The Polk County Economic Development Commission will present the Second Annual National Equine Economic Development Summit from April 17-19, 2008, at the famed Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, NC. This year's conference, themed "The New Ruralism," promises to establish a new dialogue in land conservation and rural-based economies. It will bring together policy makers, community and equine industry leaders from across the country in an effort to strike a balance between equestrian and commercial...

With preparations for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 well under way, the time has come to think of the following edition, the FEI World Equestrian Games 2014. To ensure a clear and fair process in the allocation of the seventh FEI World Equestrian Games, the following procedure has been put in place. Upon receipt of a letter of intent from the National Federation (NF) interested in hosting the Games, the contract, which includes the Organizing Procedures, is forwarded to the NF and...

Year-end awards for 2007 competitions will be presented at the American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) Annual Awards Luncheon, which will be held Friday, February 15. The association honors their outstanding recipients and is proud to announce the winners during the 2008 ASHA Annual Meeting and Youth Conference. For a complete list of the FEI and Pleasure Award winners, visit http://www.asha.net/fei-p_awards Please join ASHA in congratulating these winners and please make plans to attend...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation has announced that "Hong Kong by Night," a benefit held on February 8, 2008, at the International Polo Club in Wellington, FL, raised $500,000. Generous supporters contributed to the effort by purchasing tables for the dinner and by bidding on three once-in-a-lifetime trip packages in a live auction. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the U.S. equestrian teams competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. A sold-out event, Hong Kong by...

The Dressage Committee proposed a change to the “R” and “S” Dressage Judges Training Program requirements and the Licensed Officials Committee approved this change at the USEF Annual Meeting. The change made to each of these two programs was to allow an ‘r’ (recorded) judge to start the application process for the “R” program after holding the ‘r’ license for two years (24 months) instead of the three years (36 months) previously required. The same change was approved for the “S” program....

The American Saddlebred Horse Association and American Saddlebred Registry, which will conduct their annual convention this week in Lexington, KY, announced audited results for the year ending December 31, 2007. Prize program revenue increased a robust 15.1% to $610,375, well up from the previous year’s mark of $530,155. On a combined basis, 2007 net income for the two corporations was the second highest in history, at $175,982, dipping 9.4% from the previous year’s all-time high of $194,166,...

With the opening of her new training barn, riding academy, and offering of introductory clinics, Melissa Moore’s Sunrise Stables has become the newest presenting sponsor of the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s (ASHA) Annual Convention and Youth Conference. The convention is set for Thursday, February 14, through Saturday, February 16, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Lexington, KY. For more information, visit www.asha.net/ASHA-Annual-Meeting . Moore plans to host a series of three to four...

Thoroughbreds and Riders Able to Gain Recognition for Achievements at National, Regional, Local Levels The North American Thoroughbred Society (NATBS), a company that promotes the interests of Jockey Club-registered North American Thoroughbreds, today announced the first season of its North American Series Awards. The awards Thoroughbred participation as sport horses in all-breed, open shows in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. "The North American Series Awards is a wonderful program...

In what promises to be a new highlight of the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic, to be held for the first time at Silver Oak Equestrian Center in Hampton Falls, NH, a Derby class, sponsored by Mohegan Sun, will offer competitors $15,000 in prize money. The Mohegan Sun Derby will challenge show jumpers with a unique course of 14-16 obstacles, some of which are natural jumps that may include a bank, ditch, water jump, liverpool, hedge or a grob. The Derby will be held on Saturday, September 6,...

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States, will hold its 2008 annual convention in Reno, NV. The two-day program of seminars, informational meetings and a free trade show is set for February 29-March 1 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. Leading experts in equine health care and endurance-related fields will be featured at several seminar sessions as part of the convention’s “Riding With Education” theme. Other...