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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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Riders Welcome American Saddlebred Hunter Country Pleasure Division’s Debut at 2019 World’s Championship Horse Show

by Glenye Cain Oakford | August 20, 2019

The historic World’s Championship Horse Show , which takes place Aug. 17-24 in Louisville, Ky., is already underway. And this year, supporters of the popular American Saddlebred hunter country pleasure division will be celebrating the competition with even more enthusiasm than usual, as the 2019 show marks that division’s debut at the World’s Championship. Phyllis Brannon's champion Harlem’s Sweet Success, ridden by the owner's daughter Caitlin, is among the

Conquering Obstacles, Overcoming Limitations: The Shetland Ponies That Are Changing Lives

by Ashley Swift | August 16, 2019

The American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) recently hosted the 73 rd annual National Congress in Lake St. Louis, Mo., where registered Shetland ponies vied for national championship titles in everything from halter to jumpers in-hand to multi-hitch driving. One small but mighty group competing for a variety of championships was the Palas family of Story City, Iowa. Greg Palas, along with his wife and their three children, brought a very special group of Shetland ponies to show in the Conquering

The Science Behind Your Horse’s Feed

by Glenye Cain Oakford | August 13, 2019

“Research into the equine microbiome and specific probiotics already has affected nutrition knowledge a lot,” Dr. Bill Vandergrift says. Photo: Kim Russell Feeding horses today isn’t just a matter of tossing every horse the same kind of grain and adjusting the amount based on each horse’s weight. Today, thanks to research and advances in equine nutrition, feed works in a more efficient and targeted way. That presents opportunities to pinpoint and address specific needs

$600 Rescue Pony Makes a Splash at 2019 USEF Pony Finals Presented by Collecting Gaits Farm

by Ashley Swift | August 11, 2019

Eleven-year-old Alpine Griffin (Fort Collins, Colo.) and her mom/trainer Suzanne Cox Griffin attended the 2019 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm with a black and white pinto new to the pony hunter scene and a remarkable background. Always Chipper, Suzanne’s nine-year old pony gelding, is an exhibitor favorite everywhere they go but this is the first year he has competed at Pony Finals. They finished in the top 20 of the Small Green Hunter Pony National Championship and

Personal Bests and Family Support Mean More than Ribbons for Pony Finals First-Timer Ann Frances Truluck

by Ashley Swift | August 11, 2019

The USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm enthusiastically welcomes a new group of riders and ponies every year. This year, Ann Frances Truluck (Columbia, S.C.) came to Pony Finals for the first time to compete one pony in the largest section of the hunter championships, the Medium Regular Hunter Pony National Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans. Truluck rode Jessie Spade’s 13-year-old Warmblood gelding All Yours, and this relatively new partnership has been

Model Phase Tips from 12-Year-Old Best Presented Model Pony Award Winner

by Kathleen Landwehr | August 10, 2019

The 2019 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm may be winding down, but it is never too early to start thinking about next year. The Model phase of the hunter pony divisions is something that can be foreign to young competitors, but 12-year-old Susannah Morrell (Lakeland, Fla.) has a few tips for anyone looking ahead to next year. Susannah Morrell and Southern Rhapsody at the 2019 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm (Kathleen Landwehr/US Equestrian) Susannah is

Half-Arabian Mare Proves Variety is the Spice of Life

by Hope Ellis-Ashburn | August 6, 2019

Hope Ellis-Ashburn and her Arabian mare, Sally. Photo: Courtesy of Hope Ellis-Ashburn When I first became involved with Arabian horses in the mid-1980s, just one of my idols was the iconic Khemosabi +++//. He was wildly successful, and I admired him at least partially for his versatility, a quality that for me would come to personify the Arabian breed to whom, for decades, I have dedicated my life. Khemosabi was a multi-talented, multi-discipline champion who filled me with excitement. However,

Pony Power

by Ashley Swift, US Equestrian Communications | August 5, 2019

Competitors and spectators at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian are used to seeing a variety of horse breeds among the entries, from Thoroughbreds to Irish Sport Horses. But there were two entries this year who prove that ponies can add some punch to any athlete's pedigree! Sparrow's Nio and Allie Sacksen Photo: Alex Banks/US Equestrian Sparrow’s Nio (Grange Finn Sparrow x JB/Unknown) 2003 Connemara /Thoroughbred gelding Owner/Rider: Allie

What Makes the Adequan® FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North So Special? Thoughts from Alums on Their Experiences

by Glenye Cain Oakford, Kathleen Landwehr, and Dana Riddlemoser | August 3, 2019

The Adequan ® FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North have provided countless learning experiences for young athletes and their supporters over the years. Being on a team with other aspiring individuals and working towards a goal teaches much to everyone involved. Past participants Callie Jones (dressage), Michael Murphy (jumping), and Martin Kuhn (dressage) have reaped the benefits from their NAYC appearances and think others can, too. Callie Jones Callie Jones is

NAYC: A Family Affair

by Ashley Swift and Glenye Cain Oakford | August 1, 2019

For some athletes and their parents, the Adequan® FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North becomes a long-term commitment that lasts even after the young riders have aged out of the competition. We spoke to members of two families— Holly and Ralph Caristo and Debbie and Nicole DelGiorno—about what makes the NAYC so special and why they’ve stayed involved. Ralph and Holly Caristo Holly and Ralph Caristo at the 2019 NAYC at Old Salem Farm. Photo: Erin

NAYC Alums Lyle and Deslauriers: Enjoy and Learn from the Moment!

by Glenye Cain Oakford and Dana Riddlemoser | July 31, 2019

The Adequan ® FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North provide big opportunities to their young participants and can help launch professional or high-performance careers. But the experience is about even more than that, say NAYC alums Adrienne Lyle (dressage) and Lucy Deslauriers (jumping). We sat down with both to get their advice for first-time competitors and find out what they feel they gained from participating in NAYC as youths. Adrienne Lyle Dressage Olympian

Pick Your Path: Getting to the NAYC

by Dana Riddlemoser, US Equestrian Communications Department | July 30, 2019

Photo: Taylor Pence/US Equestrian Many of equestrian sport’s finest athletes did not simply appear on the grandest stage. They worked hard and gained experience through steppingstone competitions and events, like the Adequan® FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North. The young athletes that will compete this week also committed to participating and took the appropriate steps to join an illustrious group of alumni. Competing in the NAYC is an attainable goal,