The FEI investigation into the training methods used by Patrick Kittel on his horse Scandic in Odense, Denmark on 18 October 2009 has been concluded. Witness statements and video evidence have been thoroughly reviewed and the investigation finds are that there is no reliable evidence that the warm-up techniques used by Mr Kittel were excessive.

Switzerland's top Grand Prix rider Silvia Ikle has announced that she'll take a participation at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA, under consideration. Ikle's number one Grand Prix horse Salieri CH has been recovering more than a year from an injury and only recently got back to work.

Isabell Werth's chestnut mare Fabienne has been euthanized due to old age. Upon returning from the World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam, Werth discovered Fabienne in poor condition. The 29-year old retired mare was suffering from old age and it was decided to put her down.

The world famous dancing grey mare, Blue Hors Matine, was humanely put down today after a tragic accident in the field. A passer-by had noticed there was something wrong with the grey mare in the field and notified a staff member at Blue Hors.

Olympic superstar, Debbie McDonald, has taken on the role of USEF Developing Dressage Coach for the United States Equestrian Federation.

Dutch Grand Prix horse Hexagons Ollright has been sold to Great Britain as a schoolmaster for Lady Pauline Harris. The 14-year old KWPN branded gelding was a Dutch team horse in 2005 and 2006.

The 21-year old Lotje Schoots has been proclaimed Rabobank Talent of the Year 2009 at the 2010 CDI-W Amsterdam. The Rabobank Talent Plan, which supports upcoming equestrian athletes in The Netherlands, is in its 11th year and it is the first time that a rider has won the title twice. Schoots was already Talent of the Year in 2007.

In an interview with Horses of the Dutch, triple Olympic gold medallist Anky van Grunsven announced that her competition career will most likely continue until the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Annually, five of the USEF’s 130,000 registered horses achieve so much in a year that they are named USEF Horses of Honor and enter the running for the title of Horse of the Year. 
In 2009 all five of these horses were nothing short of remarkable. But one forever changed the face of his sport, and with that, Ravel was voted the 2009 USEF Horse of the Year.

Sandy Phillips and Jane Kidd have been appointed senior selectors for 2010 by British Dressage. British Dressage Magazine editor-in-chief and I-judge Jane Kidd and Grand Prix rider Sandy Phillips-Phlueger, who has returned on the selection committee after resigning in 2006 to be a member of the British WEG team herself, will be joining senior chair Nick Burton.