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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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Lettering Program Inspires Recognition and Respect for Equestrians

by Glenye Cain Oakford | March 10, 2020

Lake Effect Equestrian's Interscholastic Equestrian Association team has made joining the US Equestrian Lettering Program something of a tradition. Photo: Courtesy of Lake Effect Equestrian Lake Effect Equestrian in Edinboro, Pa., isn’t just teaching kids to ride; they’re also helping them earn junior-high and high-school letters for their commitments to equestrian sport. Lake Effect has a competitive Interscholastic Equestrian Association team that’s open to riders in

American Equestrians Got Talent Raises Funds for Discover Dressage™ USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program

by US Equestrian Communications Department | March 3, 2020

American Equestrians Got Talent (AEGT), an exciting talent-competition fundraiser for equestrian sport, is taking place Sunday, March 15, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. at the Adequan® Global Dressage VIP Tent, 13500 South Shore Boulevard, Wellington, Florida 33414. AEGT was founded by six-time dressage Olympian Robert Dover as a way to fundraise for US Equestrian programs and highlight equestrians’ non-horsey talents. Money raised from the AEGT Gala Finale will support the Discover

US Equestrian Announces Heritage Competition Designation for the Del Mar National Horse Show

by Del Mar National Horse Show | February 25, 2020

Rich Fellers on Flexible after winning the 2012 Hermes Grand Prix at the Del Mar National Horse Show. Photo: Patti Newton The Del Mar National Horse Show in California has joined an elite group of US Equestrian-licensed shows, earning the designation of USEF Heritage Competition. The show has brought equestrian excellence to San Diego County for 75 years and stands among the handful of horse shows in the country to reach such a milestone. Over the years, Del Mar has earned its reputation for

Meet the U.S. Jumping Athletes at the Palm Beach Masters Youth CSI

by US Equestrian Communications Department | February 14, 2020

Chefs d’Equipe DiAnn Langer and Anne Kursinski have assembled an impressive group of 20 promising athletes for the 2020 Palm Beach Masters Youth CSI . Langer will lead the U.S. Children’s Jumping Team and both U.S. Junior Jumping Teams, while the two U.S. Young Rider Jumping Teams will compete under the guidance of Kursinski. Get to know more about these rising stars before competition kicks off on Saturday, February 15! Athletes listed in alphabetical order by last name. U.S.

Hoof Abscesses: Tips for Treatment and Prevention

by Glenye Cain Oakford | February 10, 2020

Hoof abscesses can be painful for your mount and cost you time in the saddle. We asked Dr. Luke Fallon of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for his best tips about dealing with hoof abscesses, including identifying, treating, and avoiding them. Read on to find out the signs that distinguish an abscess from another problem, what to put in your hoof-soaking solution, and what management techniques can help reduce your horse’s chance of getting a hoof abscess. A hoof abscess can look

Six Ways to Prevent Mud

by Glenye Oakford | January 27, 2020

Mud is hard on human and horse alike, and many a barn manager undoubtedly has wished they could simply wave a magic wand to get rid of it. Reducing mud around the barn and pasture isn’t quite that easy, but there are things you can do to prevent it. We asked Dr. Stephen Higgins, director of environmental compliance for the University of Kentucky’s Agricultural Experiment Station in Lexington, Ky., for his top mud-prevention tips. “You have to be willing to try things and think

The 2020 Census: You Count!

by US Equestrian Communications | January 21, 2020

Don’t miss being counted in the 2020 census just because you’re busy at the barn or traveling for a competition. The U.S. Constitution requires a census each decade, and this year, for the first time, you can participate in the nationwide count online. Check out 2020census.gov for more details, including information about accessibility for all respondents. The Timeline Most households in the country will be able to start participating between March 12 and March 20, when the U.S.

Missed US Equestrian’s 2020 Annual Meeting? Catch Up On Demand at USEF Network

by US Equestrian Communications | January 14, 2020

US Equestrian’s 2020 Annual Meeting is in the books, but you can still access the highlights, celebration, and shared knowledge from the General Session, the Horse of the Year Gala presented by Aon and the Pegasus Awards presented by Adequan®, and the week’s panel discussions on USEF Network . And don’t miss these key summaries: General Session President Murray Kessler Outlines Key Areas of Success and Introduces Goals for the Future at 2020 US Equestrian Annual Meeting US

Three Easy Ways to Stay Up to Date for US Equestrian’s 2020 Annual Meeting

by US Equestrian Communications | January 7, 2020

Stay engaged with US Equestrian’s Annual Meeting , whether you’re on site at the Hilton West Palm Beach in Florida or following along from home. 1. Download the 2020 US Equestrian Annual Meeting app. The app features staff and panelist bios, a detailed daily schedule, an activity feed, maps and floor plans for the Hilton, and much more. Get started in three easy steps: Step 1: Download the CrowdCompass AttendeeHub app. Click here to download for iOS and here to

Lessons, Comfort, and Joy from a Beloved Horse

by Ashley Collins | December 11, 2019

Ashley Collins and Tomasa at Bluestone Stables in South Salem, N.Y., in November 2018. Photo: Rob Cassady My mare Tomasa has to be retired due to an injury, and I feel like I’m losing a part of my family. It is difficult to accept that this 19-year-old horse, whom I have leaned on both physically and emotionally for the past decade, will no longer be central to my life. We first met on a hot Sunday afternoon, the last day of a fall horse show at the LA Equestrian Center in California.

After Brain Injury, Healing with Horses

by Glenye Cain Oakford | November 26, 2019

Brittany Halstead and Dos Equis after their first hunter jumper round at Brownland Farm in Franklin, Tenn., on Oct. 5. Photo: Tina Halstead Brittany Halstead had the best of two equestrian worlds— hunter jumpers and polo—when a car crash nearly ended her life in 2014. Her recovery was nothing short of miraculous, and she credits working with two horses, polo ponies Fanta and Dos Equis, for helping her return to the saddle and the show ring. In return, she formed ReplayPolo , which

SafeSport Training Refresher: What You Need to Know

by Glenye Cain Oakford | November 19, 2019

Did you get a reminder to take your SafeSport Training refresher course? The refresher is quick and easy, and completing the course ensures that an adult competing member can continue to participate in USEF-licensed competitions as an owner, athlete, or trainer. You’ll find additional information and resources about SafeSport Training and USEF’s Safe Sport Policy—including SafeSport Training FAQs —on the Safe Sport page at usef.org . Here’s what you need to know: