Recognizing that arena soil is one of the most basic and important factors required to ensure a successful equestrian/agricultural event, the American Royal Association, a 106-year old institution, unveiled new footing for all its fall and year-round events. The Royal experienced significant growth in its horse shows last year with some events increasing nearly 40%. After last year’s fall show, the American Royal formed a Footing Task Force to address the needs of its exhibitors. “Excellent...

The Vermont Summer Festival is proud to host a qualifying competition for the prestigious International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Children’s Jumping Final. Open to show jumping athletes ages 12-14, the FEI Children’s Final sees riders from all across the globe competing in this unique annual event. The competition was created to promote and encourage talented young riders by giving them the opportunity to experience international competition with support from the FEI. For the second year in a...

Lexington, KY – One of the nation’s leaders in the fight against degenerative joint disease in equines, the veterinarian-trusted name of Adequan® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) has joined the United States Equestrian Federation family in a multi-faceted sponsorship. Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, manufacturer of the flagship equine health product, Adequan®, has stepped forward as title sponsor for three USEF championships for the 2005 competition season: the 2005 USEF National...

Lexington, KY – Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil and Chris Kappler of the United States moved up to Gold and Silver Medals respectively when the FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale), the international governing body for equestrian sport, officially disqualified Individual Gold Medalist Cian O’Connor of Ireland from the 2004 Olympic Games, due to a positive drug test on his horse Waterford Crystal. Kappler, of Pittstown, New Jersey, initially tied with Pessoa for second...

Rapid growth of vaulting in the eastern United States has resulted in more recognized vaulting competitions for area athletes this season. Region IX of the American Vaulting Association (AVA), covering all states from Maine to Mississippi, will be hosting the first East Coast Regional Vaulting Championships July 15-17, 2005, at Fairfax County’s Frying Pan Park, in Herndon, VA. The competition is recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation and the AVA and will contribute to national...

The third annual Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Show will be held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, September 21-25, 2005. See Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians demonstrating supreme athleticism in 69 classes in four divisions: sport horse in-hand and under-saddle, dressage, pleasure carriage driving and hunter/jumper. “We strive to make it exhibitor friendly,” says Show Commissioner Cathy Gage. “We have beautiful...

SAUGERTIES, NY (June 11, 2005)—The Rolex/USEF $30,000 Intermediate Match, the second leg of the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship was won by Jimmy Torano riding Marcel, an eleven-year-old, 17H, chestnut, Belgian Warmblood gelding. Torano took second place in the first leg of the Championship, and his first place finish on Friday puts him at the top of the standings going into the last round. The Grand Finale of the Championship will take place on Sunday, June 12, when...

Saugerties, NY (June 9, 2005) —Michael Walton of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, riding Elu De La Hardiere, a 13-year-old French stallion, raced to a top place finish in the Rolex/USEF $20,000 Opening Match—giving him the initial lead in the three-leg $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship. The Championship takes place over three days and the $20,000 Opening Match was an exciting speed class run under Table C specifications with faults converted into penalty seconds. The...

Show jumping legend Margie Goldstein-Engle galloped away with the blue ribbon in the $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson II. The 2000 Olympic veteran, and eight-time American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year thrilled the Sunday crowd aboard Hidden Creek's Wapino, a 17.2 hand nine-year-old Westfalian gelding. "I've been riding him at the grand prix level for a little over a year now. We had some wins in Florida, but this is the biggest in terms of money won," she...

Matthew Williams, of Louisville, KY, has been hired by the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) as its development manager, effective Monday, June 6. Williams will be responsible for increasing revenues for ASHA through the Association’s magazine, American Saddlebred , and its Reference Directory , as well as managing other fundraising events and promotions. Williams is a graduate of Furman University with a Bachelor’s in communications studies. Williams has been competing in both...