Category Archives: USEF

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, Fundraisers, Phelps Media Group, USEF

‘Salute to Driving’ Benefit Offers Generous Support to USET Foundation

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Bev Lesher, Lisa Singer, and Wendy O'Brien at the Salute to Driving. Photo By: Vicki Long.

Aiken, SC – February 25, 2011 – The first annual ‘Salute to Driving’ event hosted a beautiful Dinner & Live Auction on Saturday, February 19, 2011, to benefit the United States Equestrian Team Foundation and, ultimately, USEF High Performance Combined Driving. The successful evening was held at Wendy O’Brien’s Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, SC. The goal of the event was to help raise funds for the USET Foundation that will be dedicated to helping fund and train the best drivers and equines to represent the USA in World Driving Championships to bring home Team and Individual Medals.

The dinner began at 6:30 pm, and during the evening’s Live Auction attendees helped raise funds for the USET Foundation. Auction items included two lessons with top driver Michael Freund at Little Everglades or Live Oak 2011, two lessons with Chester Weber during Live Oak 2011, a dinner for eight presented by Jack Wetzel at his new log cabin in Aiken, a week long vacation in a large Victorian home on the beach in Cape May, NJ, a week long vacation in Block Island, RI, a print, “Patriots Barn” by Jamie Wyeth, signed and remarqued by the artist and brunch for four at the Green Boundary Club. There were also over 20 raffle items given away through the night that ranged from a professional photo shoot to dancing lessons.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, JRPR, USEF

Award-Winning Combined Driver Chester Weber Appears on HRTV Show Filmed at Live Oak Stud

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Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF Combined Driving National Champion, will appear on an HRTV show filmed on location at Live Oak Stud, Weber’s home, in Ocala. (Photo courtesy of Ray Jowers Ocala Digital Art Masters and Camera Club)

Ocala, FL (February 21, 2011) – Television crews and cameras descended on the rolling hills of Live Oak Stud in Ocala recently, to not only film a show about the farms success in the race horse world but to also interview Combined Driver Chester Weber and capture footage of his famous equine teammate Jamaica. While the show will chronicle the success of Weber’s mother, Charlotte Weber, the owner of Live Oak Stud who has solely guided the 4,500-acre Thoroughbred farm for the last four decades, it will also touch on Weber and his achievements in the combined driving world.

Raised on the family’s Thoroughbred operation, Live Oak Stud, Weber dreamed of being a jockey when he was young. At 6’2” he physically outgrew that possibility, so Weber turned his heart and his attention to driving. Weber soon discovered that driving brought out his competitive nature and he fell in love with the speed and challenge of combined driving.

Considered a force to be reckoned with in the Combined Driving world, Weber is the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Driving Champion. He has competed in three World Equestrian Games, was the first American to win the prestigious German Fahrderby at Riesenbeck and he also accomplished what no other American had done before when he won the Individual Silver Medal at the 2008 World Driving Championships.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, JRPR, USEF

Combined Driver Chester Weber Adds a “Unique Splash” to His Driving Team

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Two new faces welcomed at Live Oak Combined Driving. Splash (left) and Uniek (right) are now part of eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, Chester Weber’s Team. (Photo courtesy of Live Oak Combined Driving)

Ocala, FL (February 15, 2011) – As the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, Chester Weber has made history with his team of horses. Now, the highly-successful and decorated driver is adding two new equine teammates to his barn with the goal of increasing the depth and talent of his world-class combined driving team.

Uniek (pronounced unique and called Nick around the barn) and Splash, two bay, 16.2-hand KWPN horses bred in Holland, are now part of Team Weber thanks to the generosity of Jane Forbes Clark, an active supporter of high performance equestrian sports as well as President and CEO of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. “Following the 2010 World Equestrian Games, Jane and I had a long conversation with the U.S. team coach, Michael Freund, and we identified Nick and Splash as two of the most talented horses in the sport,” Weber said. “We were lucky enough that they seem to fit with the group we have going in size and color. Jane had previously leased the horses but when we made the decision to move forward she purchased them.”

