Lexington, KY - On January 13, the final day of the USEF Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors considered rule change proposals for all breeds and disciplines. Included in this review was the much-discussed “performance standards” proposal from the Dressage Committee, which would establish a qualification process for competing at certain levels at USEF-Licensed Dressage Competitions. After extensive discussion, the Board voted to officially table the proposal until the next USEF Annual Meeting...

Louisville, KY-On Saturday, more than 100 young equestrians and their parents gathered in Louisville’s downtown Hyatt to celebrate their shared love for horses. Organized by the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) Youth Council, this inaugural convention focused on promoting youth involvement from all 18 affiliated breeds and disciplines and ParaEquestrian which operate under the USEF umbrella. Jane Savoie, one of the most recognized names in dressage, kicked-off the activities with a...

Each year, the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) recognizes a member of the organization who has demonstrated exceptional commitment toward USDF through consistent volunteer work. Thanks to a sponsorship from The Paddock Saddlery, that person is presented with the USDF Volunteer of the Year Award to acknowledge their superior efforts. This year, Robert Higgins received the prestigious award presented by The Paddock Saddlery. Higgins was presented with a beautiful bronze perpetual trophy,...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announced its annual award winners, based on ballots tabulated from its board of directors. Nominees for each award are received from the general membership and committee volunteers, screened by the executive committee of the association, and voted on by the full board from the candidates selected. The awards are presented at the Saddlebred Ball, to be held at Keeneland Entertainment Center, Saturday evening, February 16, 2008. Honorees by award...

The Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) is delighted to announce the First Annual Celebrity Roast honoring the birthdays of two icons in the horse industry. George Morris, legendary hunter/jumper guru, and Jessica Ransehausen, a driving force in American dressage, are both turning 70. This birthday celebration will bring together equestrians, fans and well wishers to roast these two legends at a bash to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation/Ride for Hope. Announcer extraordinaire Peter Doubleday...

Short's Sports & Events, a division of Short's Travel Management, has chosen Event Home Leasing to be Short's official private property rental provider for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010. Event Home Leasing (EHL) is based in Louisville, KY, and is owned and operated by Dana and Charles Martin. The Event Home Leasing group has several years of experience in private home and property rentals. Dana served as the Player Accommodation Chairman for the 1996 and 2000 PGA Championships at...

HITS was represented by President and CEO Tom Struzzieri and Dale Harvey of the West Coast Management Team. Zone 10 members were represented by West Coast Active Riders Board Chairman Bernie Traurig and President Will Simpson. Sally Ike, Managing Director of Show Jumping, Leigh Anne Claywell, Director of Competitions, and Allen Rheinheimer, the USEF’s footing expert for this project, served as the USEF representatives. Bart Poels, who is the footing specialist for the 2008 Olympic Games and has...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) Annual Meeting and Youth Conference will be held Thursday–Friday, February 14-16, at the Embassy Suites in Lexington. The weekend ends with the annual Saddlebred Ball at Keeneland Race Course. Open meetings and forums with committees begin Thursday, as is customary, and the Charter Club Council will also conduct a workshop. Thursday evening is highlighted by a Welcome Reception sponsored by the FEI & Emerging Disciplines Committee. Friday...

The Board of Directors of Fair Hill International, Inc. (FHI), has voted not to host a combined driving event at the Dansko Fair Hill International when it returns to the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Fair Hill, MD, October 16-18, 2008. The board made the decision with great reluctance at the recommendation of Fair Hill International Co-President Lana Wright. While Wright reported to the Board that the National Advanced Combined Driving Championships held at Fair Hill in 2007...

On January 5, 2008, the Raleigh Hunt Horse Complex will be the site of the first annual Sporthorse Stallion Exhibition. This location is convenient to the airport and major interstates, nearby hotels and dining. Even if you don’t breed horses, this event is going to be fun and educational—unique opportunity to see many different stallions all in the same place at the same time. Take this chance to meet those breeding stallions that you are considering for your mare for the 2008 season in...