Lexington, KY - Chester Weber of Ocala, FL bested a field of five international drivers to win the CAI-A Live Oak CDE held March 16-19. Weber was named the USEF National Four-in-Hand Champion for 2006 and won his fourth consecutive Vanderbilt Trophy from the USET Foundation. Reserve Champion was Tucker S. Johnson of Hobe Sound, FL. When asked about his fourth consecutive National Championship win Weber replied, “I am fortunate enough to have a superb group of horses and a wonderful crew.”...

Lexington, KY – The inaugural meeting of the newly created Carriage Pleasure Driving Committee was held on March 7, 2006, at the USEF Lexington office. The focus of this committee is to develop more opportunities for growth with a broader range of competitions to attend; to monitor and support new rules brought forward from the discipline affiliate, the American Driving Society; and to promote and expand the Horse of the Year and high-point awards. There are 19 members of this new affiliate...

Jan Gyllensten (World Cup show jumping at the Thomas & Mack Arena.) The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and Las Vegas Events, Inc. (LVE) jointly announced that the FEI World Cup Finals in both show jumping and dressage will return to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, April 18-22, 2007. This will mark the fourth time that Las Vegas hosts the FEI World Cup Finals and the second time ever, following the initial time in Las Vegas in 2005, that the world’s premier annual...

Lexington, KY - In late 2005, the FEI determined that to better serve the sport, and because stewards’ responsibilities have considerably expanded, each of the seven FEI disciplines in a National Federation (NF) should have a Steward General. There will also be one overall Coordinating Steward General for each NF. Previously, just one Steward General for all disciplines was appointed in each NF. The new Steward General responsible for each discipline will report directly to the USEF...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (AHSA) and American Saddlebred Registry, which conduct their annual meetings in Lexington, KY, this week, announced results for the year ending December 31, 2005. On a consolidated basis, net income for the two combined corporations doubled to $168,145 from year-ago figures, from $83,713. Combined revenues rose $174,464 or 10%, to $1,928,291 from $1,753,827, net of the Registry’s prize programs, which accounted for another $548,535 in gross revenues,...

2004 Olympic Show Jumping Gold Medalists: McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Chris Kappler and Peter Wylde. (Photo by Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com) Wellington, FL – It was a perfect star spangled afternoon in the Internationale Arena at the Palm Beach Polo and Equestrian Club as Silver turned to Gold when the 2004 Olympic Team Gold medals were awarded to the United States Show Jumping Team. The 2004 Athens Olympic team of Peter Wylde, residing in Maastricht, The Netherlands; McLain Ward of...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation announced that in 2005 it awarded $1.9 million to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) in support of its high-performance programs: dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping and vaulting. The grant was made possible by the generous donations of contributors in response to the USET Foundation’s successful fundraising efforts. “I can’t thank the wonderful and generous contributors to the USET Foundation enough,”...

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...

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) announced that it has agreed to acquire the stock of Farnam Companies, Inc., for approximately $287 million, plus $4 million for the purchase of related real property. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Farnam is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovative health care products primarily for horses, household pets and livestock sold through over-the-counter and veterinary channels. In addition to the internationally recognized Farnam umbrella brand, Farnam’s...

The Pennsylvania Futurity has announced that it will officially be changing its name to more accurately reflect the region and participants to the Penn-Ohio Futurity. In a combined effort to resume its rightful place as a nursery for fine American Saddlebreds, the exhibitors and breeders from the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio have merged forces to promote the Penn-Ohio Futurity as one of the nation's most progressive and responsive futurities. The Ohio Limited Breeders and the Penn-Ohio...