Nick and Splash bring international experience to the table, a component that benefits Team Weber. “With these new horses added to my existing team, our goals for 2011 are to prepare ourselves for the 2012 World Championships in Riesenbeck and to continue to insure our preparedness for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France,” Weber said. “It would also be nice to win a ninth USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Championship.”

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Kentucky Three-Day, USEF, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

International Reining and World Championship Freestyle to Be Held during 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone

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Lexington, Kentucky, USA – Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) have announced that the Kentucky Reining Cup, which includes international Reining and the first-ever World Championship Freestyle, will be held in addition to this year’s event at the Kentucky Horse Park, April 28 – May 1.

One of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and the only CCI**** in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, annually attracts 50-100,000 spectators and millions of viewers on international telecasts including a 60-minute domestic broadcast on NBC.

The Kentucky Reining Cup competition, currently pending final approval by the FEI (International Equestrian Federation), will be managed by HorsePower, Inc., Reining’s leading event production firm, and will include a Five Star Reining competition, known as a CRI5* (Concours de Reining International), the sport’s highest level, as well as the first-ever World Championship Freestyle.  The CRI5* will offer $50,000US in prize money and will be the only Five Star Reining event in the western hemisphere in 2011.

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Awards, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

Connemaras Honored with Special USEF Awards

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Donna Miller and ArdCeltic Art. Photo courtesy Donna Miller.

Lexington, KY – Each year at the United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year awards dinner, two Connemara Ponies are honored with special awards from the American Connemara Pony Society for excellence in USEF eventing and hunter competitions.

The McKenna Trophy is awarded in memory of Joan McKenna, and is presented to the high scoring purebred or halfbred Connemara competing in USEF eventing competitions at the Preliminary level or above. This year the McKenna Trophy was presented to ArdCeltic Art owned by Donna Miller of Alpharetta, GA. In 2010, ArdCeltic Art successfully competed at the Preliminary level with his owner, and also won in his debut in Intermediate with Clark Montgomery in the irons.

The Clifden Trophy, donated by D. J. Moore and Laura Balding, is given to the high scoring purebred or halfbred Connemara competing in USEF Pony Hunter divisions. The trophy was awarded again this year to Micaela Kennedy’s First Kiss. First Kiss was shown throughout 2010 with much success by Will Kennedy, Ashley Foster, Brianna Sims, Taylor Curry, Emily Hartley and Matthew Sassmannhausen.

Congratulations to both Connemaras on these outstanding achievements! For more information regarding the Clifden and McKenna trophies, please visit www.acps.org or contact Mary Vance at mvance@usef.org or (859) 225-6951.

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Eventing/H.T., FEI, USEA, USEF

USEF Helmet Rule Update: Executive Committee to Consider Changes Defining Application to Breed Competitions

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Steffen Peters wore a helmet during the Dressage Freestyle at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF Archive

Lexington, KY – The Executive Committee of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will meet to consider Extraordinary Rule Changes to clearly define the implementation of the Federation’s new helmet rule to breed competitions that offer dressage classes. The committee will meet later this month to discuss the changes, which will clarify the rule in the Andalusian, Arabian, Friesian and Morgan divisions of USEF Licensed Competitions.

To review the latest memo regarding the use of protective headgear for dressage, visit: http://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/dressage/HelmetMemo.pdf.

To reiterate the existing guidelines, please refer to the press release below, regarding the new helmet rules for dressage and eventing. To link directly to this press release online (for inclusion in an article), visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=6569&star=true.

Lexington, KY – January 25, 2011 – The Board of Directors during this year’s United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Annual Meeting approved new helmet rules for riders in both eventing and dressage – just two weeks after dozens of stakeholders in equestrian sport met with the goal of improving rider safety across disciplines.

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

Combined Driver Chester Weber Wins “2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses” Title

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Chester Weber won the 2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses title during the recent USEF Horse of the Year awards ceremony in Lexington. (Photo: Jennifer Thompson, DVM)

Lexington, KY (February 3, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber may be in the running for the most decorated Combined Driver in United States history, but he doesn’t just settle for winning awards. Weber is also an extremely active member of the United States Equestrian Federation and in January was elected to serve on the USEF Executive Committee at the USEF National Convention in Lexington, Kentucky.

