The 2005 National Pleasure Horse Award winners have been named in eight divisions, all of which are based on a high-point scoring system. All registered American Saddlebreds are eligible for these awards without payment of additional fees. The National Pleasure Horse Awards are based on a formula that favors horses that are consistent winners across the country. The system, which crowns eight champions, is based on the USEF rating of the show and the number of entries in the class. The complete...

The Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) Board of Directors approved the addition of the Virginia Presidential Paso Fino Horse Association at the 2006 Paso Fino Horse Association Board of Directors and Annual Membership Convention, held January 13-15, in Redondo Beach, CA. The new region will encompass the state of Virginia. According to the PFHA Rule Book , a region is a group of people interested in the aims of the Association. The group must be comprised of at least 30 voting members in good...

Lexington, KY – Following a star-studded performance that warmed our hearts at the Athens Olympic Games more than a year ago, U.S. show jumpers Chris Kappler, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward and Peter Wylde will finally be awarded their Olympic Gold medals at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, just before the Gold Coast Jumper Classic Grand Prix at Circuit Finale in Wellington, FL. In addition, Kappler will be officially awarded the Individual Silver. “This is truly something for all of...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) has totally revamped its International Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes (Sweepstakes) program to rally excitement surrounding the breeding and showing of Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses. Sweepstakes was initiated in 1983 and has served a broad spectrum of the Arabian horse industry, providing almost $4 million in annual prize money at regional and national shows and financial incentives to stallion owners. The new program expands Sweepstakes role...

Mike Ferrara (Lexington, KY) - Throughout the year there are many competitions which are extremely valuable to the various USEF breed organizations but are a challenge to organize due to required expenses. The USEF wishes to support the widest possible network of shows for its breed members and enthusiasts by announcing a new Outreach Grant program. A total of $125,000 has been budgeted in 2006 for grants to financially challenged breed competitions which meet the grant requirements and are...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Charter Club Council has been formed to create more efficient communication channels between ASHA Charter Clubs and the ASHA Board of Directors. Twenty individuals have been selected to form the new Charter Club Council. Two council members from each United States Equestrian Federation-sanctioned region were selected from the submitted nominations. Regions one and two, three and four, and six and seven were grouped together respectively. Two...

The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) has recently developed a new certification program -- the Equine Facilities Manager (EFM) program. This program is done as a 2.5 day clinic to certify four levels of stable employees: - Stable Worker- Qualified to work in a barn under the supervision of a manager - Stable Manager- Qualified to manage a small private stable of up to 10 head and 1-2 employees - Herd Manager- Qualified to manage a public equine facility of up to 35 head and 3-4...

PhelpsPhotos.com (Brentina and Debbie McDonald) (Cincinnati, Ohio)—Among the regalia of the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) annual meeting and black tie gala, Dressage Champion Brentina was named the inaugural Farnam®/ Platform™ • USEF Horse of the Year, the first time one horse has been selected among all breeds and disciplines as the year’s most exceptional horse. Owned by Peggy Thomas of Hailey, Idaho, Brentina is one of the most successful horses in the history of U.S. Dressage...

Thomas D. Brokken, DVM, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, was installed as the 52nd president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) during the group’s annual convention in Seattle, WA, December 3-7. He will serve through 2006. Dr. Brokken has devoted his veterinary career to the care of the Thoroughbred. He is the senior partner of Teigland, Franklin & Brokken, DVMs, P.A., a 12-veterinarian equine medicine and surgery practice dedicated exclusively to Thoroughbred racehorses. Dr....

It is with great sadness that the USEF ParaEquestrian community acknowledges the tragic death of Margo O’Callahan, of Seattle, WA. O’Callahan was killed in a car accident on Sunday, December 18, near the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, where she rode for much of her adult life. O’Callahan’s dog, Eddie, was also killed in the accident, which is still under investigation at this time. Overcoming multiple strokes and an accident which left her with a broken hip,...