NEWS

US Equestrian held a webinar on September 22 for the USEF Amateur Task Force to update US Equestrian members on recent progress since the initial webinar in early August. USEF Amateur Task Force representatives Lisa Blackstone and Caitlin Creel presented proposed changes to the USEF Amateur Rule based on the work of the task force this year and member feedback. The team also presented the results of the recent member survey in preparation for the proposed rules to enter the formal extraordinary rule change submissions process. Blackstone gave an overview of the members of the USEF Amateur Task Force, which consists of nine USEF members from a variety of breeds and disciplines and three USEF staff members. The task

The USEF Amateur Task Force is requesting feedback on several USEF Amateur Rule changes under consideration by the USEF Amateur Task Force. This survey can be taken by USEF members and non-members. USEF encourages all its community members to take this survey so USEF can hear the voice of amateurs within each breed and discipline. This will help them get to solutions that meet the needs of the equestrian community. This survey addresses the first phase of rule changes developed to address member feedback received by the task force and to achieve the goals of providing more access, flexibility and opportunity for amateurs and increased participation in the sport. SURVEY -- via USEF

Horse Match, an application that matches buyers with their ideal equine companions, has announced that it has a new investor, Markel. According to Summer Gentry, CEO and co-founder of Horse Match, “I’m excited that an industry leader like Markel saw our potential and chose to invest, because as a lifelong equestrian I know how important it is to find a perfect horse.” Horse Match, available on Android and iOS, solves users’ problems with buying and selling horses by helping to make the process easier, faster, and safer. Users just have to swipe left or right on their phones to match with their perfect horse. The app allows for buyers and sellers to connect directly, and also features a system

The Arabian Horse Association has announced that the deadline to nominate a horse for the Ambassador Award, the Open Competition Award, and the Distance Horse of the Year Award is Wednesday, September 1, 2021. Requirements for nomination in each program can be found here. For questions about these award programs, call the AHA Competitions Department at (303) 696-4500 Option 4. -- via AHA

The Arabian Horse Association has announced that enrollments into the Performance Futurity/Maturity/Derby Program that are submitted and postmarked after August 1, 2021, and by August 24, 2021, will be accepted. Payment in full must be submitted. The fee is $890 per class or $1,190 for Reining. All Performance Futurity/Maturity/Derby horses must be enrolled into the program and total fees paid no later than the close of entries for U.S. Nationals. Nominations submitted after the original close of U.S. National Entries will be assessed an additional $750 late fee or an additional $1,000 late fee for Reining. Nomination fee does not include show entry fees, post entry fees, drug fees, stall fees, etc.

Despite the American Horse Council’s 2016 report, which shows a 27 percent drop in the U.S. horse population in the previous ten years, David Mikosz, chairman of the Board at the National Show Horse registry, along with his wife Lorrie, and partner, Tina Derby, who have served as trainers, competitors, judges and philanthropists, have devised an affordable way to bring everyday horse lovers into the industry. This revolutionary concept will allow almost anyone, even a child with just an after-school job, to be the driving force behind a team of nationally competitive show horses. Called OurShowHorse, this new concept is structured as a sports membership club, where members are given the chance to share in, and learn ab

On Friday, August 6, the Arabian Horse Association Board of Directors met virtually and voted to pass two Competition Advisory Committee Motions which altered the status of leveling in equitation and qualifications. Please click the links below to view the full documents. Qualification Motion Passed 8/6/21 Leveling Motion Passed 8/6/21 -- via AHA

The Arabian Horse Association has announced that nominations are open for its 2021 Convention awards. The Club Excellence Award is an opportunity for a club to win $500 or more in prize money, and be recognized for its outstanding efforts throughout the year. The nomination deadline is August 17, 2021. Submit your nominations HERE. The Volunteer Service Award Program recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in order to promote the breed, club, and Association by volunteering their time, expertise, or resources. There are three different levels of the Volunteer Service Awards:

The third and final payment (or payment in full) for the Performance Futurity/Maturity/Derby Program for U.S. Nationals is August 1, 2021. In order to avoid additional late fees, the entry can be paid in full ($815 per class or $1,115 for reining) or the third payment ($200 or $300 for reining) must be postmarked/electronic transaction dated by August 1.  If you chose the payment option, the third payment must be submitted on or before August 1, and (postmarked/electronic transaction dated to the AHA office). Payments that are postmarked/electronic transaction dated after the first of each month will be assessed late fees. All Performance Futurity/Maturity/Derby horses must be enrolled into the program and

The Arabian Horse Association has announced that Canadian Nationals will be returning next year (2022) to Brandon, Manitoba. The show dates will be August 14-20. -- via AHA

The Arabian Horse Association’s 29th Annual Youth National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show has kicked off at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla., from July 15-24. In addition to the full schedule of Youth Nationals divisions, and the more $30,000 available in youth scholarships, the Mid-Summer National Championship classes also will be held during the 10-day competition. The show is one of the most prestigious competitions on the calendar for Arabian horse youth competitors across the country, offering more than 330 classes for Arabian and Half/Anglo-Arabian horses. The wide array of national championship classes includes halter, driving, sport horse disciplines, working Weste

The Arabian Horse Association will be available to provide services at the 29th Annual Youth and Mid-Summer National Arabian, Half and Anglo-Arabian Horse Show beginning on July 15-24. Members can find the AHA booth located on the Jim Norick Concourse by the Awards Room. AHA is there to help: Register or transfer a horse Purchase or renew an AHA membership – get a FREE gift (while supplies last) Enter the drawing for a free door prize Research pedigree, progeny and ownership information on DATASOURCE—get a FREE printout of the pedigree of a registered Arabian, Half-Arabian or Anglo-Arabian View/print the accomplishment record of any registered Arabi

After postponing the highly anticipated and newest North American edition in 2020, EQUITANA USA and the Kentucky Horse Park have announced ticket sales for 2021 are now open. The EQUITANA USA show will be held Friday, October 1–Sunday, October 3, 2021, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. The event welcomes all riding levels, disciplines and breeds, as well as enthusiasts of all ages. The event will showcase a variety of popular equestrian personalities, professional performers, authors, veterinarians and other top professionals sharing their expertise on a wide range of disciplines and topics, with more than 150 sessions. Some slated to provide sessions include Laura Graves (dressage clinic), Ronny Riemer (jumpers cl

The 2021 Region 8 Championship Show will be held August 18–22, 2021, in Denver, Colorado, at the National Western Stock Show Complex.  The show's judges will be Deb Witty (WW), Paul Kostial and Brian Murch. The Renaissance Denver Stapleton is the host hotel. The last day to book a special group rate is July 21, 2021. For more information, visit www.aharegion8.org/. -- via Arabian Horse Association

** Following is a letter released by USEF to its members ** Dear US Equestrian members, Thank you for your patience as competition organizers across the country are transitioning to new COVID-19 protocols resulting from recent updates to CDC guidelines and federal, state, and local regulations. Close on the heels of the CDC amendments last Thursday, several states and local jurisdictions have announced upcoming changes which will be enacted over the next few weeks. USEF also issued a communication on Friday, May 14, to quickly adjust face-covering/mask requirements for fully vaccinated indivi

US Equestrian has announced that the application period for the 2021 National Youth Sportsman’s Award is now open. The award serves to identify future leaders across US Equestrian’s 29 recognized breeds and disciplines and to celebrate outstanding youth for their achievements. Applications will be accepted through August 15, 2021. Active members age 17 years and younger, as of December 1, 2020, and in good standing with US Equestrian and their recognized affiliate associations are eligible to apply. The overall winner will receive a commemorative trophy, a $1,000 grant payable to the educational prog

Due to the postponement of the 2021 Canadian National Championship Show, the Canadian Halter Futurity Classes will be held at the 2021 U.S. National Championship Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Canadian Halter Futurity Classes include: Arabian Futurity Filly (Class 9977) Arabian Futurity Colt (Class 9978) Arabian Futurity Gelding (Class 9979) HA/AA Futurity Filly (Class 9980) HA/AA Futurity Gelding (Class 9981) These classes will be held separate from the U.S. National Halter Futurity Classes and will be adjudicated by a separate panel of judges. Contact AHA at 303-696-4500, option #4, for additional information regarding the Canadian and/or U.S. National Halter Futurity Program. -- via Arabian Horse Association

