Tampa, FL – December 18, 2012 – The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show is pleased to welcome world class trail clinician Tim Kimura of Oak Point, TX, who will be designing the trail patterns and conducting clinics during the event. Scheduled for December 27-31, 2012 at the Florida State Fairgrounds’ Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa, FL, the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Show features five full days of events including Hunters, Equitation, Reining, Western Pleasure, Trail Riding, Driving, Showmanship and Halter classes. This year, the show ends on the 31st to help exhibitors take advantage of the six shows needed to accumulate points before the end of the year for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).
Nicknamed the “Man of Trail,” Kimura has been a trail course designer for over 25 years and draws around 100 trail patterns each year for events across the globe. He believes in the 4 Ps of Trail: Preparation, Practice, Planning, and Performance. Kimura also believes riders should chase perfection and try to catch excellence along the way.
Wellington, FL – December 17, 2012 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), the organizers of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), have announced their intention to organize three new FEI Nations Cup competitions for Children 12 to 14 years old, for Juniors 14 to 18 years old and for Young Riders 16 to 21 years old. These competitions have been made possible by the generous support of Hollow Creek Farm.
Lausanne (SUI), 17 December 2012 – Representatives from the Event Riders Association met with Giuseppe Della Chiesa, Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee, and Catrin Norinder, FEI Director Eventing & Olympic in London (GBR) on 6 December 2012 to talk through changes to the FEI Eventing Rules that will be implemented from 1 January 2013.
Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and its Eventing High Performance Department is proud to announce a redesigned Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program beginning in 2013. In 2013, a Developing Rider will be defined as a rider (maximum age of 25) who has achieved a qualifying result at the CCI2* level. Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor will lead the Developing Riders/Eventing 25 program and coach the accepted athletes. In addition to lessons under saddle, there will be a classroom component to this program. Topics will include theory, training and course design. There will also be presentations by guest speakers on subjects including veterinary care and stable management.
Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has seated two new show jumping committees. The appointment of the Show Jumping High Performance Committee and the election of the Show Jumping Eligible Athlete Committee have been finalized.
Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has seated two new para-equestrian committees. The Para-Equestrian High Performance Committee and Para-Equestrian Eligible Athlete Committee are both pending approval of the USEF Executive Committee.
Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce plans for the 2013 USEF Dressage Developing Program. The Dressage Developing Program is made possible by a generous gift from Akiko Yamazaki and Red Husky Foundation through U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. Debbie McDonald returns in 2013 as USEF Developing Coach, as the program seeks to identify talented, developing combinations with potential for future team and international success. The first step in this process will be to observe horses and riders at predetermined observation competitions. From the observation competitions, combinations will be named to take part in mandatory outings, e.g., training sessions and/or clinics with Debbie McDonald. The end of the year goal for the program is to provide funding for these developing combinations European training and competition experience.