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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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USEF Insider: Safety Vests in Horse Sports: What We Know and What We Don't

by Natalie Voss | February 5, 2026

In recent years, safety air vests have become a popular piece of safety equipment for equestrians across a range of disciplines. ASTM-certified body protectors became mandatory in eventing for the cross country phase starting in 2006, but both foam body protectors and air vests are increasingly being seen in other competition rings, too. Equestrian helmets are tested by one of several international standards organizations which have protocols for evaluating the performance of helmets under

USEF Insider: What’s Happening With That Rule? AEDs Could Be Required at Horse Shows

by Natalie Voss | February 5, 2026

This is the second edition of our series about proposed rule changes. Rule changes go through a long process wherein members, committees, and councils review and revise them before they are passed or rejected. (You can learn more about that process i n this article from Equestrian Magazine .) This series is aimed at helping members understand why rule changes have been proposed, why they’re constructed the way they are, and how they may change as they go through the process. You can

USEF Insider: Our First Member Listening Session of 2026 Is Fast Approaching!

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | February 5, 2026

After receiving positive feedback from members about our 2025 horse welfare town hall series, US Equestrian will be continuing in-person and virtual listening sessions in 2026 focusing on horse and member welfare. The first session of the year will be held at Desert Circuit at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, Calif., next Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the Palms Club. US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney and COO/General Counsel Sonja Keating will be on hand to provide updates on

USEF Insider: Is Equestrian Sport Ready to Deal With Fall Data?

by Debbie Elliot | February 5, 2026

Improving the safety of our sport for both horse and rider is a priority for US Equestrian. At the 2026 Annual Meeting in Louisville, Ky., a session titled “Equestrian Safety: Are We Ready?” discussed how aspects such as data collection and concussion management can make equestrian sport safer. Moderator David O’Connor, US Equestrian Chief of Sport, opened the panel discussion by stating that there are 1.77 million “starts” in USEF-licensed competitions each

Different Arena, Same Art Form: A Cross-Sport Look at Ice Dancing and Dressage

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | February 3, 2026

At first glance, Olympic figure skating and Grand Prix dressage freestyles appear to exist in entirely different worlds: one is performed on ice, the other on arena footing. Yet at the highest levels of sport, the similarities between the two disciplines become clear. Both demand extraordinary technical precision, athleticism, musicality, and an almost intangible quality of harmony between athlete and partner. Few people understand this parallel more intimately than Laura Roberts, Managing

A Heritage Written in Hoofprints: Wildcard, the Jumper Pony Carrying a Vanishing Legacy

by Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | January 30, 2026

When Stacey Sather and her 12-year-old daughter, Caroline, purchased Wildcard, affectionately known as “Hawk,” in 2024, they didn’t just bring home a promising jumper, they brought home a living piece of equine history. Wildcard, a 2014 gelding (Ahneen x Willow) is an Ojibwe/Thoroughbred cross and one of just over 200 known Ojibwe horses in existence today, a rare representative of a breed whose survival once hung by a thread. A Spirit Horse Nearly Lost Wildcard as a foal |

Ride, Watch, Learn, Improve

by Debbie Elliot | January 22, 2026

It has been proven that athletes improve fastest when they can see what happened, analyze the truth of their performance, reflect on it, and measure their progress over time. While professional athletes can watch replays of their game or competition, amateurs—especially equestrians—haven’t had the benefit of being able to watch themselves perform … until now. Pivo Equestrian features 360-degree rotation that tracks your horse’s movement as you go around the arena

In Response to Affiliate, Licensed Official and Member Feedback, USEF Board Agrees to Adjust Schedule for General Rule Updates

by Natalie Voss | January 21, 2026

The US Equestrian Board of Directors met on Jan. 18, 2026 at the conclusion of the Federation’s annual meeting in Louisville, Ky. In addition to getting update reports on various long-term initiatives, the board made key decisions on several rule changes and other resolutions. Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian Proposed Rule Changes The board disapproved an extraordinary rule change to GR803 which had been discussed at the mid-year board meeting in June 2025 and was tabled. This rule change

Trainers vs. Coaches: Clearing Up Entry Blank Confusion

by Natalie Voss | January 21, 2026

As the new competition year begins, US Equestrian would like to clear up some confusion about the roles listed on entry agreements and waivers. We’ve had a number of questions from people about how to determine who needs to be listed as a “trainer” or a “coach” on entry forms, and we can understand that this can be confusing. The terms are sometimes used differently across breeds and disciplines, and even between barns. For the purposes of an entry agreement, a

What’s Happening With That Rule? Provisional Suspensions for Key Substances

by Natalie Voss | January 21, 2026

Please note that as of March 2026, a second draft of this rule change proposal has been issued in response to committee and member feedback. The new version of the proposal limits the provisional suspension to the horse and the trainer, and does not impose it until after the B sample has been returned. This version of the rule will be available for member comment through April 19. This week, we’re debuting a new series about proposed rule changes. Rule changes go through a long process

The Elephant in the Room: Competition Costs, Fees, and What’s Ahead

by Natalie Voss | January 20, 2026

It’s no secret that costs have risen for everyone – from the grocery store to your vet bills and yes, even your US Equestrian fees. One of the biggest things we heard from members when we announced a rise in fees (which goes into effect April 1) was that their frustration wasn’t only about the cost of their membership. Rather, they’re feeling the squeeze from that across-the-board creep on all costs, which has been going on for a few years. A University of Guelph study

Adequan® Elite Trainer Program Helps Improve Equine Joint Health Care and Knowledge

by US Equestrian Communications | January 20, 2026

Recognizing the pivotal role that trainers play in the overall well-being of horses, American Regent Animal Health, makers of Adequan i.m. ® (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), recently launched an expanded version of its Adequan ® Elite Trainer Program, which is designed to educate trainers about equine joint health. The Adequan ® Elite Trainer Program originally launched as a pilot program in 2023 as a unique initiative offering extensive education on equine arthritis, also known as