December 30, 2014
USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce dates and locations for the 2015 USEF Dressage National Championships. In 2015, the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. will be split between two competitions: the Pony Rider, Junior, Young Rider, and Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Championships will run in conjunction with the Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships at the Lamplight Equestrian Center, August 19-23, while the Grand Prix and Intermediaire I Championships will be held at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival grounds on December 9-13.

USEF Dressage National Championships at the Lamplight Equestrian Center

The following championships and divisions will run at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Ill., August 19-23:

U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp.

-USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship
-AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship
-AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship
-USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today

Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships
-Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage National Championships (Four-, Five- and Six-Year-Old divisions)
-Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage National Championship
-Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals
-USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals – 13 & Under
-USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals – 14-18

For qualifying information and selection procedures for 2015 USEF Dressage National Championships being held at Lamplight Equestrian Center, visit:

U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival

The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. will continue on December 9-13 at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival grounds in Wellington, Fla., with the following Championships:

-The Dutta Corp./USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship
-The Dutta Corp./USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

For qualifying information and selection procedures for the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, visit:

Equine Affaire, the premier equine exposition and equestrian gathering in North America, will return to the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 9th through the 12th. The 2015 event will offer a comprehensive schedule of clinics, seminars, and demonstrations by nationally and internationally recognized trainers, competitors, and coaches including Guy McLean, Chris Cox, John Lyons, Julie Goodnight, Dan James, Scott McFarland (Reining), George Williams (Dressage), Barbra Schulte (Cutting), Jane Savoie (Dressage), Bob Giles (Driving), Tom Chown (Western Pleasure/Horsemanship/Showmanship), Doug Leasor (Barrel Racing & Pole Bending), Gayle Lampe (English Pleasure), Kevin Oliver (Ranch Horse Versatility), Drew Emnett (Hunter Under Saddle), and Gary Lane (Easy Gaited Horses). Clinicians are also being confirmed for jumping and other disciplines.

In addition to an unparalleled educational program, the 2015 Equine Affaire will feature the largest horse-related trade show in North America with more than 450 retailers and manufacturers filling four buildings at the Ohio Expo Center. Other highlights of the event will include the Rod’s Equestrian Experience Pavilion (showcasing numerous equestrian disciplines and breeds of horses); Equine Affaire’s signature musical
celebration of the horse–the Fantasia sponsored by Absorbine®–on Thursday-Saturday nights; an extensive Breed Pavilion and Horse & Farm Exhibits area; a fun and informative Youth Pavilion; the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition on Thursday and Friday; and the Marketplace at Equine Affaire—a consignment store in the Bricker Annex featuring quality tack, apparel, and equine equipment for horse & rider.

Equine Affaire will take place Thursday through Saturday from 9:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. General admission for adults will be $15/day or $50/four-day pass; children 7–10 will be $8/day; children six and under will be admitted free. General admission includes entry to the trade show and theme pavilions, the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, and all clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. A separate ticket is required for the Fantasia. The Ohio Expo Center will charge for parking.

Discount room rates are available at dozens of Equine Affaire host hotels near the facility, and camping will be available at the Ohio Expo Center. For continuously-updated information, consult HERE , or call (740) 845-0085 weekdays, 9:00am–5:00pm ET. Advance tickets for Equine Affaire and the Fantasia are on sale now.

London, OH, December 29, 2014— Elevate your equestrian experience this spring at Equine Affaire—North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering. The 2015 Equine Affaire will take place at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus on April 9th through the 12th and offer horse owners not only the opportunity to attend more than 200 different clinics, seminars, and demonstrations, but also to participate in more than 50 clinic sessions on a wide range of equestrian disciplines. Through Equine Affaire’s unique “Ride With The Best” program selected participants can ride, drive, and have their horses trained in clinics conducted by many of the nation’s foremost coaches, competitors, judges, and horse trainers—for clinic fees designed to fit almost any budget.

The Clinics and Clinicians. Whether your equestrian tastes lean toward the western disciplines or are solidly in the English realm—or you simply want to improve your riding skills or your horse’s performance, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to receive individual instruction from the outstanding clinicians who will be featured at Equine Affaire this April. Among the presenters who will be participating in the “Ride With The Best” program are general horse and horsemanship trainers Chris Cox, Guy McLean, John Lyons, Dan James, and Julie Goodnight. Clinicians offering sessions in the western disciplines will include Scott McFarland (reining), Doug Leasor (barrel racing and pole bending), Kevin Oliver (ranch horse versatility), Barbra Schulte (cutting), and Tom Chown (western pleasure/horsemanship/showmanship). Those conducting clinics on English disciplines will include George Williams and Jane Savoie (dressage), Drew Emnett (hunter under saddle), Gayle Lampe (English pleasure/saddleseat), and clinicians still being confirmed as of press time for jumping. Gary Lane will also be on hand to present sessions on training and riding easy gaited horses.

