Germantown Charity Horse Show Receives USEF Heritage Competition Status

Lexington, Ky. – The Germantown Charity Horse Show, benefiting the Exchange Club Family Center, has been honored with the United States Equestrian Federation’s designation as a USEF Heritage Competition. The Heritage Competition title is the highest honor currently held by any Federation horse show.

The designation of a USEF Heritage Competition is reserved for those competitions that have been in existence for a quarter century or more, promoted and grown equestrian sport, and made a contribution to the community outside the gates of the horse show by achieving, maintaining, and promoting the equestrian ideals of sportsmanship and competition.

The Germantown Charity Horse Show was founded in 1947 at a privately-owned show ring and barn, when a small group of friends, who had recently returned from active duty in World War II, decided that local interest in horses should be channeled into community-wide participation. Today, it is an all-breed show that brings thousands of spectators to Germantown, Tenn., each year for a five-day event that provides a family atmosphere, while showcasing the art and education of horsemanship.

The 2014 show marks the 16th year the Germantown Charity Horse Show has helped raise funds for the Exchange Club Family Center. Founded in 1984 to help prevent child abuse, the Center’s mission is to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect by replacing abusive and violent behavior with effective parenting skills.

“The Germantown Charity Horse Show is deeply embedded in our country’s horse show world,” said USEF Chief Executive Officer Chris Welton. “With the show’s dedication to the Exchange Club Family Center, it is a great example of a show that deserves the honor of being named a Heritage Competition.”

The specific requirements of a Heritage Competition can be found in the USEF Rule Book, GR301.6 or at http://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2013/GeneralRules/03-CompetitionLicensing.pdf.

Interested competitions may apply for Heritage Competition designation by completing the form available at https://www.usef.org/documents/competitions/2014/HeritageApplication.pdf.