Lexington, KY – Accomplished High Performance Dressage competitor Jeremy Steinberg of Kirkland, WA has been appointed as the inaugural USEF National Dressage Youth Coach. The 1996 NAJYRC Gold Medalist, Steinberg’s career developed from the Young Rider ranks into successfully training and competing horses at all levels from Young Horse to Grand Prix, including international competitions and the U.S. League Finals for the FEI World Cup.

The USEF Youth Dressage Programs are currently under construction, and will become a critical link in the pipeline for development of future riders.

“The National Youth Coach needs to help develop the next generation of riders, trainers, teachers, and knowledgeable supporters to insure that dressage sport flourishes,” says Steinberg. “My vision for the USEF National Youth Coach role is to be part of a system which can produce riders and horses from the very basic level all the way up to international superstar riders and trainers, producing along the way those teachers who can bring success for generations to come. I see that in our future, believe in that goal, and I look forward to working with USEF to make that a reality.”

Through an open application process conducted in the spring and summer, Steinberg was selected from a pool of highly qualified international candidates. As the newest and youngest member of the USEF dressage coaching staff, Steinberg will work extensively with Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons and the USEF Dressage Committee to design a program to benefit youth at all levels of the sport.

Jayne Ayers, chairwoman of the USEF Dressage Committee, said, “I am confident that Jeremy will bring the energy and enthusiasm we need to build programs which promote the best education and opportunities for our youth.”

“I am delighted to have a Youth Coach in place,” said USEF Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons. “And I look forward to the development of these programs and to working with Jeremy.”

Steinberg is a popular clinician, conducting clinics almost every weekend at sites around the country, in addition to working extensively with Juniors and Young Riders on the West Coast. During this year’s NAJYRC in Lexington, KY, Steinberg was awarded the inaugural “Albers Award”, presented to the dressage Chef d’Equipe who best demonstrates an extraordinary level of dedication, enthusiasm and team spirit.

“The youth riders are our future, whether it’s as international level competitors or local horse trainers,” said Steinberg. “Proponents of the sport know that we need a steady stream of new and upcoming riders and trainers who are well educated in all things to do with the horse, not just riding dressage tests. It is our responsibility to find a way to create an environment and system where younger riders and professionals in the United States are groomed for the future and given the tools to better themselves and exceed our expectations.”

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Lexington, KY – Join the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) for a beta broadcast experience – four days of free LIVE streaming video from the 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, in Gladstone, NJ.

This LIVE broadcast coverage will span two consecutive weekends, August 7-8 and 14-15, and will be available exclusively on USEFLIVE.com, a new video platform designed to showcase some of the very best live action equestrian sport in America.

Watch LIVE as 15 horse-and-rider combinations battle it out during USEF Selection Trials for a coveted slot on the U.S. Dressage Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, and watch LIVE as national champions emerge in five divisions including the USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship; USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship; USEF National Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage Championship; USEF National Young Rider Dressage Championship; and USEF National Junior Dressage Championship.

To view the broadcast schedule, competition program, photos and more, visit USEFLIVE.com now.
The 2010 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions has been a mainstay in dressage competition since 1991, playing a vital role in the selection of athletes who represent the United States in international competition, including the World Equestrian Games, Olympic Games and Pan American Games. This year’s competition runs for six days, from August 6-8 and 13-15. Together with the support of Collecting Gaits Farm, owned by Jeff and Shereen Fuqua, the Festival of Champions has helped produce some of the country’s best dressage athletes.

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The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF) announced today that Steffen Peters has requested to not attend the USEF Selection Trial for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Dressage Team held at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions for logistical reasons. The USEF Selectors met on July 27 to approve his request to be considered for the Short List/Nominated Entry and Fourth position on the team without attending the USEF Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Dressage Team held at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions in accordance with USEF World Equestrian Games Dressage Criteria. If named to the Short List/Nominated Entry Steffen plans to attend the mandatory training session which begins on September 4. The Short List/Nominated Entry will be announced following the Selection Trial which ends August 15. The Definite Entries/Team will be announced on or about August 21, 2010.

