So much has happened today I'm not sure where to start. This morning started with another run on the strip. More illicit activities witnessed and I was a little later so there was loads more activity. Made for some quick thinking at times. Back to the venue… the day got off to a very disappointing start for the dressage riders, my heart just broke for Jan Ebeling and Leslie Morse, both had huge disappointments. Jan's mare, Rafalca, simply couldn't take the atmosphere and...

Representatives from dozens of national and state-based equine protection, advocacy and rescue organizations gathered April 9-10 at Bally's Las Vegas for the third annual Homes for Horses Coalition Conference to discuss the re-homing of at-risk horses in America and other equine welfare concerns. The conference was held in conjunction with The Humane Society of the United States' Animal Care Expo, which included two equine welfare workshops on Wednesday, April 8. Immediately following Homes for...

Lexington, KY – At the 2009 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Annual Meeting, the USEF Board of Directors passed the ‘Return to Play’ rule. This rule (GR 1317) mandates that any competitor at a USEF licensed competition that is deemed concussed or unconscious (by qualified medical personnel) cannot return to competition until they have been cleared by a medical professional, who will sign and submit a letter to the USEF stating the rider is fit to compete. This rule became effective on...

Lexington, KY— Sharing the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of horses, USRider is proud to partner with the USEF in an effort to further enhance the safety of those who travel with horses. USRider provides emergency roadside assistance and towing services through their Equestrian Motor Plan along with other travel-related benefits. With an annual fee comparable to that of other roadside assistance programs, USRider offers many services...

The Horse Park of New Jersey announced the cancellation of the Garden State Combined Driving Event, scheduled to be held at the Horse Park, May 29-30. The Horse Park has hosted the popular event since 1992. The current economic climate in the United States has put a pall on all non-essential spending. "It's all about meeting expenses," said organizer Heather Walker. "Garden State must be self-supporting, as it has been for as long as I have been associated with the event. However, sponsorships...

The 2009 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT, is gearing up for another exciting summer of equestrian competition. The six-week circuit will run from July 1-August 9 at Harold Beebe Farm, and in addition to great hunter and jumper competition, the Manchester and the Mountains area will play host to all of the exhibitors and their families. The Vermont Summer Festival offers six consecutive weeks of competition, which makes it the longest horse show circuit offered in the Northeast. Many...

The Show Jumping Hall of Fame held its annual induction ceremony at the Budweiser American Invitational at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL, on Saturday evening, April 4. Honored with induction were Dr. John Steele and the horses Abdullah, Miss Budweiser and Riviera Wonder. Induction into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame is a great honor bestowed annually upon select individuals whose contribution to the sport has set them apart from others and whose influence has had a significant impact on the...

Saturday, May 2, thousands will join with celebrities, musicians, dancers and magnificent horses at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center for the 11th Annual Fiesta of the Spanish Horse extravaganza, all in support of raising funds for cancer research. Fiesta of the Spanish Horse is a revered Southern California equestrian tradition that raises funds each year for multiple cancer research organizations. Beneficiaries of this year’s Fiesta are the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Childrens...

The tradition of elite show jumping competition with a European look and feel keeps some of the finest international equestrian athletes returning to the Jumper Classic, now in its 20th year. The 2009 Jumper Classic, with its premiere event, the $75,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix, will be held September 2-6 over Labor Day weekend at New England's finest equestrian show grounds, Silver Oak Equestrian Center, in Hampton Falls, NH. The five-day show, held for the past 19 years in early...

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Langer Equestrian Group has added a third show week to its highly popular High Prairie Spring Series at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO. “We realized that the Colorado hunter/jumper community would really like another ‘A’ rated show during the first part of the season,” said Charlotte Skinner, manager of the High Prairie Spring Series for Langer Equestrian Group. “It’s a great facility and a great group of competitors. We have some really...