United States Eventing Association

North American Thoroughbred Society Launches Annual USEA Performance Awards

March 09, 2009 – The North American Thoroughbred Society (NATBS), a company that promotes the interests of Jockey Club-registered North American Thoroughbreds, today launched the NATBS Annual USEA Performance Awards. The award program recognizes the achievements of NATBS member Thoroughbreds competing at 2008-9 USEA-recognized competitions.

Performance data will be provided to NATBS by the USEA, and awards will be given in the following categories:

Beginner Novice: Junior Rider, Young Rider, Adult, Adult Amateur

Novice: Junior Rider, Young Rider, Adult, Adult Amateur

Training: Junior Rider, Young Rider, Adult, Adult Amateur

Prelim: Young Rider, Adult, Adult Amateur

Intermediate: Young Rider, Adult, Adult Amateur

Advanced: Young Rider, Adult, Adult Amateur

NATBS awards will adhere to the official USEA competition year, which runs from December through November. To be eligible for NATBS awards for a competition year, Thoroughbreds must be recorded with the NATBS by August 15th of that year.

"We are pleased to work with the USEA in offering another avenue of recognition for its members who choose Thoroughbreds as their eventing partners," said Anita Adamski, founder and chief executive officer of NATBS. "NATBS North American Series awards also offer eventing recognition nationally and locally, but they do not rank performance. Based on USEA data, we are pleased to offer this additional level of recognition for competitors. As a bonus, all members who participate in the NATBS Annual USEA Performance Awards are automatically eligible for the North American Series."

All award specifications are in accordance with the USEA National Year-end Awards criteria, located at www.useventing.com, under Competitions/Leaderboard. Members are encouraged to check their standings throughout the competition year .. Results will be posted both on www.useventing.com and at www.hellohorse.com by December 31, 2009. NATBS standings will also appear in the USEA Eventing USA magazine's awards issue. Certificates will be mailed end of January.

NATBS recognizes the achievements of Thoroughbreds, supports Thoroughbred breed classes, and fosters community for members for choosing Thoroughbreds as their valued sport and recreational horses. Award programs include the North American Series, Worldwide Trails Program, United States Dressage Federation All Breeds Awards, Dressage at Devon, Kentucky Dressage Federation Breeder Classics and Parkland Festival. More detailed information about NATBS Rulebook, membership, and other award programs can be found at www.hellohorse.com.

About The North American Thoroughbred Society

The North American Thoroughbred Society (NATBS), Inc. supports and promotes the interests of Jockey Club-registered North American Thoroughbreds. NATBS works to create community, develop educational resources, and foster recreational activities that reward members for choosing Thoroughbreds as their valued sport and recreational horses. At the same time, the company recognizes Thoroughbred horses' achievements through merit awards and other means across a range of equine disciplines. The company is membership-based, privately held, and located in Madison, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.hellohorse.com.