Three days of seminars, one-on-one consultations and networking opportunities for equine business managers, stable owners, trainers, coaches and instructors are right around the corner. The National Riding Instructors Convention takes place October 20-23, 2005, in Orlando, FL, and the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) has announced the line-up of major speakers. This year’s keynote speaker is Susan Harris, best known for her work as a Senior Centered Riding instructor and...

The horse industry is huge, competitive and powerful. But do you know just how huge and powerful we are? According to the American Horse Council's 1996 industry study, the horse industry impacts the United States Gross Domestic Product by $112.1 billion. It provides 1.4 million jobs and pays $1.9 billion in taxes. How competitive is our business? There are approximately 87 breed registries and associations; the largest of which has more than 161,000 members. So how does the 10,000-member...

Hundreds of highly trained horses will descend upon Traverse City, MI, for a three-week United States Equestrian Federation-recognized hunter, jumper and dressage festival slated for July 13–31, 2005. Recognized as “Horse Shows by the Bay,” this unique multi-discipline event qualifies riders and horses for prestigious year-end national finals and titles. Event highlights include a weekly $25,000 grand prix, $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur Owner Prix, young jumper qualifiers,...

SusanJStickle.com (George Williams and Rocher) Gladstone, NJ – George Williams of Delaware, Ohio and his comeback mount Rocher (1991 Westfalen mare), have made their way to the center of the national stage, claiming the title at the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship, Presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc. on Friday. Clear favorites from the start, the pair earned a 70.333% in the USEF Grand Prix on Thursday, a 73.84% in the USEF Grand Prix...

Rapid growth of vaulting in the eastern United States has resulted in more recognized vaulting competitions for area athletes this season. Region IX of the American Vaulting Association (AVA), covering all states from Maine to Mississippi, will be hosting the first East Coast Regional Vaulting Championships July 15-17, 2005, at Fairfax County’s Frying Pan Park, in Herndon, VA. The competition is recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation and the AVA and will contribute to national...

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...

Lexington, KY – Monarch International’s Show Circuit Magazine has again taken on the role of title sponsor for one of the nation’s premier junior hunter competitions, the 2005 Show Circuit Magazine/ USEF National Junior Hunter Championships. The East Coast Championships will be in Saugerties, NY, August 1-2, followed by the West Coast Championships in San Juan Capistrano, CA, August 16-17. Now entering its fifth year of success, the 2005 Show Circuit Magazine/USEF National...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Executive Committee has approved the following Team and Alternate/Individual drivers to represent the United States at the 2005 World Combined Pony Driving Championships and 2005 World Pair Championships for Horses: 2005 FEI World Combined Pony Driving Championships Catton Hall, England, July 14-17 Single Pony Drivers: Sara Schmitt of Glen Gardner, NJ and Suzy Stafford of Bear, DE Alternate/Individual: Muffy Seaton of...

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/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program kicked off 2006 with the first of three official Selection Trials at the CDI Three-Star/Y Cincinnati and Spring Classic I & II, held May 13–15 at Paxton Farm in Batavia, OH. This USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Central Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships showcased the region’s most promising dressage prospects in their quest to qualify for Verden. In a new format this year, the Selection Trial competition is comprised of two...