USEF Announces Dates for the 2012 National Hunter Championships

The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. is pleased to announce the following dates and locations of the 2012 National Hunter Championships:

U.S. Junior Hunter Championship – West Coast: July 23-24, 2012; Showpark Facility, Del Mar, CA

U.S. Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast: July 24-25, 2012; Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY

United States Pony Finals: August 7-12, 2012; Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY

Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. National Hunter Breeding Championship – West: August 29, 2012; Showpark All Seasons Summer Tournament, Del Mar, CA

Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. National Hunter Breeding Championship – East: September 1, 2012; Warrenton Horse Show, Warrenton, VA

For sponsorship opportunities or questions about these events, please contact Lauren Fahey lfahey@usef.org or 859-225-6977.

Tags: equestrian competitions, equestrian disciplines, hunter/jumper, National Hunter Championships, USEF

Sterling Graburn and Ulano Longlisted for the FEI World Singles Driving Championships 2012

Graburn and Ulano at the Katydid CDE, Aiken, N.C.

GEORGETOWN, KY – FEBRUARY 7, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced that Team Sterling – driver Sterling Graburn and the horse Ulano – are now longlisted for a coveted spot on the U.S. Combined Driving Team at the FEI World Singles Driving Championships 2012, to be held in Lezirias, Portugal Sept. 12-16.

Elizabeth Staller, Director of High Performance Driving at USEF, made the eligibility pronouncements in January.

Graburn, who is head trainer at the Gayla Driving Center in Georgetown, KY, is the only Kentucky-based equestrian under consideration for the team. He plans to compete in Florida this spring where the process of final team placings will begin.

Graburn debuted Ulano, owned by Lebanon, Ohio-based Larry Denny, at the Advanced Level at the USEF National Single Horse Championship at the Katydid CDE in Aiken, S.C. last November. Besting 16 more-experienced combinations, Graburn finished 1st in dressage and placed 6th overall – high enough in the rankings to earn consideration for the championship team.

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Tags: dressage, Driving, equestrian disciplines, FEI World Singles Driving Championships, Sterling Graburn, USEF

Action Alert: Arizona’s Burros Need Your Help

Comments Needed for Cibola-Trigo Environmental Assessment

Jennie & foal, Marietta Wild Burro Range, NV

Dear Wild Horse & Burro Supporters;
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages wild burro herds at disastrously low numbers throughout the West. One of the few viable burro herds lives in the immense Cibola-Trigo Herd Management Area (HMA) in southwestern Arizona along the Colorado River — a 600,000 acre area.

Yet, even here, burros are in danger. The inept Sun J roundup crew is set to swoop into their peaceful desert home in early April, the height of the foaling time for burros.* Pregnant jennies are in danger of spontaneous abortion and small foals can be permanently damaged or killed.

350 burros will lose their freedom — roughly half the herd.

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Tags: BLM, Bureau of Land Management, burros, Cloud Foundation, Equine Protection

Kentucky Horse Council Pledges $25,000 to Kentucky Equine Survey

Lexington, KY, February 7, 2012 – The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) today announced that it has pledged $25,000 to the Kentucky Equine Survey.

In November 2011, the University of Kentucky announced the plans for the Kentucky Equine Survey, in partnership with the Kentucky Horse Council. KHC was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Agriculture Development Funds for this survey, with a promise of another $100,000 in funds if the equine industry would match that $100,000 with an equal amount.

“This survey is of extreme importance to the future of our industry,” said Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council. “This will be the first comprehensive survey of Kentucky’s horses in 35 years. We need an accurate and detailed baseline to determine areas for industry growth.  Our pledge is a commitment to this effort. The KHC Board hopes other groups/businesses will respond to this challenge pledge.  All donations, no matter how large or small, are important steps toward this industry goal.”

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Tags: equestrian community, Kentucky Equine Survey, Kentucky Horse Council