Lexington, KY - To say J. Michael Plumb was the stalwart of the U.S. Eventing Team for almost 50 years would be an understatement. He rode in seven consecutive Olympic Fans can vote for Michael Plumb to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. (USEF Archive) Games - beginning when he was 19 in 1960 in Rome - and eight total (his final appearance was in 1992 in Barcelona). His contribution to the Team’s success is unprecedented and his fearless determination and tenacity never waned....

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that it awarded grants totaling $2,295,000 to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for high-performance programs in 2007. The USET Foundation funding provided support, in whole or in part, for athletes in seven high-performance disciplines to participate in national and international events. The high-performance disciplines are dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping and vaulting. "The...

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), announced via live webcast that Singapore will be the host city of the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games to take place in 2010. Nine cities—Athens, Greece; Bangkok, Thailand; Debrecen, Hungary; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Moscow, Russian Federation; Poznan, Poland; Singapore, Singapore; and Turin, Italy;—had applied to host the event. Moscow and Singapore were selected as the...

EquiFit, Inc., the equine industry’s innovator of protective performance gear, announces a contest to coincide with the release of its new pony products. The best-selling T-Sport Wrap and supportive T-Boot EXP are now available in pony sizes. As part of its new product launch, EquiFit is searching for a junior rider and pony team to be part of its promotion. Submission will be accepted through March 31, 2008. Contestants are urged to get out their cameras and put the pony T-Boot EXP’s and Pony...

President Bush signed into law the Economic Stimulus Act on February 13. The bill is intended to provide a jump-start to the lagging U.S. economy. “The new law includes two tax incentives that would allow a much bigger write-off for horses and other depreciable property purchased and placed in service during 2008,” said Jay Hickey, President of the American Horse Council. “This should provide an additional incentive for people to invest in more horses for racing, showing and breeding as part of...

Romelia Calderon and her 2007 FEI World Cup mount Pernot captured the blue ribbon in Sunday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix to conclude the Kachina Classic at HITS Arizona. Calderon, who won the first Grand Prix at HITS Thermal in 2007, got the best of 25 pairs in the first round and nine combinations in the jump-off to score $7,500 in prize money for Riley Stables. The Mexican rider was also eighth aboard John's Flight. Calderon and Pernot were first to go in the jump-off and set Great American Time...

In addition to a new premiere location in Hampton Falls, NH, the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic welcomes a new course designer, Linda Allen of Salinas, CA. Allen will design the grand prix ring, which will feature the $75,000 Fidelity Investments AGA Grand Prix, the $10,000 Welcome Stake, the $10,000 Speed Stake and $15,000 Mohegan Sun Derby, just to name a few of the classes. There will be a total of over 20 classes held in the grand prix ring. Allen has more than 30 years of experience...

Lexington, KY - Attention Children Jumper Riders! This year’s FEI Children’s International Jumping Final will be held in Bogota, Colombia, December 6-12, 2008. The Final for Children between the ages of 12 and 14, as defined by FEI rules, brings together riders from various nations around the world, not only to compete but also to interact with their peers from around the world. U.S. qualifiers for this final will be held at the Oaks Blenheim Fall Tournament in San Juan Capistrano, CA,...

Lexington, KY --The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Executive Committee has approved two important high-performance driving initiatives for 2008. USEF National Championships Announced Dates and Locations for the 2008 USEF National Driving Championships are as follows: the 2008 USEF National Four-in-Hand Championship and the USEF National Single Horse Championship will be held simultaneously at the Live Oak Combined Driving Event in Ocala, FL, March 27-30. Please visit the Live Oak...

The World Games 2010 Foundation recently announced that John Long of Shelbyville, KY, has been selected as chair of its board of directors. Long is the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). He replaces interim Board Chair Tandy Patrick, who will continue to serve as an active board member. “I am looking forward to being a very active chairman,” said Long. “The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games provide an unprecedented opportunity to showcase both...