Due to the postponement of the 2021 Canadian National Championship Show, the Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes designated classes will be held at the 2021 Youth and Mid Summer Nationals. Following is a list of the Canadian National Sweepstakes designated classes that will be held: Arabian Yearling Colt/Gelding (Class 972) Arabian Filly (Class 971) Arabian Colt 2 Yrs Old (Class 874) Arabian Gelding 2 Yrs Old (Class 975) Arabian Filly 2 Yrs Old (Class 976) Arabian English Pl Jr Horse (Class 91) Arabian Country English Pl Jr Horse (Class 112) Arabian Hunter Pl Jr Horse (Class 306) Arabian Western Pl Jr Horse (Class 205) HA/AA Yearling

US Equestrian members will soon have access to improved horse and rider reports that are customized to their breed and discipline. By popular request from the membership, the updated reports provide more detailed at-a-glance information, along with enhanced sport-specific competition results to give horse owners and athletes an uncluttered view of the most relevant information for their discipline. These reports display a horse's or athlete’s results history from USEF-sanctioned competitions and are available to all fan and competing members through a searchable database accessed on usef.org The updated horse reports include a more comprehensive header and footer, with added information including the foal date,

The Board of Directors of the Virginia Horse Center Foundation has announced that Glenn T. Petty has been appointed as the new CEO of the Foundation. An experienced business leader and horseman, Petty will succeed John Nicholson and assume responsibilities on May 3, 2021. Nicholson will be retiring to his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. Petty spent 16 years as manager of the Governor James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex and 25 years as show manager of the 19-day State Fair Horse Show at the N

** Following is a news update released by the Arabian Horse Association. ** The Canadian National Show Commission has decided to suspend the 2021 Canadian National Championship Arabian and Half/Anglo Arabian Horse Show, which was scheduled for August 2021. This is a decision that was not made lightly and it is with a great deal of sadness that we make this announcement. However, the decision was made with tremendous consideration and discussion regarding the status of the Canadian border, current quarantine and provincial travel restrictions, and the health and safety of exhibitors and staff. It is our sincere desire to announce this change early enough for our exhibitors, vendors, sponsors, and patrons to make the necess

US Equestrian has announced that it has expanded the eligibility requirements for the Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship, which provides five $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors committed to continuing their involvement in equestrian sport while in college. US Equestrian is now accepting applications for the scholarship. Applicants must be active US Equestrian competing or fan members preparing to enter any college or university full-time in fall 2021. The scholarship is open to all 29 recognized breeds and disciplines. Previously, applicants were required to be enrolled in an equine-re

** Following is a letter released by the Arabian Horse Association to its members. ** Dear Members, The Arabian Horse Association is committed to our member services including our website and DataSource.  We have endured a ransomware attack and our business technology staff have been extremely determined in our resolution of this disruption. The Purebred Arabian Trust has been notified of this ransomware attack. AHA continues to experience computer system issues due to the ransomware attack discovered early last Saturday morning.  In the spirit of an overabundance of caution, we are taking each step carefully to verify that no PII (Personally Identifiable Information) data has been comp

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced the members of its newly populated Amateur Task Force for 2021. These respected members of the equestrian community, most of whom are amateurs themselves, bring diverse equestrian experience across multiple breeds and disciplines within the sport. The task force includes Judy Werner (Chair), Penelope Ayers, Lisa Blackstone, José Colón, Caitlin Creel, C.A. Tony Lee III, and Christy Parker. USEF Chief Marketing and Content Officer Vicki Lowell and Director of Regulations Emily Pratt will serve as advisors to the task force. The purpose of the USEF Amateur Task Force is to review the existing rules defining USEF amateur status for participants