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By Lindsey White

The riders4helmets campaign, operated by helmet advocate Jeri Bryant and supported by SUCCEED®, has organized a National Helmet Awareness Day endorsed by the United States Equestrian Federation, to be held on July 10, 2010. riders4helmets has teamed up with leading helmet manufacturers to offer discounts on helmets to equestrians via participating retailers nationwide on this day. Helmet brands that are to be included in the promotion to date include: Troxel, Charles Owen, GPA and Aegis (Devon-Aire). Visit www.riders4helmets.com to locate a dealer near you.

An official event to celebrate National Helmet Awareness Day will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, which will be a fun-filled educational event, featuring experts in safety and leading equestrians. More details will be announced shortly.

John Hall, President of Freedom Health, LLC, manufacturers of SUCCEED®, said “The National Helmet Awareness Day is an educational event that we hope will become an annual event on the calendar. The riders4helmets campaign goal is to provide information to equestrians on the benefits of wearing a helmet, in order that they can then make an informed choice for their own safety. We’re proud to support this.”

Kemi O’Donnell, who lost her 12-year old daughter, Christen, as a result of head injuries sustained from a riding accident in 1998, welcomed the National Helmet Awareness Day and riders4helmets campaign. ”I am grateful to riders4helmets for launching this campaign to highlight the importance of always wearing a ASTM/SEI certified helmet while in the saddle.”

Roy Burek, CEO, of Charles Owen, who is participating in the event by offering promotions on helmets through their participating retailers on July 10, stated, “Everyone knows that wearing a helmet for every ride makes the most sense. Charles Owen would like to ensure that on this first National Helmet Awareness Day, price is no longer a barrier to wearing the safest.”

GPA Helmets is another helmet manufacturer that is participating in National Helmet Awareness Day. “GPA is thrilled to be a part of the riders4helmets National HelmetAwareness Day,” said Stuart Bassin, Vice-President, Frantisi Incorporated. “We are very concerned with rider safety, which is a large part of why we are in the helmet business. We are also happy to be participating along with many of our dealers in being able to extend never-before-offered discounts to riders on this special day.”

“National Helmet Awareness Day is an important event that Troxel is proud to support,” said Shay Timms, CEO of Troxel. “Since Troxel developed the first ASTM/SEI certified helmet in 1992, our engineers and R&D team with over 75 years of combined helmet experience have reviewed thousands of accident helmets. The reality is helmets are strikingly effective, reducing head injuries by up to 80%. Equestrian athletes are moving to overcome a natural and understandable resistance to protective helmets, and National Helmet AwarenessDay is a significant step forward in helmet acceptance.”

Andres Lendoiro, Vice President of Devon-Aire added, “Devon-Aire is pleased to support and participate in both the National Helmet Awareness Day and the riders4helmets campaign by offering promotions through participating Devon-Aire retailers on the Aegis helmet on July 10. The safety of our customers is Devon-Aire’s primary concern.”

Individuals or organizations wishing to hold their own event to recognize National Helmet Awareness Day may email lwhite@freedomhealthllc.com for helmet awareness graphics and other support materials. “You don’t physically have to attend the event at the Kentucky Horse Park to participate in Helmet Awareness Day,” said Jeri Bryant, co-founder of the riders4helmets campaign. “You can participate just by wearing a helmet on July 10, no matter whether you are trail riding, showing or competing.”

The www.riders4helmets.com campaign has already received the official endorsement of USEF, USEA, USDF, ARIA, EAF, CHA, PRO, EMSA and many leading equestrians such as Robert Dover, Lendon Gray, Ilse Schwarz, Allison Springer and more. The website homepage is a blog that will be updated frequently with news regarding the campaign.

SUCCEED® Digestive Conditioning Program is an official product sponsor of USEF, USDF and USEA. It is produced and distributed exclusively by Freedom Health, LLC, of Aurora, OH. The company is focused on finding, perfecting and delivering superior, innovative products that address real and significant health-related issues for animals and the people who care for them. Visit www.succeed-equine.com for further information.

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A strong commitment to the welfare of the horse has motivated changes to the medication policies affecting USEF licensed competitions as well as FEI classes, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Effective April 5, 2010, with the support of the USEF and other National Federations, the FEI has instituted a new Clean Sport Initiative, which pertains to all horses competing at FEI-sanctioned competitions. Please visit www.feicleansport.org for all the new information and details.

