Imagine the scenario. Sitting under a shaded tent facing a perfectly manicured and maintained hunter ring. Free food abounds. Dozen upon dozen of pony riders are mounted upon the most gorgeous ponies you have ever seen in your life. You get to kick back, relax and take in this awesome environment, free of stress or cares. Just another day in the life of this very lucky journalist and editor. Yes…the 2009 USEF Pony Finals is under way at the Kentucky Horse Park, and for the first time in...

Taylor Ann Adams bested the top junior talent in the nation by winning the 2009 Essex Classics/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Hunterdon Cup Equitation Class in Saugerties, NY. Adams of Memphis, TN, secured her victory in the third and final round of the prestigious equitation class after switching mounts with reserve champion Quincy Hayes. “Quincy helped me out in the schooling area before the final round,” Adams said. “Her horse was a lot of horse for me to ride and completely...

Hi Hopes Farm, of Charlotte, NC, took home multiple tricolor ribbons and trophies after a successful two weeks of competition at the 86th Annual Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. Lucille Oken received the Jennifer Cox Memorial Trophy for high-point rider showing horses and ponies. Alise Oken took home the Large Junior 16-17 Hunter championship award after her excellent performance with her top mount, Take Away. Alise and Lucille Oken both train under the tutelage of top instructors Steve...

Pony rider Emma Cullen and green medium pony, Silver Slippers, at the 2009 USEF Pony Finals. (USEF Archive/Randi Muster) Lexington, KY—It was a day many young riders have been waiting to come for months, and it was well worth the wait judging by their excited faces. The 2009 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships welcomed this year’s roster of ponies and their energetic riders who made the grade and were invited to participate in what is certainly the...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that the Jack Le Goff Memorial Fund has been established in memory of the legendary USET Eventing Coach. The fund will provide annual travel grant(s) to riders selected to represent the United States at the FEI Eventing World Cup Final. The first major gift to start this fund in Jack Le Goff's name was generously made by Cindy and Larry Lippon of Cave Creek, AZ, who had the pleasure and honor of knowing Jack Le Goff and...

Junior Competitor Jessica Deimler Recognized for EAF Fundraising Efforts Lexington, KY – Competitors of the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) enjoyed a chance to relax with a pizza party on Thursday night (7/23) hosted by the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) and EAF board member Stephanie Riggio. The hospitality tent was full of fun and laughter as hundreds of pizzas and drinks were devoured by riders, trainers and supportive families. Giving Thanks In the midst of...

Pat Boyle and Diane Carney Welcome Olympian to Illinois This past weekend Showplace Productions hosted a clinic with Olympic Show Jumping Assistant Chef d'Equipe Melanie Smith Taylor for the United States Hunter Jumper Association's (USHJA) Emerging Athletes Program. The clinic was managed by Pat Boyle and held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. "I think the clinic was excellent and great for the area," commented Pat Boyle. "It was a great opportunity too for the kids to learn...

Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), the manager of the Winter Equestrian Festival, has released the finalized dates for the competitions commencing on January 13 and running through April 4, 2010. As in the past two years, the Festival will feature 12 weeks of AA USEF competition showcasing some of the world's top Olympic riders and awarding major prize money at one of the premiere equestrian facilities in the world. Once again, the Festival will feature the Battle of the Sexes, the Nations Cup...

The 2009 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing moves to North America for the first time this year, with this weekend’s 7th leg at Kalispell in Montana (July 23-26). The annual event at Rebecca Farm has attracted 19 entries from US and Canadian riders, including dual Olympian Amy Tryon (USA), who this time rides Leyland, 13th at the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event in April. Canadian Olympian Hawley Bennett brings two horses, her Athens veteran Livingstone and Gin N Juice, and Jil Walton, a member of the...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced the names of five ASHA Youth Scholarship recipients. The individuals receiving scholarships are Crystal Atwood of Hermiston, OR, Shelby Reimer of Senoia, GA, Anna Stoddard of Gibsonville, NC, Allison Strash of Pleasant Prairie, WI, and Katie McAuliffe of Goodrich, MI, who received the ASHA Youth-to-Youth Scholarship. The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage, support and recognize participation in all aspects of the American...