All posts by Associate Editor

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF

USEF Announces Dates and Location for 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced the dates and location for the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions which will also serve as the USEF Selection Trials for the US Dressage Team for the 2011 Pan American Games.

The competition will be held over four days, September 8-11, 2011, at the USET Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ.

The best horse/rider combinations in the following divisions will vie for national dressage championships: Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup,’ Young Rider and Junior. For the first time in 2011, a National Pony Dressage Championship will also be run.

The Intermediaire I National Championship will also serve as the USEF Selection Trial for the US Dressage Team for the 2011 Pan American Games.

The Pan American Games will run in Guadalajara, Mexico in October, the U.S. Dressage Team will be looking to repeat their Gold medal effort from 2007.

For more information about High Performance Dressage, please visit:
http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/hpDressage.aspx.

Or contact Jenny Van Wieren, USEF Director of Dressage, High Performance at jvanwieren@usef.org.

© Copyright 2011 United States Equestrian Federation

Community/Charity, Equestrian Assistance, USEF

Riders4Helmets Announces International Helmet Awareness Day 2011

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Lexington, KY – Building on the success of National Helmet Awareness Day 2010, the popular helmet awareness campaign Riders4Helmets.com has announced plans to host International Helmet Awareness Day 2011 on Saturday, June 11. Riders4Helmets has teamed up with leading helmet manufacturers to offer discounts on helmets to equestrians via participating retailers globally on this day. More than 300 retailers in the U.S. and eight retailers internationally offered discounts on helmets from eight different manufacturers during last years’ event. It is anticipated that the 2011 event will attract participation from more than 500 equestrian retailers globally.

Helmet brands that have committed involvement in the promotion to date include Samshield, Troxel, Charles Owen, GPA, Aegis (Devon-Aire), Pegasus, Tipperary, Ovation, IRH and KEP Italia. Additional manufacturers are expected to commit to participating and will be announced in due course.

Individuals or organizations wishing to hold an event to recognize International Helmet Awareness Day may email admin@riders4helmets.com for helmet awareness graphics and other support materials. “You can participate and show your support just by wearing a helmet on June 11, no matter whether you are trail riding, showing or competing,” said Lyndsey White, co-founder of the riders4helmets campaign. “Additionally, Riders4Helmets logo wear is available for purchase at www.equestriancollections.com for equestrians who wish to show their support for the campaign.”

Continue reading Riders4Helmets Announces International Helmet Awareness Day 2011 →

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, Pan American Games, USEF

Eventing Mandatory Outing Information for 2011 Pan American Games

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Lexington, KY – The USEF has announced that the Mandatory Outing for Eventing for the 2011 Pan American Games will be held at the Richland Park Horse Trials in Richland, Michigan, August 25-28, 2011.

The event will run a separate division for the USEF Short Listed riders.  Their division will include the FEI CCI2* dressage test and the Advanced Cross Country and Jumping tracks. The USEF will name a partial Short List for the Games after the Bromont CCI, which will be held June 9-12, 2011. The Event at Rebecca Farm (July 21-24) is the last selection trial designated in the Selection Procedures, after which the final and complete Short List will be named.

Short Listed horse/rider combinations must compete in the Mandatory Outing, unless excused for veterinary, medical or exceptional circumstances.

The Pan American Games will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico this fall and eventing will be run at the CCI2* level. The eventing competition will take place from October 20-23, 2011.

Richland Park features Horse Trials from Novice to Advanced, a CIC3* and a CIC2* as well Young Horse Divisions.

More information about Richland Park is available here: http://www.richlandpark.com/index.html.

More information about the 2011 Pan American Games is available here: http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/eng/01_inicio/index.asp.

USEF High Performance Eventing Information is available here: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alleventing/hpeventing.aspx, which includes a list of applicants for the Games.

Breeds, Racing Sources

Two AQHA Committees Combine to Form Shows and Pro Horsemen Committee

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The American Quarter Horse Journal – To better utilize the talents of the professionals within the American Quarter Horse show industry, two American Quarter Horse Association standing committees have been replaced with a new committee: the AQHA Shows and Professional Horsemen Committee.

“This is a great integration of professional horsemen,” said AQHA President Peter J. Cofrancesco III. “It’s a forward-thinking recommendation that was considered and approved at the 2011 AQHA Convention and allows professionals on the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Committee to have input into the programs, events and areas of the show industry where they can have the greatest effect. It streamlines certain areas of the rule-change development, recommendation and adoption process, and it better utilizes the talents and expertise of the professional horsemen pool.”