“Combined Driving is my passion but my passion also extends to promoting and protecting all equestrian sports and serving on the governing body of the USEF,” Weber said, adding that he was thrilled when his team of horses won the 2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses title during the convention in Lexington. “It was great to receive recognition in front of all of our sport horse peers.”

Weber’s horses that made up the 2010 Horse of the Year winning team included Para, Boy W, Grumus and Horus du Bois. “I am very proud of all of my horses,” Weber said, adding that he wants to thank his entire team, from staff to sponsors, for helping Team Weber win the award.

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Breeds, Contributors/Press, USEF

Arabian Horse Foundation Receives Major Gift for Equine Rescue and Equine Research

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Aurora, CO — The Arabian Horse Foundation has announced it received a $50,000 gift from the Barbara Wright Hutton Trust, the largest gift the non-profit entity has ever received since re-launching in 2007. The $50,000 gift was directed to horse rescue and rehoming and to equine research.

“This gift speaks volumes for the message it conveys and represents an investment in the future of the Foundation,” said AHF President Larry Kinneer. “It is a clear indication of a family’s belief and trust in the Foundation to use their gift wisely. The Foundation board deeply appreciates this major gift.”

“I know my aunt would be pleased to know that her gift will be used for something that meant a lot to her and will make a difference in impacting the welfare of horses,” stated Wright Hutton’s niece, Jackie Johnston, an Arabian horse owner and an AHA judge of national and international shows.

Ms. Wright Hutton lived in St. Louis, MO, owned an Arabian and loved horses. Johnston describes her aunt as “a charitable person,” and recalls that her aunt, “truly enjoyed horses,” and was introduced to horses at various camps at an early age. Prior to Wright Hutton’s passing in 2008, she urged Johnston, the executor and a trustee of her Trust, to give to worthy animal charities.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13073

Community/Charity, Conferences, Contributors/Press, Events, Training/Clinics, USEF

Certified Horsemanship Association Produces Regional Conferences around the Continent for All Horse Enthusiasts

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Lexington, KY – The Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Regional Conferences are being held around the continent this year. These educational events are open to the public and provide horses for participants to ride with top instructors. Press are invited to attend. Other are being added to the below list all the time at http://www.cha-ahse.org/regions.htm.

Region 1 (British Columbia, WA, Western MT, ID, OR, Alberta)
Conference – Canyonview Equestrian Center in Silverton, OR – February 24-27
Contact Sherilyn Sander at (971) 239-1348or at sherilyns@canyonview.us

Region 2 (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Eastern MT, ND, SD)
Conference – Horse 3 at Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba – April 15-17
Contact Tara Reimer (204) 392-6308 or at tara@cloud9ranch.ca

Region 3 (MN, WI, Western Ontario, Upper MI, IA, IL)
Conference – Minnesota Horse Expo/Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul – April 29–May 1
Contact Laura Jones at (807) 577-3630 or at fljones@tbaytel.net

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Associations/Breeds, Awards, Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, USEF

ASHA High Point Awards Program to Replace ASHA Regional Championships

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Lexington, KY – The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced that the ASHA Regional Championships have been discontinued, effective in 2011.

This change allows for more focus to be placed on the new ASHA High Point Awards program being implemented in the 2011 competition year. The ASHA High Point Awards program, an initiative of the Charter Club Council, recognizes Saddlebred and Half Saddlebred achievement, not only in the traditional show ring, but also in a wide range of open breed competition including dressage, combined driving, eventing, endurance/distance/competitive trail, hunter/jumper, and other disciplines.

In order for the ASHA High Point Awards program to be as comprehensive as possible, ASHA encourages management of all competitions where Saddlebreds and Half-Saddlebreds compete, to register their competitions with ASHA and be included on the ASHA Competition Calendar. The competition registration form can be found here. All ASHA members are urged to notify ASHA if a competition in their local area is missing from the ASHA Competition Calendar.

Full details of the ASHA High Point Awards program are posted on the ASHA website, www.asha.net.

For questions about the ASHA High Point Awards program, contact Brenda Newell, Senior Program Administrator, at 859.475.1461 or b.newell@asha.net, or Susan Harris, Registry Associate/Competitions, at 864.293.2741 or s.harris@asha.net.