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Here you can find our archive of stories from Equestrian Weekly, our once-a-week look at affiliate news, international competition, amateur profiles, horse care tips, and more. You’ll also find stories from the USEF Insider, a twice-monthly email newsletter packed with features about USEF people and programs, including our drugs and medications program, regulations, and competitions departments.

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Juliana Sardelli and Cupid Take Center Stage

by Raelyn Baker/US Equestrian Communication Dept. | August 1, 2026

Taking center stage the moment they enter the sandbox is Juliana Sardelli and her own black and white pinto pony, Cupid. Known for his goofy personality and love for food, this 2017 Gypsy Cross gelding (Lazarus of Feathered Gold x Turning Point Sateen) is one everyone falls in love with, including his pasture mates. “He has an incredible personality and can help you do pretty much anything you set your mind to. He is so sweet and cuddly, and I love how willing he is,” said Sardelli.

Olivia Martz Carries on Her Mother’s Legacy Down Centerline

by Raelyn Baker/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | August 1, 2026

The FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships, presented by USDF, is considered one of the most exciting weeks of the year for many young athletes, but for Region 6 Young Rider Olivia Martz, it has also become a week of remembrance and celebration for a different reason. Olivia and Rhianna at the 2025 NAYC Born into a horsey family, Martz was surrounded by horses the moment she opened her eyes, and she learned to walk at NAYC while her mother was teaching students from the in-gate.

Emmeline Adamick’s Journey at NAYC

by Raelyn Baker/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | July 31, 2026

Emmeline Adamick has her eyes set on stepping onto the podium as a winner at this year's Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) presented by USHJA. Set to take place at Traverse City Horse Shows’ Flintfields Horse Park, Adamick shares what makes this event so special to her and fellow competitors alike. Serving as the only FEI-recognized youth championship in North America, NAYC gives young and aspiring athletes an opportunity to compete in a format similar to

Meet Wilona HSR: The Mare Who Helped Vee Stavroula Dravilas Go from Heartbreak to NAYC

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | July 31, 2026

Three and a half months ago, Vee Stavroula Dravilas didn't know she'd be heading to NAYC aboard her trainer, Kathryn Fleming-Kuhn's, Grand Prix mare, Wilona HSR. She didn't even know the mare would be her ride at all for the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships presented by USDF . Getting there meant working through a disappointment first. Dravilas aboard Wilona HSR at the FEI North American Youth Dressage Championships presented by USDF (©US Equestrian) In late

Cisy Zhou’s Journey to Jumpers

by Raelyn Baker/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | July 30, 2026

With multiple podium finishes at Capital Challenge, Pennsylvania National, Devon, WIHS, and USEF Pony Finals, Cisy Zhou is well known amongst pony competitors. However, in the past year, the 11-year-old rider from New York, N.Y. has expressed her growing interest in the jumper ring and will be one to watch out for. In the saddle since she was 3, Zhou has taken to riding as fish takes to water, and now finds herself excelling in the hunters, equitation, and jumpers. Attending the Gotham

Sophia Ayers Hopeful Path to Senior Teams Defined by Her Love of Horses

by Raelyn Baker/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | July 30, 2026

Like many young athletes, Ayers can speak to the magnitude this championship has had not only on herself, but others as well. “The thing about NAYC is that I’ve made so many friends and getting to show somewhere different is amazing,” she said. “I'm so excited; you really can’t top the team experience; I really do love it.” Last year, Ayers assisted the Zone 4 winning team to gold and finished seventh in the individual competition in a division

Meet Interscholastic Athlete of the Month: Sophia Goetz

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | July 30, 2026

For Sophia Goetz, a 17-year-old from Windsor, Colo., the path to being in the saddle began at age six and took shape with her first lesson horse at nine. It was a green start which quickly turned into an all-consuming passion. Sophia and Mickie (Photo courtesy of the Goetz family) "They keep you honest," Goetz said of horses. "You can't fake your way through a run, and you can't force that kind of raw power." Goetz's early years in the sport were shaped by a small,

Where Does the Money Go at US Equestrian?

by Natalie Voss | July 29, 2026

When we announced increases in USEF membership, horse recording, and other fees (the first in more than eight years) last fall, members had a lot of questions — and a lot of frustrations. One of the most common questions we got was where money goes at US Equestrian. In a series kicking off today, we’ll try to make the answer to this question easier to understand. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Per USEF bylaws and US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) requirements, the

USEF Mythbusters: Where Does Money Come From for Top Level Equestrian Sports Teams?

by Natalie Voss | July 29, 2026

As the national governing body for all levels of equestrian sport – not just the Olympic levels of equestrian sports – we get a lot of questions from members who wonder whether their hard-earned membership fees are paying for an upper-level rider to send their horse to a faraway European destination to contest a high performance event like a championship. ©Andrea Evans/US Equestrian The term “high performance” encompasses US Equestrian’s programs dedicated to

A Coaches’ Registry, Lite Competitions for Eventers, and Overuse Data: Topics from US Equestrian’s July Listening Session

by Kimberly Loushin | July 29, 2026

As part of US Equestrian’s July Listening Session , we presented three topics for feedback: a trainer/coach registry, an expansion to the USEF Lite Program for eventers, and data on overuse in hunter/jumper competition. US Equestrian Chief of Sport David O’Connor and CEO Bill Moroney were joined by Bec Braitling, a five-star eventer and USEA ECP level V certified eventing coach, and USEA CEO Rob Burk. If you missed the session live, you can catch a replay here . Coaches’

Meet Iniesto: An Andalusian Built for Family, Fire, and Grand Prix Dreams

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | July 29, 2026

Some horses make an impression because of what they accomplish in the arena. Others leave an impression because of who they are when they walk back through the barn aisle. For Katie Nayak (Tucson, Ariz.), her partner is special because he is both. Technically, Nayak’s horse is named Iniesto, a 2013 Andalusian gelding (Dimarts x Euro V), owned by Pamela Farthing. But that name is rarely used. Katie Nayak and Iniesto (©Teri Miller, Courtesy of the Nayak family) “I call him

Meet Numero Valentina Z: Ellington Vasan’s Dainty Pocket Rocket Ready for Take Off at NAYC

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | July 28, 2026

At just 14 years old, Ellington Vasan is heading into the 2026 Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships presented by USHJA with a new partner, a change in division, and a story that's come together in a matter of months. Vasan (Los Altos Hills, Calif.) is moving up to the Pre-Junior Jumpers this year after a successful debut at NAYC last year in the Children's Jumper division aboard Bling vd Duvelshoeve Z, where she earned a Children's Jumper team silver medal as