If you have one or more horses that are halter broke and ready to be started under saddle, you may want to consider applying to have your horse trained in Equine Affaire’s “Foundation First” clinic series. Guy McLean and Dan James will each train one unbroke horse to be ridden, and attendees and horse owners will watch the progress these phenomenal trainers will make with their young horses through clinics
conducted over the four days of Equine Affaire. The “Foundation First” clinics will not be a race or competition. The focus will be on creating the proper foundation when training a horse to be ridden and on progressing at the rate that is appropriate for the individual horse. During sessions on Sunday, both clinicians will present their horses and discuss the specific challenges associated with the training of their horses and the techniques they used in training them. The “Foundation First” clinics will offer unique opportunities for owners of halter-broke horses to have their horses started under saddle by these two exceptional trainers.

Clinic fees and how to apply. The modest clinic fees for Equine Affaire’s “Ride With The Best” program range from $70 for a single clinic to $350 for the multi-session “Foundation First” clinics and include clinic participation, stabling, and admission to Equine Affaire. Clinicians will select the participants for their sessions from written applications and videos submitted by applicants to Equine Affaire. While some are seeking riders and horses with specific skills or problems to demonstrate and resolve during their clinics, others are seeking any riders interested in improving their general horsemanship and relationships with their horses. The 2015 Equine Affaire will offer a wide range of learning opportunities—and you and your horse may be the ideal participants for one or more sessions.

Full clinic details and a “Ride With The Best” application are available at equineaffaire.com. Click on the Ohio event and follow the “Participate” link to information on the “Ride With The Best” program. Interested riders and horse owners may also request an information packet and clinic application by contacting Kristen Gump at kgump@equineaffaire.com or by calling (740) 845-0085 ext. 104. Consult equineaffaire for continuously-updated information on additional clinicians and sessions in the “Ride With The Best” program.

Application deadline is February 16th. Don’t miss the unique and affordable clinic opportunities offered at Equine Affaire. Get your application materials in before the February 16th deadline!

In addition to an unparalleled educational program, the 2015 Equine Affaire will feature the largest horse-related trade show in North America with more than 450 retailers and manufacturers filling four buildings at the Ohio Expo Center. Other highlights of the event will include the Rod’s Equestrian Experience Pavilion (showcasing numerous equestrian disciplines and breeds of horses); Equine Affaire’s signature musical celebration of the horse–the Fantasia sponsored by Absorbine®–on Thursday-Saturday nights; an extensive Breed Pavilion and Horse & Farm Exhibits area; a fun and informative Youth Pavilion; the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition on Thursday and Friday; and the Marketplace at Equine Affaire—a consignment store in the Bricker Annex featuring quality tack, apparel, and equine equipment for horse & rider. For everything you need to know to go, visit equineaffaire.com.

Equine Affaire, Inc.
Phone: (740) 845-0085 ext. 112
Fax: (740) 845-2879
kbrennan@equineaffaire.com

USDF would like to thank our title sponsor, Succeed, for their continued support. For information that will “ support your horse’s overall health and performance through digestive wellness” please click here.

USDF is pleased to announce that FEI Dressage Judge General Stephen Clarke will be our featured presenter for our 2015 Conference. Click here for attendance criteria.

DATE: January 19-20, 2015

LOCATION: High Meadows Farm
Loxahatchee, FL

DIRECTIONS: When arriving, please use the entrance on Sycamore Drive – click here.

REGISTRATION : Advanced Registration is available through January 9th. Click here to register online. Click here to mail or fax your registration. Registration will be available on site for an increased price for those who meet the attendance criteria.

HOTEL: The Embassy Suites West Palm Beach
1601 Belvedere Rd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
561-689-6400

The Embassy Suites will serve as our host hotel. Reservations MUST be
made by 12/20/2014 to receive the group rate. Click here to make a
reservation.

On Monday evening, January 19th, all registered attendees are invited to
join USDF for an evening reception and presentation with Stephen Clarke
at our host hotel. Details will be available during the conference.

SCHEDULE: TBA

RIDERS: Rider applications are being accepted through December 19th. To apply as a rider click here.

If you have any questions, please contact the program liaison at trainersconference@usdf.org or 859-971-2277.

Read about our 2014 conference featuring Steffen Peters and Scott Hassler here. You may see video footage from 2013 and 2014 conference featuring Steffen Peters and Scott Hassler on DressageClinic.com .

To see video footage from the 2012 conference featuring Christoph Hess, visit DressageClinic.com. Visit e-TRAK, USDF’s online learning center, to see Mr. Hess’ teaching style during our 2004 National Symposium.

Roberta Creek Williams said it best, “”Look Daddy, teacher says everytime a bell rings, an Angel gets their wings!” Yesterday, Veronica Holt left us to get her wings. Knowing that she is where she can be pain-free is a huge relief to the hole she has left in the Dressage Universe. I, for one, am calling “Dibs” on her to be my Guardian Angel.”