Cofrancesco is quick to point out that the new committee brings together the strengths of both the previous show and professional horsemen’s committees.

“We compliment the Professional Horsemen’s Committee for everything it did to get the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Association up and running,” he added. “With this integration of the two committees, AQHA will be able to develop more programs, membership ideas and more professional horsemen who can be utilized on AQHA committees and task forces for various initiatives.

Continue reading Two AQHA Committees Combine to Form Shows and Pro Horsemen Committee →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Racing Sources, Western/Reining

AQHA: More Exhibitors Recognized at This Year’s World Shows

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The American Quarter Horse Journal — The American Quarter Horse Association will be recognizing a new level of exhibitors at four of its world championship shows this year.

At the 2011 Built Ford Tough AQHYA, Adequan Select, Bank of America Amateur and Fedex Open world championship shows, AQHA will recognize the top three Intermediate exhibitors in each youth, amateur, Select and open class.

“This is a great way to introduce some of the show or competition-leveling concepts that AQHA has been exploring over the last couple of years,” said AQHA President Peter J. Cofrancesco III. “Recognizing the Intermediate exhibitor is a way to shine the spotlight on exhibitors who have worked hard to qualify for our world shows and are tough competitors at our world shows year after year, but don’t make it into the top 10.”

Continue reading AQHA: More Exhibitors Recognized at This Year’s World Shows →

Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group, USEF

Through a Gift from Betsy Juliano, USET Foundation Provides Funding for Dressage Elite High Performance Clinics

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Clinics to be administered by United States Equestrian Federation

Gladstone, NJ – May 23, 2011 – The USET Foundation is pleased to announce that four Elite Dressage Rider Clinics are to be held this fall. Two clinics will be held on the west coast and two on the east cost, both with U.S. Olympic athlete and World Equestrian Games medalist Steffen Peters and USEF Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons. The clinics will be by invitation only for horse and rider combinations on the USEF Grand Prix Long List and are designed to provide guidance and instruction for the top U.S. Dressage horses and riders in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games. The USEF Dressage High Performance Committee will develop specific invitation criteria for the clinics based on recommendations from Anne Gribbons.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer these clinics thanks to the generosity of Betsy Juliano,” stated USET Foundation President, Jane Forbes Clark. “Betsy has made a gift commitment through 2014, which will ensure that these important clinics take place, helping to prepare our horses and riders for international championship competition.  Betsy truly understands the value and importance of making sure our riders receive the high level of training and guidance that will continue to make the United States competitive among the top Dressage nations,” Clark remarked. Juliano, the owner of Havensafe Farm, is a member of the USET Foundation National Advisory Committee, a competitor in the adult amateur division and the owner of international prospects.

Continue reading Through a Gift from Betsy Juliano, USET Foundation Provides Funding for Dressage Elite High Performance Clinics →

Community/Charity, JRPR, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Chester Weber Recommends New Award-Winning Documentary “BUCK”

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Film Depicts the Life of Cowboy Buck Brannaman

Chester Weber recommends the documentary “BUCK” to horse lovers and equestrian enthusiasts of all kinds. The film depicts the life of cowboy and horse whisperer Buck Brannaman. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Ocala, FL (May 23, 2011) – The new documentary “BUCK,” based on the true story of cowboy Buck Brannaman, depicts the life and times of the genuine horse whisperer. Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, has joined forces with Juliet Weber Reid, Jazz Johnson Merton and Georgina Bloomberg to support the movie, which is sure to enthrall horse lovers of all kinds.

Presented by REACT to FILM, the screening will take place Monday, June 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the SoHo House in New York. “‘BUCK’ has already won numerous film festival awards and it is an uplifting documentary,” Weber said. “The real life Buck will be on hand at the screening, along with the film’s director. They will do a question and answer segment after the film.”

Dennis and Coralie Paul founded REACT to FILM, a nonprofit organization that leverages documentary filmmaking to activate young people on social issues. The film follows the life of Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life horse whisperer, Brannaman eschews the violence of his youth to teach people how to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment.

