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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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With Mischief Managed, Dr. Brandy Snedden Found a Passion for Combined Driving

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | September 23, 2026

Dr. Brandy Snedden didn't set out to become a combined driving competitor. An ambulatory equine veterinarian running her own practice in Thornville, Ohio; a single mother; and a lifelong horse enthusiast, Snedden's path to the sport reads like a string of fortunate coincidences, each one leading naturally to the next. That path – as many good ones do – started with a pony. Brandy Snedden and Mischief Managed (©Photo courtesy of Brandy Snedden) A client of

Why Are There Independent Directors on the USEF Board?

by Kimberly Loushin/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | September 22, 2026

Shortly after Jon Kreitz retired from the military seven years ago, US Equestrian announced we were accepting nominations for an independent director seat on the board of directors, and one of Kreitz’s neighbors suggested he should look into it. While Kreitz had previous experience serving on the board of other nonprofits and organizations, he’d never been involved with an equestrian one, so he started doing some research. As he read through the requirements and looked at the

From USDF Bronze Medalist to USEF Western Dressage Seat Medal Final, This Partnership Endures

by Raelyn Baker/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | September 22, 2026

Tango and his mohawk Michelle Frank was raised in the saddle, literally and figuratively. Frank’s mother would sit her on the front of her saddle, and she soon found her way to her own stirrups. Frank used to jump when she was younger but found herself gravitating towards dressage. It didn’t take long for the technicality and elegance of the discipline to win her over. With a USDF bronze medal in hand, Frank had turned to western dressage after she started riding Aka Tango, a 2009

5 Reasons to Spend a Fall Weekend in Leesburg, Virginia

by Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | September 17, 2026

With the summer officially behind us, it's time to embrace everything that makes fall special: crisp temperatures, vibrant foliage, pumpkin spice lattes, fall festivals, and of course, the highly anticipated US Equestrian Open Eventing Final . Taking place October 8-11, 2026, at Morven Park in Leesburg, Va., the championship brings together top-level sport and endless opportunities to enjoy one of the East Coast’s most charming fall destinations. 1. Celebrate Virginia Wine Month

A New Remount Assessment is Coming for the 2027 Show Season

by Kimberly Loushin/US Equestrian Communications | September 15, 2026

There’s a common adage that you should get back on the horse if you fall, but US Equestrian recognizes that immediately remounting might not to be the safest course of action. As part of ongoing efforts to improve human and equine safety, the USEF board approved a change to GR848.1, which will go into effect December 1, 2026. The change stipulates that participants “who have fallen from a horse or horse-drawn vehicle at a competition, must be examined by the competition Qualified

How It Works: US Equestrian Compliance Department

by Kimberly Loushin | September 14, 2026

You may have heard about the US Equestrian Compliance Department but don’t have a firm grasp on what exactly its role is. In short, Compliance is there to help make the member experience better at horse shows and help ensure competitions are held to the appropriate standard. What many people don’t realize is that they aren’t a regulatory group. Compliance helps facilitate communication with competition organizers to resolve issues. The Compliance Department has three main

“It's a Tough Transition Going from Being a Top Athlete to Living in a Wheelchair”

by Debbie Elliot | September 14, 2026

Growing up in Ireland, Kevin Babington was immersed in horses from a young age. He was the youngest of 11 children, and while his siblings weren’t into horses, a school friend invited him to watch a riding lesson at age nine, and Babington was instantly hooked. The first equine he bought was a donkey named Fred ... but the future Olympian still managed to teach him how to jump! After graduating from donkeys to horses, Babington took his riding instructor exams with the British Horse

What’s the Role of the USEF Licensed Official Committee?

by Kimberly Loushin | September 14, 2026

US Equestrian’s 41 committees are broken up into three categories: governance and administrative, breeds/disciplines and FEI sport, and each play a unique role in shaping equestrian sport. As one of the 17 governance and administrative committees, the Licensed Officials Committee (LOC) serves the needs and interests of each of the Federation’s 29 breeds and disciplines. The LOC is currently comprised of 11 members, most of whom hold at least one license with USEF, though that is

What’s the Role of USEF’s Adaptive Sport Committee?

by Natalie Voss/US Equestrian Commmunications | September 14, 2026

This spring, USDF silver medalist Sara Norris-Kamerer was frustrated. She had been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis, fibromyalgia, and functional neurological disorder. All of these conditions added a challenge in the saddle, creating tremors and pain that have real impacts on her stability and balance, but even taken together they did not meet the standard for a para athlete classification. Norris-Kamerer sent an email to Ellie Brimmer, president of the United States Para Equestrian

Tad Coffin Reflects on the 50th Anniversary of Winning Double Olympic Gold

by Debbie Elliot | September 14, 2026

Photo courtesy of Tad Coffin At just 21 years old, Edmund “Tad” Coffin had the surreal experience of standing on the podium at the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympic Games to receive a gold medal, not once, but twice. Coffin, on his mount Bally Cor, became the first American to win the individual eventing gold medal at the ‘76 Games, and was also a member of the gold-medal winning U.S. team. Photo courtesy of Tad Coffin Fifty years on, Coffin reflected on his road to the

Meet the Rescue Pony Who Made It All the Way to USEF Pony Finals

by Debbie Elliot | September 14, 2026

When the best ponies from across the U.S. travelled to the Kentucky Horse Park in August, there was a very special pony among them who had already beaten the odds. Photo courtsey of Leigha Schrader Just Do It (“Nike”) and his owner/rider Adelaide Thompson had their dreams come true when they qualified for the pony jumper division in the large pony category at the 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall+Sterling. But Nike isn’t any ordinary pony. As a yearling in 2016, he

College Best Friends Find a Shared Love for Something They Never Expected: Arabians

by Raelyn Baker/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | September 13, 2026

If you asked the younger versions of Mary Scott Head and Hayden Weinstein if they would ever stray from their hunter/jumper roots, they would say never. Until both girls found themselves unexpectedly finding their way back to the saddle with the help of two very special Arabians. Nowadays, neither girl can imagine a life without the horses they describe as dedicated, intelligent, willing, and their heart horses. After meeting in college, the girls instantly became best friends. While they may