Lexington, KY – In its inaugural year, the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize members whose involvement in the sport, and the USHJA itself, has benefited the industry. On December 10, Beth Miner and Alvin Topping were honored with the prestigious award at the 2008 Evening of Equestrians Dinner during the USHJA Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN. Both Miner and Topping have an illustrious history with the USHJA and took a prominent...

Lexington, KY – Mindy Darst was named Volunteer of the Year by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) at the USHJA Evening of Equestrians on December 10, 2008. Evening of Equestrians is the USHJA’s awards ceremony held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting which took place at the Hilton Downtown in Nashville, TN, December 8-11. The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to an individual who donates their time to develop and implement programs in the organization. Darst was selected...

Lexington, KY – A silent auction held by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) raised over $5,000 in proceeds to benefit the USHJA Foundation and the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). The silent auction was held at the USHJA Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN, which took place December 8-11. Winning bids of the 28 donated items were announced at the Evening of Equestrians Awards Ceremony on December 10. The USHJA Foundation promotes the hunter and jumper...

Lexington, KY —Over the past decade, the United States Equestrian Federation has bestowed special Pegasus Awards for media excellence on an array of talented journalists, photographers and publications. As time progressed, new categories reflecting the developing and ever-changing world of media have been added to fully honor and celebrate the members of the press, media outlets and freelance artists. Within this group of devoted and hardworking individuals and publications, we find the heart...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced that Elizabeth Osborn of the Woodside Vaulters equestrian vaulting club has won the prestigious title of Vaulter of the Year. Osborn’s coach, Isabelle Bibbler Parker, was named USEF Coach of the Year. Osborn and Parker will receive their awards on January 16 at a ceremony during the USEF’s Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, OH. The USEF, based in Lexington, KY, is the national governing body of equestrian sport in the U.S. Osborn is the...

The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC), in partnership with the Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association (KHJA), announced a new program to reward KHJA members competing on rescued horses in 2009. A $300 cash prize will be given to the KHJA competitor riding a rescued horse with the greatest accumulation of points in 2009. Year end points are tallied by KHC, and the 2009 rescue horse high-point winner will be recognized at the 2010 KHJA banquet and at the KHC Annual Conference. Any KHJA member who competes...

The 2009 United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) and American Hackney Horse Society Annual Convention will be held at the Westin Resort and Spa in Hilton Head Island, SC, Thursday, January 8, through Saturday, January 10, 2009. A special room rate of $99 is available per night ($119 for an ocean view) with reference to the convention. Visit www.uphaonline.com/resources/2009_convention/convention_registration.pdf for the convention registration and schedule of events. To download the...

FEI Anti-Doping and Medication Commission Chair Arne Ljungqvist, FEI First Vice President Sven Holmberg and FEI Secretary General Alexander McLin met on December 16 to plot the way forward for the Commission recently established by the FEI General Assembly . The subject matter to be addressed by the Commission’s members is vast and falls into the broad categories of policy, legislation, education, communication, prevention, evidence, prosecution, adjudication, and financing. The Commission’s...

The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 54th Annual Convention united equine practitioners across the globe in San Diego, CA, December 6-10. As the world’s largest meeting for equine veterinarians, the convention provided quality education to 3,201 veterinarians, students and veterinary technicians. Total convention attendance was 6,579. David Foley, AAEP Executive Director, considered the third largest AAEP convention turnout a success in the midst of a staggering economy. “In...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced the winner of the 2008 USDF Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery, at the 2008 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention. This award recognizes a USDF member who, through consistent and cumulative volunteer activities, has demonstrated exceptional commitment towards carrying out USDF’s mission. As the winner, Jenkins was presented with a perpetual trophy, which is permanently on display in the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of...