Category Archives: USEF

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, USEF

Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J – Day Three

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Steffen Peters and Weltino's Magic. Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.

Burbank, CA – California’s Jan Ebeling and Rafalca displayed not only their difficult grand prix freestyle routine during the final day of the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J in but also their readiness for the Reem Acra/FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Leipzig later this month. Earning a solid 73.025% and a ticket to the World Cup as one of two North American League representatives, Ebeling and the 14-year-old Oldenburg mare (Argentinius x Ratine by Rubinstein I, owned by Amy Ebeling) seemed very confident. “She’s gotten so much stronger and better this year, and she’s taken it to a whole new level,” said Ebeling. “She felt awesome! She’s finally come into her own now.”

Debuting their Intermediaire I freestyle, Steffen Peters completed his sweep of the small tour with Jen Hlavacek’s Weltino’s Magic (Weltino x Diva by Diamond Boy) by scoring a huge score of 79.417%. “The first word that comes to mind is ‘fun’,” said Peters. “I rode the freestyle a bit conservatively today since it was the first time, but he was right on.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Pestana rode her own Hanoverian gelding Winzalot (Wokenstein II x Frazisco) to a freestyle victory with a score of 67.250% to close out the Young Rider division.

Complete results are available at: http://www.cornerstonedressage.com/show_results.asp.

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, USEF, Western/Reining

Finest Copyshot and Kronsteiner Lead NRHA European Futurity Go Round

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Rudi Kronsteiner and Finest Copyshot. Photo courtesy NRHA

Kreuth, Germany – The 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity & NRHA Show started in Kreuth, Germany today with the first section of the $187,000 added Open Futurity go round. A total of 81 four-year-old reining horses from all over Europe were shown in Ostbayernhalle to kick off the first day of the weeklong show. Austrian Rudi Kronsteiner, 2010 NRHA European Futurity Level 4 Open Champion, had the best run today riding Finest Copyshot to a score of 222.5. The sorrel American Quarter Horse mare is by I Am Shotgunner out of Its Another Footwork by Footworks Finest. Finest Copyshot, bred and owned by Anja Deutzmann, was very successful last year with Bernard Fonck in the saddle. The Belgian who won the 2009 NRHA European Level 4 Open Futurity, was the Western Event Snaffle Bit Level 4 Open Futurity Champion, Oakland Reining Classic Level 4 Open Futurity Champion and Italian Level 4 Open Futurity finalist with this mare.

Bernard Fonck and Ruf Footwork are second at the moment after scoring a 220. Fonck rode the stallion by Footworks Finest out of Jasmines Ruf Blonde (owner and breeder Dr. Paul Van Hooft) to the Austrian Reining Horse Association Western Star Level 4 Open Futurity Championship (for three-year-olds) last year.

Fonck also managed to tie for Level 4 Open third place today riding Big Sky Whizard (Topsail Whiz x Isle Bea Dun It, owned by Color Invest A & S Deredowscy) with Broadmoor Cassie (Broadmoor x Classy Parette, owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi) ridden by Pietro Artinghelli (ITA) – both scoring a 219.5. The mare now leads the Level 3, Level 2 and Level 1 Open Futurity go round with Artinghelli.

Continue reading Finest Copyshot and Kronsteiner Lead NRHA European Futurity Go Round →

Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, USEF

Connemara Stars on “Martha Stewart Show”

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Greystone's Adirondack A'Herne, also known as "Harry.”

New York City – Former United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) member and breeder Cindy Fletcher is the proud owner of Greystone’s Adirondack A’Herne, also known as “Harry,” an 18-year-old bay Connemara stallion who appeared this month on stage at the “Martha Stewart Show.”

Previous to his Martha Stewart stardom, Harry has made his mark in the show ring, winning more than 50 champion or reserve champion driving titles and numerous year-end awards. Harry now serves as an ambassador of sorts for the breed, representing Connemara ponies at both the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games as well as Equine Affairs in Massachusetts.

