The Vermont Summer Festival is proud to host a qualifying competition for the prestigious International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Children’s Jumping Final. Open to show jumping athletes ages 12-14, the FEI Children’s Final sees riders from all across the globe competing in this unique annual event. The competition was created to promote and encourage talented young riders by giving them the opportunity to experience international competition with support from the FEI. For the second year in a...

The third annual Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Show will be held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, September 21-25, 2005. See Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians demonstrating supreme athleticism in 69 classes in four divisions: sport horse in-hand and under-saddle, dressage, pleasure carriage driving and hunter/jumper. “We strive to make it exhibitor friendly,” says Show Commissioner Cathy Gage. “We have beautiful...

Boise, Idaho – Three-time Olympic show jumper Kathy Kusner was welcomed as one of the newest honorees to the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, June 8. Kusner joined fellow honorees Drew Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys quarterback) and Louis Zamperini (1936 Olympic runner) for the induction ceremonies at the Boise Center on the Grove in Boise, Idaho. All were singled out for their efforts as role models and humanitarians at the 11th annual induction ceremonies. “I don’t need to...

Allentown, NJ — Jessica Blackmon of Valley View, Texas, and Marlee O’Neil of Chester, Vermont, were named champions in their respective age divisions at the 2005 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals in Allentown, New Jersey, May 27-29. The third-annual Finals took place at the Horse Park of New Jersey, and played host to 23 of the country’s best junior dressage riders, who competed in two age divisions: 13 & under and 14 to 18 years of age. The 17-year-old Blackmon and...

The 152nd Upperville Colt and Horse Show Kick-Off Party on Friday, May 20, was a big success in raising money to benefit the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation. The party was from 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. on the show grounds, and included a fun evening of dancing, fabulous food, a live auction and a silent auction. Music was provided by Johnny White and the Elite Band, who kept guests twirling throughout the night. The live auction consisted of neighbors and friends who have...

Many items are needed for the 2005 Annual ASHA Auction, which will take place Wednesday, August 24, and Thursday, August 25, at the Executive West Hotel during the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show. Last year more than $40,000 was raised as a result of donated items, such as a Tommy Lovell rocking horse, a personalized James Crow charcoal portrait, sculptures and more, being auctioned off during the silent and live auctions. This year the silent auction will take place in the...

Courtesy of Karina Benish (Karina and Hawkeye) He was the ugliest male I had ever seen in my life. He had a bloody wound on his nose, hair six inches long on his chest, and he weighed about 700-800 pounds—400 shy of his best weight. His name was Hawkeye, and he was my partner for more than 14 years. Hawkeye was a mustang horse, and it was he who taught me what it is to trust. Horses, in my opinion, given good care and a little attention, are high up in Maslow’s hierarchy. Since...

The USEF Competitions Department staff is currently in the process of reviewing the 2006-2008 license applications received in the Federation office for completeness and for outstanding issues. Those applications not considered complete will be sent a follow-up letter, addressed to the Licensee. The Licensee will have 30 days from the receipt of the letter to re-submit the requested information. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the USEF Competitions Department via email at...

This year’s FEI Children’s International Jumping Final will be held at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Simi Valley, CA, November 21-27, and it promises to be as exciting as last year’s. The Final for Children between the ages of 12 and 14 as defined by FEI rules brings together riders from various nations around the world not only to compete, but also to meet their peers from other cultures. Qualifying procedures and qualifying classes for the FEI Children’s International Jumping Final are available...

The report detailing the work of those who participated in the nation’s first-ever Unwanted Horse Summit is now available from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The Summit was hosted on April 19, 2005, in Washington, D.C., by the AAEP with the purpose of identifying long-term solutions designed to improve the quality of life of unwanted horses. Over 25 equine industry organizations and individuals participated. Attendees worked in small groups during the Summit to examine...