The USEF recently made important changes regarding the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in competition horses that became effective April 1, 2010. More information regarding these changes can be found on the USEF’s Drugs and Medication page: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/Drugs/Default.aspx.

Please be advised, updates to these new policies and rules will be posted throughout the 2010 season, so please stay informed by monitoring these websites regularly.

Thank you and Good Luck in 2010.

The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation ® is to provide leadership
for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the pursuit
of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes

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Oregon Dressage Society would like to congratulate Jessica Ransehousen!  She has been honored with the 2009 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more and watch a brief synopsis video of the achievements of dressage great Jessica Ransehousen at http://bit.ly/6M96jG .

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Lexington, KY—For more than five decades, the name of Jessica Newberry Ransehousen has been synonymous with the United States dressage program.  And, after a lifetime spent as a high performance international medalist, lead dressage coach for the U.S. program, highly-skilled dressage judge and widely-respected ambassador for the sport of dressage, the United States Equestrian Federation is proud to announce that living legend Jessica Ransehousen has been selected to receive the USEF’s highest individual honor – the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy.

From her start as a dressage rider, Ransehousen has known the taste of success. In 1956 and 1957, she earned the title of the United States Equestrian Team’s National Dressage Champion. But, this was only the beginning for this multi-talented equestrian.

To close out the 1950s, Ransehousen made her Pan American Games debut and assisted the U.S. team to a Silver medal in Chicago. The very next year, she made her Olympic Games debut in Rome, Italy, as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team. Four years later, she returned to Olympic competition in Tokyo, Japan.

Between decades of high performance competition, Ransehousen spent time sharing her incredible gifts as an instructor and trainer. Those who name themselves among her many students include her own daughter, Missy, who has become a successful event rider and trainer at Blue Hill Farm, the longtime family operation in Unionville, PA. Among others who have benefitted from Ransehousen’s expertise and experience are current Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage Champion and Olympian Steffen Peters, 1976 Montreal Olympic Team Bronze medalist Dorothy Morkis, and former Young Rider Gold medalist and FEI-level trainer and rider Todd Flettrich. She also instructed event riders, including such U.S. standouts as Phillip Dutton and Darren Chiacchia.

However, the desire to compete and passion for competition was still present in Ransehousen, and in 1988, she was selected as a member of the 1988 Seoul Olympic team, an impressive 24 years after her second Olympic appearance. At her third and final Olympic appearance, she road Orpheus and secured herself a place in the Olympic record books and stands among a select group of women with the longest Olympic competitive careers – 28 years.

With success on the international stage and a reputation as one of the country’s most respected trainers, Ransehousen began tenure with the United States Equestrian Team as chef d’equipe for the U.S. dressage program. This collaboration would see ever-strengthening showings by the U.S. program at appearances in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, the 1990 and 1994 FEI World Equestrian Games, and at the 1991 and 1995 Pan American Games. Her teams were awarded the Bronze medal at both the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Ransehousen’s commitment to her sport was strongly felt on the field of play, as well as in the board room.  In addition to her many years of work as an FEI “I” and USEF “S” judge, she was a member of the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee, USET Vice-President for Dressage, and former Assistant Secretary of the former American Horse Shows Association (now USEF). And, in 2001, she was inducted into the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Hall of Fame.

The USEF Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy are given to the horseman or horsewoman whose “life experience and accomplishments exemplify uncommon devotion to the sport of competition with horses and whose equestrian career and horsemanship have continually elevated the sport’s excellence.”  It is without a doubt that Jessica Ransehousen more than qualifies for this once-in-a-lifetime honor.
The USEF Lifetime Achievement Award will be formally presented to Ransehousen during the USEF’s 2010 Annual Meeting at the Louisville Downtown Marriott, January 16, at the Pegasus Awards dinner where she will be honored by fellow U.S. chef d’equipe and living legend, George Morris, as well as former team member and six-time Olympic dressage rider, Robert Dover.

