Category Archives: USEF

The EQUUS Foundation and the USEF Launch America’s Favorite Equestrian

WESTPORT, CT – December 17, 2010 – America’s Favorite Equestrian is an interactive fundraising effort presented jointly in partnership by The EQUUS Foundation and The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to raise funds to advance the equestrian sport on an annual basis.

Using mobile texting, you can vote to select America’s Favorite Equestrians and support The EQUUS Foundation with a $5 gift. 100% of all donations will be used to support charitable causes. A minimum of $10,000 in “sport welfare” grants will be awarded, with an additional $5,000 grant awarded to the equestrian discipline generating the most votes.

The objective is for the America’s Favorite Equestrians to be an ongoing program with all equestrian disciplines/breeds represented and the winners recognized in a permanent “Hall of Fame”. The original intent was to launch the inaugural program in conjunction with the World Equestrian Games, which is why initially the eight disciplines of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para-dressage, reining, and vaulting were selected. The affiliates of the United States Equestrian Federation representing these disciplines selected the equestrians.  But, there were some logistics involved in establishing the mobile texting system and developing the website, which delayed the launch until December.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12751

More Than 30 Entries Received for the NRHA Open World Championship Shootout

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – November 17, 2010 – More than 30 entries have been received for the inaugural $100,000 added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) World Championship Shootout. The Shootout is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 2 at the NRHA Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show. It is this year’s largest added money NRHA-approved class in the world.

The $100,000 added Shootout, sponsored by Equine Sports Medicine and Kyle Tack, is an “Open-to-the-World” class where the top Open reining horses on the planet may compete in a dramatic showdown for the winner’s estimated purse of $30,000. Entries can still be submitted with the appropriate late fee.

In addition, the 2010 NRHA Open World Champion will be recognized and honored at the show – even though the World Champion and the Shootout winner may not be the same. To be named the 2010 NRHA Open World Champion, the horse must have earned money in seven or more NRHA Category 1 Open classes. Below is a list of NRHA Open World Championship contenders that have earned money at 6 or more NRHA Category 1 Open classes. These horses are scheduled to compete on December 2.

Continue reading More Than 30 Entries Received for the NRHA Open World Championship Shootout

2010 U.S. Nationals Underway in Tulsa

Kelly Stayton and DF Magnifico win the Arabian Western Pleasure Select AATR. Photo by Mike Ferrara.

The end of October means Arabian horses in Tulsa, OK, and right now 1,565 of the world’s finest Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian show horses are competing for 134 national championship titles. The U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (U.S. Nationals) is underway at Expo Square through October 30. U.S. Nationals is the flagship competition for the Arabian horse industry and is produced by the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, CO.

U.S. Nationals
The nine-day show is the grand finale of the Arabian horse national show season, which also includes Youth Nationals, Canadian Nationals and Sport Horse Nationals. The show hosts 134 classes across several disciplines, including English, mounted native costume, pleasure driving, reining, halter, working cow, hunter and Western pleasure. This year 45 states, six Canadian provinces and a total of eight countries are represented, making for outstanding competition.

Continue reading 2010 U.S. Nationals Underway in Tulsa

Rozycki, Hoiness, Gaines and Southern Claim USEF National CCI1* Eventing Championships at The Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge

Kristen Rozycki and Full Circle. Photo by Stock Image Services.com.

Lexington, KY – On a blustery fall day the USEF National CCI1* Championships concluded with some of the United States’ best up-and-coming combinations contesting the show jumping phase. Champions were crowned across four separate divisions at the competition that was held in combination with the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Kristen Rozycki (Barrington, IL) claimed the National CC1* Championship with her own Full Circle finishing on a score of 47.2. Rozycki and the Thoroughbred mare jumped clear over the challenging Derek Di Grazia designed cross-country course and were again flawless in the final phase. The pair moved into first place after overnight leader Missy Ransehousen and Fantastik collected four faults over Cathy Weischhoff’s technical show jumping track.

Rozycki could not have been more pleased with the horse she has done all the training with herself. “I’m really happy with my horse this weekend. She was great.”

Continue reading Rozycki, Hoiness, Gaines and Southern Claim USEF National CCI1* Eventing Championships at The Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge

USEF Names U.S. Dressage Team for 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

September 17 2010 – Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named the following horse/rider combinations to the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to be held September 25-October 10, 2010 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The following horse/rider combinations have been named to the team (in ranked order):

Name/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Sex/Breed/Owner

Tina Konyot/ 48/Palm City, FL/Calecto V/12/S/Danish Warmblood/Tina Konyot and John Byrialsen
Todd Flettrich/40/Royal Palm Beach, FL/Otto/14/G/Danish Warmblood/Cherry Knoll Farm
Katherine Bateson-Chandler/35/Wellington, FL/Nartan/15/G/KWPN/Jane Forbes Clark
Steffen Peters/45/San Diego, CA/Ravel/12/G/KWPN/Four Winds Farm

The following horse/rider combinations have been named as substitutes (in ranked order):

Catherine Haddad/46/Vechta, Germany/Winyamaro/10/G/Hanoverian/Catherine Haddad
Pierre St. Jacques/45/Anthony, FL/Lucky Tiger/15/G/Danish Warmblood/Pierre St. Jacques
Sue Blinks/52/Encinitas, CA/Robin Hood/12/G/Dutch Warmblood/The Minnesota Group, LLC
Jan Ebeling/51/Moorpark, CA/Rafalca/13/M/Oldenberg/Ann Romney and Amy Ebeling

By Joanie Morris

Busting WEG Myths – Hotels and Parking

Greetings from Lexington, Kentucky!