Named for the region in western Ireland where the breed originated, Connemara ponies are agile creatures renowned for their versatility and gentle, willing dispositions. The sure-footed breed has great stamina and adaptability, and traditionally was used to pull carts loaded with seaweed from the shore up to the potato fields. However, the multifaceted animals are also skilled at just about anything a pony can do – jumping, dressage, driving and long-distance running.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA, USEF

Yoder Wins USEF National Pair Championship; Temple, Matheson and Stroud Win USEF Pony Championships

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Photos: Shelly Temple at Live Oak CDE. Photo credit: Ann Schurtz

Ocala, FL – Joe Yoder driving Jack Wetzel’s pair of Gelderlanders won his first USEF National Pair Championship Sunday at the CAI Live Oak. After finishing second in dressage and winning the marathon, Yoder went into the final Cones phase with a 15-point lead over Katherin Dancer. Three balls down incurred 12 penalties for the young man who just recently relocated from Bozeman, Montana, to Aiken, SC, to drive for Wetzel. Yoder squeaked in just under the 3 minute time allowed to secure his win. Alan Aulson moved into second place, driving his own pair of Morgan horses, after Dancer knocked down five balls and incurred time penalties.

Shelly Temple of Windsor, SC, went into cones with a narrow lead over Suzy Stafford, but managed to keep all the balls on the cones, incurring just 1.61 time penalties to retain the lead and win the USEF National Championship for single ponies. “It was a competitive class,” said Temple. “I was thrilled that my pony went so well. Jack Wetzel kindly lent me a four-wheel Spider Phaeton which made a huge difference from the two-wheeled road cart I usually drive, and it had a very positive effect.”

Continue reading Yoder Wins USEF National Pair Championship; Temple, Matheson and Stroud Win USEF Pony Championships →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, JRPR, USEF

Chester Weber Wins FEI Four-In-Hand Division at The Little Everglades International Combined Driving Event

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Chester Weber, with the new additions of Uniek and Splash, won the FEI Four-In-Hand Division at The Little Everglades International Combined Driving Event, a USEF Selection Trial. (Photo courtesy of Pics of You)

Dade City, FL (March 7, 2011) – Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, proved during The Little Everglades International Combined Driving Event that he could add new horses to his team and still drive into the winner’s circle. Weber, with the new addition of Jane Forbes Clark’s horses, Uniek and Splash, won the FEI Four-In-Hand Division at Little Everglades, a USEF Selection Trial.

“I was pleased with Uniek and Splash and feel that they have made great additions to our depth,” Weber said, following his win at Little Everglades. “I will continue to show them in an effort to learn about them at competitions and how they react.”

Weber added that competing at Little Everglades was a great experience. “The Blanchard’s, owners of Little Everglades Ranch, and Susan Gilliland and her team did a super job organizing the show,” Weber said. “The course was considerably technical in nature and the two new horses were great on the marathon, very straight forward and easy to drive.”

Continue reading Chester Weber Wins FEI Four-In-Hand Division at The Little Everglades International Combined Driving Event →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, EQUUS Foundation, Fundraisers, USEF

USEF and The EQUUS Foundation Team Up to Play Favorites; Can You Help?

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February 25 2011 – Lexington, KY – Who is the most beloved equestrian athlete in America? The clock is ticking. The buzzer sounds. Can you prove it? Actually, you can. All it takes is a $5 gift to The EQUUS Foundation and you’ll be able to “play favorites” in the nationwide fundraising effort “America’s Favorite Equestrian.” The EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) jointly launched the charitable mobile texting game in celebration of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the eight international disciplines represented on the field of play.

Today, both organizations announce the expansion of the inaugural program through 2011, including multiple rounds and eliminations. These rounds will add suspense to the game, as the crowd favorites move forward and those with fewer votes are eliminated. The EQUUS Foundation has also pledged to award a minimum of $10,000 in grants in support of USEF programs within these eight international equestrian disciplines. The discipline generating the greatest number of votes will receive an additional $5,000 grant award for its USEF-affiliated association.

How to Vote:

Visit the link at http://www.equusfoundation.org/vote. For a $5 contribution, you can select your favorite equestrian (listed by discipline) and follow the instructions provided to use mobile texting to vote. After texting your vote, you must reply YES to confirm your vote and $5 donation.

Continue reading USEF and The EQUUS Foundation Team Up to Play Favorites; Can You Help? →

Contributors/Press, USEF

Horses Needed for Metabolic Syndrome and Laminitis Research

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March 01 2011 – The equine genetics research group at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is collaborating with Ray Geor, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, professor and chair of the department of large animal clinical sciences at Michigan State University, and Nicholas Frank, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor of large animal clinical sciences at the University of Tennessee, to investigate the occurrence and genetics of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Bob Coleman, PhD, PAS, associate director for undergraduate education in equine science and management and extension horse specialist at the University of Kentucky also is involved in the study.

