Tickets are now being sold for the annual Saddlebred Raffle, with winners to be drawn during the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Youth Auction, in Crowne Room A of the Crowne Plaza Louisville, during the week of the Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS). The raffle is one of ASHA's most important fund-raisers. Only 400 tickets are sold worldwide, at $100 each, for gross proceeds of $40,000. Of that, $20,000 goes into the Saddlebred Futures Fund, and $20,000 of...

On the first day of competition at the ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals presented by Dietrich Insurance, 56 horses and riders put it all on the line for their chance at the coveted Derby Finals Champion title. The top 25 horses from this morning’s round are invited to Saturday evening’s round two classic course and were given $1,000. The top 12 horses from round two will compete for overall derby final’s champion honors and a share of the $100,000 prize money. This...

For the first time, Lexington, KY, known as the Horse Capital of the World to some, will host the Seventh Annual Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Sport Horse Nationals), September 22-27, 2009. Competitors will compete in more than 80 different sport horse classes across four divisions, including sport horse in-hand and under-saddle, dressage, pleasure carriage driving and hunter/jumper. Sport Horse Nationals, which has alternated venues in the East and West...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that the Apprentice Dressage Technical Delegate Clinic will be held on Friday, December 4, during the 2009 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention in Austin, TX. Advance registration is preferred, but late registrations will be accepted. This clinic is required for apprentice Technical Delegates but is open to anyone who is interested in learning more on this aspect of competition. A binder complete with articles, forms and other...

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) is proud to announce the launch of the first ever FEI Awards set up to celebrate the equestrian community and pay tribute to the heroes of the sport. “The awards have been created to put the spotlight on all those who have contributed to the progress and excellence of equestrian sport,” said HRH Princess Haya, President of the FEI. “These awards will not only recognize the achievements and success of individuals and highlight the stars of today and...

Mark your calendars for the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix, which is a World Cup Qualifier and the final class in the Hagyard Challenge Series. Scheduled for September 18, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., this event will be the very first grand prix held in the new indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. All spectators are welcome and are encouraged to fill the stands. Sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, the Hagyard Challenge Series is a summer-long competition that includes seven grand prix...

Future Event Horse (FEH) classes will be held in conjunction with the Irish Draugth Horse Society of North America's 2009 Annual Horse Show. The FEH classes will be held on Thursday, October 1, in Lexington, VA, at the Virginia Horse Center. This will be a great opportunity to get your babies used to showing as the Virginia Horse Center is the same venue where the FEH Championships will be held on October 30. Remember there is no qualifying score needed to attend the championships; the only...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announces the new leadership for the 2009-10 Charter Club Council. Leading the council will be Susan Vine of Boxborough, MA, as Chair, with Carol Reedy of Roanoke, VA, and Bridget McNeese of Houston, TX, as Vice Co-Chairs. To date, Council membership remains unchanged. Council representatives listed by region may be found on the Charter Club section of the ASHA website at www.asha.net/ASHA-Charter-Clubs . In addition, ASHA is pleased to present...

The Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) is primed to host its 63rd annual competition this fall at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC). The show will be held on September 9-13 in downtown Buffalo, NY. The horse show will host a number of special classes in their large indoor arena, including hunter classics. The BIHS is one of the oldest horse shows in the country, heading into its 63rd year. All proceeds are donated to the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, which offers programs...

With great sadness, Mo and Jim Swanson of Rolling Stone Farm announce the passing of a World Champion dressage legend on August 11, 2009. The Hanoverian stallion Welcome S (World Cup I-Grebina/Grande) was euthanized in August 2009, due to infirmities of age. He was 22 years old. Welcome was owned by Jan van der Kamp and was managed by his daughter, Patricia Stemerdink of Dekstation de Havikerwaard in De Steeg, The Netherlands. The Swanson’s leased Welcome for breeding after a chance meeting in...