Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® announces the formation of the USEF Youth Council, designed to encourage and support existing affiliate youth programs. The goal will be to create the most varied board possible with members from each and every USEF national affiliate. This first-ever council will be made up of youth members, 21 years of age and under, and they must be active in their affiliate’s youth club, organization or young rider program. Applicants should also have...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation® (USEF) has finalized the third list of breed events that will receive outreach grants through the new program announced in January. The maximum grant is $1,000, and grants are still available. A total of $125,000 has been budgeted in 2006 for grants to financially challenged breed competitions that meet the grant requirements and are approved by the USEF. To date, 68 applications have been received and 54 have been approved. Grant...

The 60th annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) will host yet another year of top hunter and jumper competition in the Northwest in 2006. Held at the Buffalo Equestrian Center (BEC), which is formerly known as the Buffalo Saddle and Bridle Club, the horse show has a long tradition of excellence and has seen some of the nation’s best equestrians compete in its hallowed indoor arena. The show will be held September 13-17 and will benefit the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC)....

By Bob Langrish (Beezie Madden and Authentic are leading all show jumpers at the WEG for two days in a row.) It’s double duty again at the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany, as two disciplines played out simultaneously – one of them in the Main Stadium (show jumping) and the other having its first-day opener in Stadium 2 (four-in-hand driving). Both of the disciplines have fans running back and forth to take in the action. In show jumping, it’s Day One of a...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will host an open Hackney/Harness forum during the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show. The forum will be held immediately following the American Hackney Horse Society General Membership meeting, which begins at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the Lock/Heather room at the Executive West hotel on Thursday, August 24. The forum is open to any that wish to attend and will be led by USEF Hackney/Harness committee members. This is your chance...

The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) selected the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine to receive funding for the first ever Equine Consortium for Genetic Research grant. The goal of the grant is to bring together the world’s best researchers in a focused, collaborative effort to improve equine health. The consortium grant, led by University of Minnesota professors Jim Mickelson and Stephanie Valberg, received the highest score out of 27 multi-institutional applications...

The American Horse Council (AHC) has confirmed Dr. Bob Hillman as a speaker for the AHC Issues Forum, which will be held on September 25 in Austin, TX. Dr. Hillman currently serves as the Texas state veterinarian and executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission. He is also currently the chair of the USAHA Committee on Livestock Identification and serves on the Secretary’s Advisory Subcommittee for the National Animal Identification System. “We are excited about Dr. Hillman’s...

Lexington, KY— The fourth annual USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals were held during the Golden State Dressage Warm-Up and Cool-Down Show in Rancho Murieta, CA, July 28-30. Junior dressage riders from across the country competed in their respective age divisions of 13 & under and 14 to 18 years of age. The purpose of the Dressage Seat Medal Program is to promote and reward excellence in equitation, including correct seat, position and use of aids in the sport of dressage. Junior riders in these...

PhelpsPhotos.com/USEF Archives (On the first day of the USEF Pony Finals National Championships, 14-year-old Amber Henter, of St. Petersburg, FL, was in first place in the medium green pony division with a score of 250.) Lexington, KY – Excited children were all abuzz today at the Kentucky Horse Park with their favorite ponies by their sides, all hoping for an experience at this year’s Pony Finals that they will remember for a lifetime. This is the first year that Pony Finals is observing a...

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 and its impact on horse owners. This meeting will also address the recent equine viral arteritis (EVA) outbreak, new developments in taxes for horse owners and breeders, the Unwanted Horse Coalition and access to trails. The meeting will conclude with an “Ask the Experts” panel. “The AHC believes it is critical for...