Denver—Whether it’s at the airport, in traffic or in line to see Santa Claus, no one likes to wait. As Veruca said in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, “I want it now!”
At PATH Intl., we know how difficult it is for those with special needs to have to wait for something they know could help them, something that brings them happiness as well as improved health. Yet, for many, being on a waiting list to receive equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) from a PATH Intl. Member Center is a reality.
According to the most recent PATH Intl. statistics, more than 5,200 individuals are on waiting lists at 315 PATH Intl. Member Centers. That’s 5,200 individuals waiting to receive the physical benefits therapeutic horsemanship provides, such as improved balance, breathing and circulation, and increased muscle strength, and the emotional benefits such as better social skills, improved self-esteem and reduced depression and anxiety.
PATH Intl. is the credentialing organization for the accredited centers that provide EAAT programing and for the certified professionals who work directly with the participants and their families. Through onsite workshops, instructors gain the skills and knowledge necessary to teach to a wide range of special needs. Read more about PATH Intl. Certifications. Key to the credentialing process is the PATH Intl. Standards for Certification and Accreditation manual, which details voluntary standards for the EAAT industry, necessary to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including our equine partners.
In 2014, PATH Intl. certified 415 instructors. It is clear, however, that more instructors are needed in order to reduce—or eliminate—the waiting lists at PATH Intl. Member Centers. Your gift to PATH Intl. can help certify more instructors or be used toward scholarships for them to attend continuing education sessions at PATH Intl. Conferences. As one recent conference attendee said on her evaluation form for “The Art of Teaching” session, “These types of sessions are what help me think out of the box. Anything you can offer to support our being better instructors is appreciated.”
Please consider a year-end gift to PATH Intl., and help someone get off the waiting list. Visit the PATH Intl. donation page or call Sam Albrecht at (800) 369-7433, ext. 127.

About PATH Intl.:
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International® (PATH Intl®.) was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs. At 852 member centers, more than 58,000 children and adults may find improved health, wellness and a sense of pride and independence through involvement with horses. Therapeutic horsemanship at member centers may include hippotherapy, equine-facilitated mental health, driving, interactive vaulting, trail riding, competition, ground work and stable management. Through a wide variety of educational resources, the association helps individuals start and maintain successful EAAT programs. There are nearly 53,000 volunteers, 4,544 instructors, 7,733 equines and thousands of contributors from all over the world helping people at PATH Intl. Member Centers.

Chagrin Falls, Ohio, December 23, 2014 – Horses helping combat veterans heal from the invisible wounds of war is the focus of a current research study funded by the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF). There is no group more universally highly regarded than our US wounded warriors, yet available treatments to address combat related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are limited and only moderately successful. Principal investigator Dr. Beth Lanning of Baylor University said that they “hypothesize that veterans participating in therapeutic riding (TR) will demonstrate an improvement in life satisfaction and participation and a reduction in PTSD symptoms. We theorize that one reason why TR leads to positive changes in behavior and a reduction in functional impairment for veterans with combat-related PTSD is that the partnership between the horse and the veteran provides a non-threatening foundation for self-exploration and post-traumatic growth.”

An estimated 300,000 veterans who were deployed since 2001 have returned with PTSD. We lose more veterans annually to suicide than we lost in combat during the entire Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined. Clearly, this is a problem we are obligated to solve. For many, equine assisted activities are the life changing experiences many seek.

This study will assess the changes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, quality of life and participation of combat veterans who participate in equine assisted activities. The research team will be assessing 75 veterans participating in 5 different programs or test sites. The participants will not be receiving therapy from therapists in this program – they will be learning to ride and to care for the horses. This highly motivational setting seems to create almost magical healing type responses in the veterans who participate in thousands of similar programs around the country. Research will give us more definitive and more scientific answers regarding just what is occurring in the arena that is helpful for the veterans.

Horses and Humans Research Foundation’s executive director, KC Henry, from Chagrin Falls, OH said “We are already excited about the research results. If they are as positive as many people expect, the VA and other support systems will have to take notice. We all want to give these veterans the best. They certainly deserve that.”

Horses and Humans Research Foundation is the only organization dedicated solely to funding research to support the equine-assisted activities and therapies field. Since its founding, HHRF has awarded $400,000 in professional research efforts led by eight research teams in the United States, Canada and Germany. The newest award, “Examination of the effects of equine assisted activities on PTSD symptoms, quality of life and participation in combat veterans” is the result of seed funding contributed by Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Programs of Washington D.C. The Caisson Platoon EAP, located at the Caisson Platoon training area on Fort Belvoir, serves the National Intrepid Centers of Excellence Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, and at Rock Creek Park, serving Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the DC Veterans Administration.

To make a donation and/or learn more about this and other Horses and Humans Research Foundation projects please click here.