Known as the largest horse show in the world, the 66th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is set to begin on Thursday, February 11, and runs through Sunday, February 21. The USEF Network will livestream two sessions from the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show on Friday, February 12, and Saturday, February 13, thanks to US Equestrian’s media partnership with Horse & Country TV. This 11-day competition is set to showcase the beauty and versatility of the Arabian horse. Hosted by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona (AHAA), the show traditionally welcomes more than 2,000 ho

After six years of recovery, growth and progress for the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, its chief executive officer, John Nicholson, has announced that he plans to retire, giving the Board of Directors an opportunity to develop a leadership transition plan. As a result of the pandemic, the planned transition was delayed by one year and is being announced today. “I am honored to have served as The Virginia Horse Center’s chief executive officer," said John Nicholson. "And I will continue to work in this role until the future leader is in place. I would like to thank the team of incredibly hardworking employees of the VHCF. It has been a privilege to work with a truly remarkable group of peop

The United States Equestrian Federation has announced the members of its newly repopulated Competition Task Force for 2021. These respected members of the equestrian community come to the task force with a diverse set of business skills and equestrian experience across multiple breeds and disciplines within the sport. The task force includes a mix of equestrian experts, including Tom O’Mara (Chairman), Rob Burk, Elisabeth Goth, John Madden, Britt McCormick, Stan Morey, Bill Moroney, and Sissy Wickes. In recognition of the importance of athlete representation, the USEF Athletes Advisory Committee will appoint athletes to the task force to complete the population. Howard Pike and USEF General Counse

The Arabian Horse Association has released some updates for members heading into the upcoming competition season. 2021 QUALIFICATIONS Qualifications have been waived for the 2021 Regional and National Championship Shows. Qualifications for 2022 and beyond will move to a “Participation” based system and the chart will finalized at the August 2021 Board of Directors meeting. LEVELING The new view for Leveling is now available under your login. Click on the AHA Horse/Rider Points and Competition Records link under the “I want to…” section. Proceed to “Rider Search” and select “Leveling Points” to view your current record for the 2021 c

The Arabian Horse Association reminds its members that if they submit stallion reports by January 31, submission is free. After January 31, the cost will be $50 per stallion.  Stallion reports are required for all U.S. registered purebred Arabian stallions bred to all U.S. registered purebred Arabian mares. Click here to download the report then mail, email or fax it to 303-696-4599. Please contact a Registry Service Representative at 303-696-4500, #2, for assistance with any questions. -- via AHA

The United Professional Horsemen's Association Ribbons of Service program is an example of how young people can use their passion for horses to help the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and learn to give back to their communities. To date, UPHA youth members have raised more than $550,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and almost $150,000 to other nonprofit charities.  COVID-19 restricted Ribbons of Services participants' traditional fundraising and community service efforts. However, they rose to the occasion and created new ways to raise funds and perform their community service hours. 2020 proved just as successful as participants volunteered 1,988.5 hours in community serv

US Equestrian has congratulated the top endurance athletes from the 2020 competition season. Cheryl Van Deusen (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) has won the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award, which is presented annually to the top U.S. senior endurance rider. Katie Bumgarner (Raleigh, N.C.) will receive the Brunjes Junior/Young Rider Trophy as the top U.S. junior or young rider in the sport. Van Deusen had a successful season with her own EBS Regal Majjaan, a 15-year-old Arabian gelding. Together they completed CEI3* rides at Greenway Gallivant in Florida and Broxton Bridge in South Carolina early in the 2020 competition season. With her 16-year-old Arabian gelding, Hoover the Mover, Van Deusen earned second-place finishes in th

The Arabian Horse Association has announced a new show to spotlight, promote and help introduce the roll-out of the entire Ranch Horse Division to the Arabian Breed. There have been questions and misinterpretations of what the Arabian Horse Association’s Ranch Horse Championships show will be, the classes held and the impact on other shows.   First, the AHA Ranch Horse Championships is not a National Championship Show. It is intended to highlight the Ranch Horse Division at a show produced and managed by Arabian Horse Association. The hope is that it will hold a level of prestige above a local show, somewhat equivalent to that of a Regional Championship Show. Second, there will be no change