United States Eventing Association

Irish Draught Horse Society of North America Named Title Sponsor of the USEA Future Event Horse Series

The USEA is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America, who will become the 2009 title sponsors of the USEA Future Event Horse Series.

“From the point-of-view of the Irish Draught Society, the sponsorship of the Future Event Horse Series is the perfect marriage,” explained IDHSNA President Larry Robbins. “We have Irish Draught Sport Horses competing at all levels of the sport, and we have many purebred Irish Draughts competing in the lower levels, as well. The society is working for more recognition for the Irish horses and also hoping to continue educating and promoting this wonderful breed. This is an exciting opportunity for us!”

“We’re very excited about this new partnership with the IDHSNA,” said USEA CEO Jo Whitehouse. “So many of the top event horses over the years have the Irish Draught breed in their heritage, and the full-bred Irish Draught has begun to make a name for itself at the lower levels of our sport as well. Sound in mind and limb, these horses makes the perfect all around-event partner.”

Irish Horses and Eventing – a Perfect Match

The Irish Draught Society of North America is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and celebration of the Irish Draught Horse and Irish Draught partbreds. The Society strives to assist in the conservation of the breed throughout the world and maintains the studbooks for qualified Irish Draught and partbred Irish Draught horses in North America.

Think you don’t know any famous Irish Draught Sport Horse eventers? Think again! Some of the most successful four-star event horses in the world are Irish: McKinlaigh, Custom Made, Biko, Headley Brittania, Ben Along Time, Giltedge, Supreme Rock, Ballincoola, Ringwood Cockatoo, Tankers Town, and many other horses.

Though the even temperament, durability and power of the Irish Draught, mixed with the speed and athleticism of the Thoroughbred is a fabulous combination for the rider with upper-level aspirations, Irish Draught Sport Horses and purebred Irish Draughts make wonderful junior and adult amateur mounts as well.

This breed possesses a fabulous temperament combined with athleticism, willingness, intelligence, and common sense—as well as great stamina and world-class jumping ability!

What is the Future Event Horse Series?

The USEA Future Event Horse (FEH) series was introduced in 2007 as a pilot program as, what the USEA hoped would be, a successful pre-cursor to the already popular Spalding Labs/USEA Young Event Horse series, which is designed for four- and five-year-olds. Since the “test year” was so successful – with more than fifty young horses competing at the year-end Championship show – 2008 saw the FEH’s first season as a bonafide USEA program.

The FEH program focuses on yearlings, two-year-olds, and three-year-olds, and judging the potential they have to become a successful event horse. Each age group is judged separately, and genders within the age group are judged separately when the number of entries allows.

The program has been immensely successful and more shows are constantly being added to the calendar. These classes are very laid-back and serve as the perfect opportunity for breeders and owners to showcase their future competition horses.

Want to learn more about hosting FEH classes at your venue? It’s a great chance to get involved with the program – simple, fun, and a chance to make a few bucks, too! Please give us a call at the USEA office: 703-779-0440.

Future Event Horses at Rolex!

For the third year in a row, there will be a Future Event Horse Demonstration at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* Event in Lexington, KY next week. The demonstration will take place in the Walnut Arena on Friday, April 24th and is scheduled to start between 12:00 - 12:15, during the lunch break. The horses will be presented in-hand by renowned handlers Bruce and Staci Griffin, as well as Olympic gold medalist David O'Connor. USEA CEO Jo Whitehouse and Olympian Karen O' Connor will be commentating during the demo.

Learn More

For more information on the IDHSNA/USEA Future Event Horse Series, click on the FEH logo on the USEA homepage – www.useventing.com, or contact Wendy Weinstein at [email protected] or Emily Daily at [email protected]. Or simply call the USEA office at 703-779-0440.

Want to get involved with the IDHSNA? Log on to IrishDraught.com to find out more about these wonderful horses.

The IDHSNA/USEA Future Event Horse Series is proud to have the support of the following sponsors: Title – Irish Draught Society of North America; Elite – Nutrena; Championships Supporting Sponsor – Foxden Equine. Want to learn more about sponsoring this exciting series? Give us a call! 703-779-0440 ext. 3006.