riders and trainers will battle it out in fun and games at the February 26, 2010, Fete Cheval Carnivale sponsored by Spy Coast Farm to benefit The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. "We are so grateful to Spy Coast Farm and the Lourie Family for their generosity and for helping us bring back this very entertaining event to Wellington," said co-chairs Gray Fadden and Visse Wedell. Guests will enjoy cocktails, a carnival-themed dinner, and carnival games in the Marquee Tent...

Faye Wuesthofen aboard Kiss of the Zodiac (Photo by Howard Schatzberg) In what many are describing as a historic event, the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) Saddle Seat Medal Final came down to a workout of the top two riders—Faye Wuesthofen and Ellen Medley Wright—on exchanged horses. Add to that the fact the top two riders shared the same trainer, DeLovely’s Lillian Shively, and it was one for the record books. The arena erupted with excitement and...