The United States Equestrian Federation’s Board of Directors held its annual mid-year meeting on June 24 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, KY. Several important decisions regarding the immediate future of the Federation’s governance were addressed, as well as important and exciting marketing initiatives and the designation of the first horse show to receive the new “Heritage” designation. Current President David O’Connor was re-elected for a second four-year term....

Dr. Stephen M. Reed, will deliver the prestigious Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture on December 8 during the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) 54th Annual Convention in San Diego, CA. Equine neurology is the focus of this year’s lecture, which is sponsored by AAEP Educational Partner Platinum Performance in conjunction with the AAEP Foundation, Inc. Dr. Reed is widely recognized for his commitment to the horse, equine veterinarians, and the equine industry. A diplomat...

Continuing their success from 2008, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Council will host the 2nd Annual USEF Youth Convention in Cincinnati, OH, as part of the USEF Annual Meeting. On Saturday, January 17, 2009, hundreds of youth athletes from the Federation’s 28 breed and discipline backgrounds will come together to participate in a day-long convention culminating with a dinner and dance for convention attendees and USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award finalists. The 2009 Youth...

Lexington, KY – To assist breed shows with financial challenges, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) offers the 2008 Outreach Grant program, which provides assistance to various USEF breed competitions. And even though the competition season is under way, it’s not too late to apply for a USEF grant. The USEF grant program assists financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. The grants are available on a first come, first...

The week’s final spotlight shown on the children-adult jumpers as 47 horses took center stage with hopes of landing the starring role in Classic Company-sponsored $15,000 Jumper Classic. Carri Carse aboard her mount Letterman had the final call back and left the Georgia Horse Park all smiles. On Saturday, Derek Petersen of Archer, FL, captured his second Outback Steakhouse-Horses Helping Horses Grand Prix aboard Jordan Coyne’s Larazo, delivering an exciting conclusion to a weekend of giving at...

At the Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake, which kicked off week II of the Atlanta Summer Classic, the crowd was left singing the praises of Troubadour. With the Leary, GA, based Mariano Bedoya Guido at the controls, the young gelding bested the field of 28, including eleven in the jump-off round, with two clear rounds and a sizzling jump-off time of 30.33 seconds. “I liked this course very much, it looked not too big, but it was very technical,” said Guido of the Allen Rheinheimer designed challenge....

Dressage at Devon is pleased to be the first horse show in the United States to offer a foal championship. The foal championship, sponsored by Hassler Dressage, will be a part of the event’s extensive breed division, which takes place September 23-25. The foal championship was added for a number of reasons. Because their ever-changing conformation can impact their movement, foals will be on a more equal ground when judged against each other. “It is always difficult to judge foals against other...

A specialty Kentucky license plate may soon be available in celebration of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In order for these plates to be produced, at least 900 applications and deposits must be submitted to the World Games 2010 Foundation. If 900 applications are not received by September 30, 2008, all applications and fees will be returned. Kentucky residents interested in purchasing the official license plate of the 2010 Games for $44 should visit www.feigames2010.org to print...

The League of Agricultural and Equine Centers (LAEC) is offering a summer League Footing Academy, August 4-6, 2008, at the Foothills Equestrian Nature center in Tryon, NC. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sample of the footing in their arena for analysis. The League is composed of facilities that host and produce equine events and activities. The people who own and operate these complexes represent the center memberships. The Leagues’ mission is to support and promote management personnel...

David Holmes of Great Britain has been appointed to the key position of FEI Executive Director, Sports. In this role, Holmes will lead the FEI Sports Departments and manage their planning, financial, and operational activities. He will monitor the liaison with the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, and the Organizing Committees in charge of the Olympic, Paralympic, and Youth Olympic Games and will coordinate the FEI World Equestrian Games, Regional Games,...