EMS is a condition characterized by obesity and/or regional adiposity (cresty neck), elevation of blood insulin levels, and increased risk for laminitis development. Certain horses that seem predisposed to EMS often are referred to as “easy keepers.” These horses are very efficient at utilizing calories and often require a lower plane of nutrition to maintain body weight than other horses. This difference in EMS susceptibility among horses managed under similar conditions is likely the result of a genetic predisposition.

The goal of this investigation is to better understand the role of breed, gender, age, environment (diet and exercise), and genetics in EMS. The success of the study depends on the collection of data from as many horses with EMS as possible; therefore, horse owner and veterinarian assistance is critical.

Continue reading Horses Needed for Metabolic Syndrome and Laminitis Research →

Breeds, Contributors/Press, Events, USEF

American Saddlebred Museum Extends Open Invitation to Don Harris’s 80th Birthday Celebration

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Don Harris and CHImperator. Photo by Jamie Donaldson.

March 01 2011 – Lexington, KY – Friends and family of American Saddlebred icon Don Harris are having a party in honor of his turning 80, and you are invited.

The party will be held on March 12, 2011, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the American Saddlebred Museum’s Showplace for Saddlebreds. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. Don has requested no gifts, but instead asks that his friends make a donation to the American Saddlebred Museum, his favorite charity.

As many of you know, Don and CHImperator share the same birthday, so the party will be a double celebration. This evening with Don will include film footage, reminiscing, stories, and an opportunity to acquire Don’s autograph on some special items. Enjoy an Open Bar, Hors d’oeuvres and Birthday Cake!

Plan now to attend. If you’ve never met Don and always wanted to, this is your opportunity to do so! Come and let Don know how much you’ve admired him or how much he has influenced your life. Your attendance will help make this birthday a special one for Don.

Reservations are required by Friday, March 4, 2011. Make your reservations now on the Museum’s home page at www.asbmuseum.org, or by phone at (859) 259-2746. ext. 305.

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., USEF

10 Questions with… Boyd Martin!

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Boyd Martin. Photo by Mike McNally.

March 04 2011 – Lexington, KY – Welcome to the first of many features profiling various people in equestrian sport – athletes, trainers and more. The profiles will be published regularly in the United States Equestrian Federation’s Week in Review e-newsletter. Is there someone you would like to know more about? Email “10 Questions With” editor Stephanie Doyle at news@usef.org. Then, stay tuned to USEF’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/usequestrianfederation) where you can submit your questions.

Up first – meet superstar eventer Boyd Martin. This Australian native relocated to the United States in 2007 to pursue his dreams of international eventing competition. He and his wife Silva, a Grand Prix dressage rider originally from Germany who now rides for the U.S., operate Windurra USA out of Phillip Dutton’s True Prospect Farm. Now riding for the U.S., Boyd, who has dual citizenship, was the top-finishing American individual and a member of the 4th-placed Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY.

Continue reading 10 Questions with… Boyd Martin! →

Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, USEF

Healthy Horse Tip – As USEF NSAID Rules Change It’s Time to Go Organic

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NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may help mask lameness while reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation, but they can also be very harmful to the equine, whether pet or athlete.

NSAIDs can contribute to GI ulcers, diarrhea from colitis and colic, which all may trigger bouts of laminitis.   Even short term NSAID use has the potential for renal (kidney) and liver toxicity, and may decrease a horse’s health and performance.

Research has shown that NSAIDs may also slow down the healing process of soft tissues.  This means that the patient using NSAIDs may look normal and not have pain evident, but the tissue is weaker longer and at a higher risk for re-injury during the extended healing period.

The USEF now requires an “NSAID Disclosure form” to be filed with the Steward/Technical Delegate if more than one NSAID is used during a competition or in the five days preceding a USEF competition.  The use of Bute and Banamine together is currently prohibited.  Starting December 1, 2011, the presence of only one NSAID will be allowed!  The seven NSAIDs currently allowed with quantitative restrictions are Bute, Banamine, Naproxen, Ketofen, Arquel, Equioxx, and topical Surpass.

Continue reading Healthy Horse Tip – As USEF NSAID Rules Change It’s Time to Go Organic →