I’ve been traveling a lot recently and have been part of numerous conversations about the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. While in Aachen, Germany last week, I had the opportunity to talk about Games planning. I heard from quite a few people who said they wanted to attend, but were hesitant because of rumors that hotels are sold out. Not so! There are plenty of rooms available with an assortment of rates. Click on the image of the map attached. This is an interactive tool – simply drag your mouse over the cities listed to find out which hotels still have space, as well as rates, proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park and availability of shuttle service. It’s easy to make reservations using the Games website at www.alltechfeigames.com. Look for the “accommodations” tab on the lower right side of the home page.

Here in the States, there’s another rumor going around that parking and transportation will be a problem. Nothing of the sort! There are three easy ways to get to the Kentucky Horse Park: LexTran city buses will be leaving downtown throughout the day with an incredibly low round trip rate of $2; Select hotels are offering shuttle service for $15 round trip; and if you want the convenience of driving to the Park, parking is available within walking distance for only $20. There really is a price and level of convenience for everyone.

With only 63 days till opening ceremonies, make your reservations now as tickets are going fast. For direct links to ticketing, as well as hospitality, visit www.USEF.org/WEG/tickets/.

Please share this message with your colleagues and friends.

See you in September!

John Long

Chairman, World Games 2010 Foundation
CEO, United States Equestrian Federation

Reining Horses Sought for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Photo by Rick Osteen
Photo by Rick Osteen

March 19, 2010 – Lexington, KY – Do you have a world-class Reining horse in your barn looking for a rider on which to represent their country?

Scores of athletes from around the world will be coming to the US this fall to compete in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games – one of the most prestigious equestrian events in the world. Many of these international competitors will be seeking quality horses to lease for the duration of the competition. Horses must be actively competitive and at least six years of age to qualify.

Ever thought your horse might turn up on TV on a major network?

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to support the athletes from around the world and help grow the western horse sports internationally. Now is your chance: let your horse fulfill its potential on the world stage and take part in history.

Get your horse’s paperwork started and on the “available” list today! Already, there are riders ready to talk to qualified horse owners.

To add your name to a list of contacts for interested reining athletes please contact Brad Ettleman with HorsePower, Reining Manager to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, at 720.982.3574 or Brad@HPowerInc.com.

Gunner Shoots Past Another National Reining Horse Association Milestone

Colonels Smokingun (aka Gunner) is the first registered American Paint Horse to join the exclusive list of NRHA Two Million Dollar Sires. Photo Courtesy APHA/Abigail Wilder Boatwright (2007)
Colonels Smokingun (aka Gunner) is the first registered American Paint Horse to join the exclusive list of NRHA Two Million Dollar Sires. Photo Courtesy APHA/Abigail Wilder Boatwright (2007)

March 31, 2010 – Colonels Smokingun, better known as Gunner in the reining world, has recently been named the unofficial eighth National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Two Million Dollar Sire. He accomplished this only three years after being named a NRHA One Million Dollar Sire. This was, in part, due to the recent successes of his offspring at the 2009 NRHA Open Futurity, the 2010 NRHA European Futurity and the 2010 Cactus Reining Classic, which brought his unofficial total NRHA offspring earnings to $2,000,453. Gunner was the first American Paint Horse to achieve the NRHA million-dollar mark, and is now the first Paint to reach the two million dollar mark.

Sired by Colonelfourfreckle (AQHA son of Colonel Freckles) and out of Katie Gun (AQHA), the bald-faced stallion, which is registered with the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), has an impressive lifetime record with the association. He won back-to-back World Championship Paint Horse Show Open reining titles in both 1996 and 1997, in addition to the other reining honors he earned throughout his career with APHA.

Continue reading Gunner Shoots Past Another National Reining Horse Association Milestone

Dressage Superstar Ravel Named 2009 USEF Farnam/Platform Horse of the Year

Ravel and Steffen Peters winning the 2009 FEI World Cup Dressage Final.
Ravel and Steffen Peters winning the 2009 FEI World Cup Dressage Final.

January 15 2010 Louisville, KY – Annually, five of the USEF’s 130,000 registered horses achieve so much in a year that they are named USEF Horses of Honor and enter the running for the title of Farnam/Platform Horse of the Year.

In 2009 all five of these horses were nothing short of remarkable.

But one forever changed the face of his sport, and with that, Ravel was voted the 2009 USEF Farnam/Platform Horse of the Year.

It began in April at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final when, with the weight of a nation on his 11-year-old shoulders, Ravel trotted back into Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Arena after winning the Grand Prix to perform his Freestyle.

He delivered. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9865

Kentucky Horse Council Works to Demystify Green Horse Farming

January 05 2010 – If spreading manure and draining waste water onto plants is your idea of going green you may be in for a big surprise. As large scale agriculture production facilities alter their management strategies to become more environmentally conscientious the spotlight transitions to the small farmer.

In an effort to provide up-to-date information on green equine initiatives, the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) recently added a Going Green page to the Farm & Business segment of their website. The page includes links to information and articles featuring green horse farming techniques and tactics.

“Generations of horsemen having employed an array of land and stable management practices may find themselves struggling with how best to identify and utilize greener strategies. Through the Kentucky Horse Council website, those individuals can network to learn about green horse farming in the Commonwealth and around the world,” observed KHC Board President Madelyn Millard. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9670

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