Continue reading Chester Weber Recommends New Award-Winning Documentary “BUCK” →

Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood

Cory Hardy Captures $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby at the 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival

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Cory Hardy and Connor won the $10,000 Fieldstone 3'3" Hunter Derby. Photos © 2011 Anne Gittins

Halifax, MA – May 22, 2011 – The 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival concluded its final day of competition on Sunday with an exciting schedule of hunter derby events all held on the Fieldstone Equestrian and Show Facility’s beautiful grass Grand Prix Field. The $10,000 3’3” Hunter Derby was the feature event of the day with a great win for local professional rider and trainer Cory Hardy, of Waltham, MA. Hardy guided Mary Chase’s seven-year-old German Warmblood gelding Connor to the win following two rounds of competition. A $2,500 2’9” Hunter Derby immediately followed with a victory for 17-year-old Susan Huyett, of Concord, MA, riding her ten-year-old Oldenburg gelding Huckleberry Finn.

Course designer Nathan Panetta, of Warner, NH, set the tracks for today’s hunter derby classes. The $10,000 3’3” Hunter Derby was held first on the beautiful grass field with 22 entries and the top twelve returning for round two. Class winners Cory Hardy and Connor finished round one with a score of 78 and then had a fantastic trip in round two to score an 85, tallying the highest two round total of 163.

Elizabeth Kenny and Donald Stewart’s Don Juan finished in second place, just one point behind the winning pair, with a 162 total from combined scores of 80 and 82. David Oliynyk and Generous, owned by Lori Gaudet, finished with scores of 81 and 80 for a 161 total in third place. Hardy and his second mount Le Chasseur, also owned by Mary Chase, finished in fourth with scores of 83 and 77 to total 160. Robert Lee and Shock Top scored a 76 in the first round and then earned an 83 in round two to finish with an overall score of 159 for fifth place.

Continue reading Cory Hardy Captures $10,000 3’3″ Hunter Derby at the 2011 Fieldstone Spring Festival →

Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Hannah Goodson Earns Top Honors in Junior Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

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Hannah Goodson-Cutt and Caretano at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo Credit: Holly Whiteman

Lexington KY – May 21, 2011 – Today was another beautiful sunny day at the Kentucky Spring Classic, held at the prestigious Kentucky Horse Park. The Stonelea Arena presented championship honors in the Junior Hunter Divisions as they wrapped up their second day of competition. Hannah Goodson-Cutt earned two tricolors with her mounts Caretano and Superman in the Junior 16-17 Hunter Divisions. Catherine Tyree also earned championship and reserve championship awards with her mounts Savant and Concetto in the Junior 16-17 Hunter Divisions.

The Small Junior 16-17 Hunter Division awarded championship honors to Hannah Goodson-Cutt and Caretano. The duo earned three blue ribbons, and red and yellow ribbons to secure the championship honors.

“He was good in all his rounds,” noted Goodson-Cutt. “Yesterday, he was good in all his rounds. He went amazing and I was very happy with our results. Today was also good and he feels really great and feels soft and I am excited for how he will be at Devon.”

Continue reading Hannah Goodson Earns Top Honors in Junior Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic →

Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, Events, FEI

FEI Central Asian Endurance Championship 2011

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Bissemaganbetov Captures Gold as Kazakhstan Scoops All the Medals, by Louise Parkes

Lausanne (SUI), 24 May 2011 – The host nation of Kazakhstan captured all the medals at the 2011 FEI Central Asian Endurance Championship staged in Talgar earlier this month.  Altyngali Bissemaganbetov claimed gold, while Amangeldy Munaitbayev took silver and Kairzhan Andybay clinched the bronze.  Just six of the 16 starters completed the 80kms course, and the only non-Kazakh in the final line-up was the sole competitor from Turkmenistan, sixth-placed Oleg Karabayev.

Bissemaganbetov made history as he secured his success riding the Adai horse Oyly.  The Adai, a breed native to Kazakhstan, was only recently awarded an official pedigree following tests conducted by a State Commission in the Mangistau Steppes earlier this year. These horses are cherished for their hardiness, and Oyly proved just how tough they can be.

GROWING
The sport of Endurance is growing in the region, and Kyrgyzstan was also represented as the competition got underway on 15 May.  Talgar, which lies close to the city of Almaty, is at the foothills of the Zailiisky Mountains where the Asian winter-sports championships regularly take place.  The town is also on the Silk Road – the network of trade routes that stretches across Asia, linking East to West – and close to the Caspian Sea.  Demonstrating the spread of the sport, some of the competitors travelled over 500 kilometres to compete in the championship.

Continue reading FEI Central Asian Endurance Championship 2011 →