COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The U.S. Olympic Committee today announced equestrian athlete Megan Benjamin and swimmer Brendan Hansen as its August Athletes of the Month. The USOC Team of the Month was awarded to the USA National Baseball Team. Benjamin (Saratoga, Calif.) won the gold medal in women's vaulting at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany on August 27. She was the first American woman to win the title. The Germans have won 20 of the last 32 World Championships. Benjamin was also...

For Morgan enthusiasts, October means more than just the introduction of fall; it also features the Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show held annually at the Oklahoma Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. The Grand National promises to be another spectacular event this year, taking place October 7-14. Each year the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) selects one USEF Class “A” Morgan Show from each region to be its American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Regional Championship...

The 34rd Annual Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) Grand National Championship Show and Sale brings together the best of the Paso Fino breed to compete head-to-head for various titles during the week-long event, which takes place September 17-23, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agri-Center in Perry, GA. The schedule includes 120 classes ranging from versatility and Western, to performance and Fino. In addition to the competition, with amateur, youth and open divisions, the event...

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to announce the newest inductees to the USEA Eventing Hall of Fame. The official induction will take place during a gala dinner at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention in St. Louis, MO, on December 8, 2006. The ceremony will honor eventing greats, both horse and human. The USEA is proud to include Edward “Denny” Emerson, Michael Page, Karen Stives and the horses Kilkenny and Biko into the Hall of Fame. Edward E. “Denny” Emerson is a...

The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., recently awarded $250,000 in grants to charitable organizations that promote the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public and the equestrian sport as a whole. The “all volunteer” EQUUS Foundation raises funds from two annual events—one held in February during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL, and the the Benefit Luncheon held in June in conjunction with the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show in Westport, CT....

The American Horse Council (AHC) will be holding an Issues Forum in Austin, TX, to discuss current issues facing the horse industry, such as the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and its impact on horse owners. Dr. Bob Hillman (Texas State Veterinarian and Executive Director of the Texas Animal Health Commission), Neil Hammerschmidt (USDA APHIS Veterinary Services Animal Identification Coordinator) and Equine Species Working Group members Dr. Billy Smith (Executive Director of...

Linda Wachtmeister’s and Plain Dealing Farm’s Winsome Adante has taken the lead on the U.S. Eventing Association’s (USEA) All-time High-Point Leaderboard with a record career score of 1,184 points. Giltedge (1,114 points), who represented the U.S. on five international teams with David O’Connor, and who is owned by Mrs. Jacqueline Mars, has headed the all-time high-point leaderboard since his win at the Kentucky CCI**** in 2003 and is now in second place. Hannigan, owned by Bruce Duchossois has...

The American Youth Horse Council (AYHC) is seeking nominations for Youth Leader of the Year, sponsored by the Certified Horsemanship Association. AYHC wants to emphasize how strong adult leadership for young horsemen and horsewomen helps ensure a vital industry for the future. Any leader who volunteers time and effort to the youth horse industry should be recognized as a candidate for the award. The annual award recognizes an adult offering outstanding leadership to young people within the...

The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) is offering members an opportunity to register eligible Appaloosas over two years of age for the reduced rate of only $150. ApHC Regional Clubs are eligible for monetary incentive by recruiting members to take advantage of this special opportunity. Aged Horse Special registration applications will be mailed to ApHC Chartered Regional Clubs on Sept. 15, 2006, and are available by request. Contact the Regional Club Coordinator at (208) 882-7758 (ext. 235), or...

Lexington, KY - On December 2, 2005, the United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) announced the debut of the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Charter Award. This new program is designed for junior members who are current members of both the USEF and their recognized national affiliate. The youth candidates are to demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the USEF and their affiliate through the promotion of the horse. This person is to serve as a role model for their peers. The...