ENDS

(Attached photo:  Jessica Ransehousen and Forstrat in competition in 1960 in Aachen, Germany.  Photo credit: Courtesy Jessica Ransehousen)

1. When do the new rules take effect for dressage “opportunity” classes?
   December 1, 2009, which is the official start of the 2010 USEF competition year. This date coincides with the effective date of the new “Levels” required for Dressage Competitions.
2. What types of competitions may offer these classes?
   Licensed Dressage Competitions and Regular/Local Competitions which are licensed to include an Open Dressage Division (open to all breeds) may offer a limited number of dressage “opportunity” classes, as described in Rule GR821. (See #4 below for the list of classes and tests that may be offered.)
3. So may a breed-restricted competition offer these classes?
   No, unless the competition is licensed to hold an open dressage division which is open to all breeds. This is because breed-restricted competitions are not required to meet any of the new dressage competition levels standards.
4. How do I know what type and how many dressage “opportunity” classes I can offer at my competition?
   The type and number of classes which may be offered is dependent upon the “level” of your competition. Only Level 1, 2, or 3 competitions may offer these classes (please refer to the published Dressage Levels chart on the USEF website and GR821).
   • A Level 1 Competition may offer two (2) tests, per level, per day, at Second Level and below. For instance, in a single day, a show could offer Training Level Test 1, Training Level Test 2, First Level Test 1, First Level Test 2, Second Level Test 1, and Second Level Test 2 as “opportunity” classes.
   • A Level 2 Competition may offer two (2) tests, per level, per day, at FIRST Level and below. For instance, in a single day, this show could offer Training Level Test 1, Training Level Test 2, First Level Test 1, and First Level Test 2 as “opportunity” classes.
   • A Level 3 Competition may offer two (2) tests per day at Training Level ONLY. For instance, in a single day, this show could offer Training Level Test 1 and Training Level Test 2 as “opportunity” classes.
   • A Level 4 or Level 5 Competition may not offer “opportunity” classes..

1. How do I list these classes in my prize list?
   Per Rule GR821.8, the list of “opportunity” classes offered must include “Opportunity” in the class name.
2. Can I offer Eventing Dressage Tests or other types of tests as “opportunity” classes?
   No, as indicated above and in the Dressage Levels Chart, only specific USEF Second Level, First Level, and Training Level Tests may be offered as “opportunity” classes.
3. Can I have an Opportunity Test of Choice class?
   No. Please see #5 & #6 above. Only specific tests may be offered.
4. What about Freestyles?
   Per Rule GR821.2e(3), Freestyles may not be offered as “opportunity” classes.
5. Can I offer one of these “opportunity” classes as restricted to Adult Amateurs?
   Yes, but per Rule GR821.5, if an “opportunity” class is restricted to Amateurs, then the rider must have an amateur status on file with USEF or pay the $30 non-member amateur card fee.
6. Who can judge these classes?
   USEF Rule GR821 states that any judge officiating at the competition may judge the “opportunity” classes. Since these classes may only be offered at Licensed Dressage Competitions and Regular/Local Competitions with Open Dressage Divisions, the judges would be USEF-Licensed “r”, “R”, “S” or FEI Dressage Judges.
7. What rules apply for these classes?
   Since these classes may only be offered at Licensed Dressage Competitions and Regular/Local Competitions with Open Dressage Divisions, all USEF Dressage Division (DR) rules apply, including dress and saddlery requirements, in addition to all applicable General Rules, such as Drugs & Medications (see #14, below).
8. What memberships are required for these classes?
   Per Rule GR821.2e(5), horses and riders competing in “opportunity” classes are exempt from USEF and USDF membership requirements, and do not have to pay non-member or HID fees. (In addition, USEF is working on a rule clarification to also specify that owners, trainers, and coaches are exempt from membership requirements.)
9. Can a horse and rider cross-enter into other dressage classes?
   Yes. Your prize list must state if “opportunity” riders/horses will be allowed to cross-enter into other recognized classes at your show. Please note, however, if a horse or rider enters other non-opportunity classes at your competition in which membership by participants is required, all USEF and USDF membership requirements apply for horse, rider, owner, trainer, etc. (See GR901.9 for more information.)
10. What about the USEF Drugs & Medications fee?
    Per Rule GR821.3 & .4, horses entered only in “opportunity” classes are exempt from the Federation fee, including the Drugs & Medications fee. However, horses entered in these classes are still subject to and must comply with all D&M rules and are subject to testing at your competition.
11. Do I submit results for these classes to USEF?
    As per Rule GR821.1, competitions must submit full results of all “opportunity” classes as required in Rule GR1214:
    • “Opportunity” must be listed in the class name in the results.
    • Full results are required – names of horses, riders, owners, and trainers are to be listed including addresses, placings and scores, eliminations, etc.
    • If they have them, horses and members with USEF numbers should be listed in the results. If membership or HID information is missing, please leave the USEF number field blank.
    • Section codes for submission of e-Results are as follows: Open Opportunity – 5702; Amateur Opportunity – 5703.

