The HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011, an exciting series linking five of the world’s top level events, begins in style today (Thursday 21 April - Monday 25 April) at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR). The first crucial qualifier for the 2012 London Olympic Games has attracted arguably the strongest international field for many years with representatives from 11 nations and seven former winners entered. Three Americans are vying for the 2011 title, teammates from the Land...

Lexington, KY - Eric L. Straus. (Photo courtesy Eric L. Straus) The National Horse Show Association of America Ltd. announced today that Eric L. Straus has been appointed to the Board of Directors to fill out the term held by the late Eugene R. Mische. Straus brings a wealth of talent and experience to the National Horse Show Board of Directors. Straus is a recognized USEF judge, steward and FEI show jumping steward. Recently, at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Straus served as...

Lexington, KY - The Eventing Eligible Athlete Committee and Eventing High Performance Committee have unanimously recommended David O'Connor to be the Eventing Chef d'Equipe/Technical Advisor to succeed Capt. Mark Phillips in 2013. The recommendation will go to the USEF High Performance Working Group before being presented to the USEF Executive Committee. The search for Capt. Phillips replacement began in 2010. Nine applications were received by the Search Committee. The Committee shortlisted...

Boyd Martin and Neville Bardos were part of the Land Rover/U.S. Eventing Team in 2010 (Shannon Brinkman/USEF) Lexington, KY - Land Rover North America and The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announced today that they have extended their successful relationship through 2012. Land Rover, the leader in world-class Sport Utility Vehicles, has signed on for an additional two years as the official vehicle sponsor of the USEF, as well as the 2011 U.S. Eventing Team. "Land Rover vehicles are...

New York, NY - The National Horse Show Association of America, Limited (NHSAA) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a press conference at the Kentucky Horse Park Farm House in Lexington, KY, on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. All members of the press are welcome to attend this event to receive more information about this year's horse show. The panel for the press conference will include Mason Phelps, Jr., President and CEO of the NHS; John Walker, Board Member of the NHS and Chairman of the...

Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts. (Photo courtesy Sons of the Wind.) Merrimac, MA - Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts is pleased to announce that they will be hosting their third annual "Pride of Portugal" - Lusitano Horse Festival on Saturday, June 4, 2011. Mark your calendars now for this exciting event, which showcases the beautiful Lusitano horses and highlights the amazing Portuguese culture. Throughout the day, visitors will experience Lusitano exhibitions, kids...

Aaron Vale and Paparazzi. (ESI Photography.) Ocala, FL – Aaron Vale won the $25,000 Ocala Horse Properties, LLC Grand Prix on Saturday, April 9, during the Ocala International held at Sharn Wordley Equestrian in Ocala, FL. Just as Canada’s Francois Lamontagne had done the week before during the Ocala Jumping Classic, Vale won the $10,000 Blue Gate Farm Open Welcome on Thursday, April 7, as well as Saturday’s $25,000 Ocala Horse Properties, LLC Grand Prix during the Ocala International. Having...

Newberry, FL - Riders from more than 20 colleges and universities throughout the United States will converge at the Canterbury Equestrian Show Place in Newberry, FL, to compete at the Intercollegiate Dressage Association’s 9th annual National Championship. More than 100 riders will compete April 30 and May 1 as part of a 4-member team or as individuals in each of the IDA’s four divisions: introductory, lower training, upper training and first level. The IDA is comprised of 680...

Lincoln, NE – The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that the annual Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship has recently been revised to provide scholarships to a greater number of qualified dressage instructors. Major Anders Lindgren was an accomplished dressage rider, having won the 1971 Swedish Dressage Championship and ridden on the Swedish Olympic Team in 1972. He also won the Scandinavian Eventing Championship in 1959. Lindgren's contribution to American dressage was large, as he was...

Elizabeth Boyd & Brunello. (Flashpoint Photography.) Conyers, GA Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner. The Classic Company has two weeks of horse showing not to be missed, with increased prize money, new classes and an array of special events. “We’ve taken many of our exhibitors’ suggestions and made them into reality for the Summer Classics. I believe they’ll be as excited as we are with the results," Bob Bell of Classic said. Hunter riders will take center stage during the...