1. What about the USEF Post-Competition Report?
   Since “opportunity” classes are exempt from membership, non-member fees, Drugs & Med Fee and the Federation Fee, these classes are not reported on the Post Competition Report.
2. Can “opportunity” class results count towards USEF or USDF awards?
   No. Scores earned in dressage “opportunity” classes may not be used towards USEF or USDF awards or programs.

Still have questions? Please send your inquiry via e-mail to Jennifer Keeler,
USEF National Director of Dressage, at jkeeler@usef.org.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) acknowledges that many high school equestrian athletes are not currently recognized by their school athletic programs unless their equestrian team is directly associated with the high school at the varsity level. In many cases, organized programs at the high school level do not exist and many young equestrians do not have a team or club in their area. Yet, the equestrian athlete dedicates as much, if not more, time preparing for competition as does any other athlete in a high school program. Additionally, the time commitment required of equestrian athletes often precludes them from participating in other high school varsity sports programs. As the National Governing Body for Equestrian Sport, USEF has created a program to recognize young equestrians’ accomplishments and to support their future involvement in the sport.

In addition to providing recognition consistent with other high school varsity programs, the USEF honors these equestrian athletes not only for honing their individual skills while training and competing, but perhaps more
importantly, for fostering the unique and often challenging human-to-animal connection required to create and sustain the teamwork and mutual respect required of a successful equestrian athlete/equine combination;
thereby recognizing and rewarding their efforts in the unique and unparalleled team sport of Equestrian.

Click here to view the entire press release and to download the appropriate applications.

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The United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. (USEF) is pleased to announce the launch of the USEF Dressage Youth/Pony Pilot Program for Fall 2009.This program is designed to seek out, educate and assist the development of the young riders, and will be under the direction of Lendon Gray, appointed by the USEF Dressage High Performance Committee.

“I am thrilled that USEF is going to help to develop the best equitation and riding skills in our younger riders,” Gray said. “It is so much easier to develop correct riding from the early ages than to try to change bad habits later.”

The Pilot Program will consist of clinics held throughout the United States, which will be conducted by Gray, and high-performance athletes such as Michael Barisone, Pam Goodrich, Arlene “Tuny” Page and David Wightman. “The clinics will include emphasis on position and seat, technical skills, and riding and stable management theory,” continued Gray.

The clinics will be available to youth 20 years old and under with a special emphasis on riders ages 10 to 17. In order to meet the minimum requirements to participate, riders ages 10-15 on a horse or pony should have obtained a 62% or high from two different judges at First Level and above. Riders ages 16-17 should have obtained 62% or higher from two different judges at Third Level and above. If space permits, clinics will be open to riders 18-20 who have obtained 62% or higher from two different judges at Fourth Level and above. Youth riders who do not qualify, as well as instructors, are encouraged to audit these clinics (organizers may charge an auditing fee). There will be up to ten (10) riders at each clinic.

The following are clinic dates and locations for the USEF Youth/Pony Pilot Program:

Instructor Location Dates
Lendon Gray Carson City, MI November 14-15, 2009
Pamela Goodrich Boscawen, NH November 21-22, 2009
Lendon Gray Newtown, PA November 21-22, 2009
Arlene “Tuny” Page Wellington, FL November 21-22, 2009
Michael Barisone Long Valley, NJ December 5-6, 2009
Lendon Gray Marion, TX December 19-20, 2009
David Wightman Murrieta, CA December 19-20, 2009
Lendon Gray Kansas City, MO January 9-10, 2010

Any rider interested in the clinic must apply through the USEF Dressage Department. The application is available on the USEF website Dressage Page (www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/allDressage.aspx)
Applications for November clinics close October 28, 2009 and applications for December clinics close November 11, 2009.

For further information, please contact: Jenny Van Wieren, USEF Assistant Director of Dressage, at jvanwieren@usef.org or (859)225-6949.