Connemaras

Elan Stremmel of Cazanozia, N.Y., is making her first appearance at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions this week, riding her longtime partner Bitsy's Itsy, an 11-year-old Connemara-Oldenburg-Thoroughbred cross (Wasabi x Bitsy), in the Aspen Leaf Farm/USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship. Stremmel and Itsy with George Williams, US Equestrian Dressage Youth Coach and High Performance & Pathway Development Advisor (©US Equestrian) "She loves to work, and she loves to do...

When Grace Livingston tried a four-year-old pony named Shadey Hills Golden Cloud when she was 13, she didn't expect to see herself competing against some of the best pony-and-rider combinations in the U.S. four years later at the 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall+Sterling. “We didn't know anything about him,” Livingston said of her 2018 Connemara gelding (Windy Isles Get Smart x The Contessa). “I was not at the level where I should have been riding...

When Braden Speck’s trainer, Erin Strader, received a phone call in 2019 from longtime friend, Annie Goodwin, telling her she had the perfect horse for Speck, no one could have predicted just how far the partnership would go. What began as a horse to heal Speck’s heart, has evolved into a remarkable journey of resilience and partnership, with Speck and BSF Liam now preparing to make their CCI5* debut. Speck and Liam | Photo provided by Speck BSF Liam, simply known as...

Cross country day at the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian is a highlight for spectators that travel to the Bluegrass from across the nation. More than 50 athlete-and-horse combinations will gallop through the Kentucky Horse Park, tackling imposing fences, water complexes, and technical terrain in the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L. With crowds lining the lanes to watch their favorite combination soar over the famed Ditch Brush or splash into the Head of the Lake, safety, for...

Elliott Timmons and Topgun, Cathy Blackmon and Finn, Ella Graham and Lil, Amanda Burriel and Shamrock. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Lexington, Ky. – While eventing competition heats up in the Rolex stadium at the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian TM , there’s even more for horse fans to see just down the hill at the Chewy Demonstration & Exhibitions Ring. Over the years, the demo ring has featured countless breeds, disciplines, and other...

US Equestrian Chief Executive Officer Bill Moroney talks during the Board of Directors Meeting during the 2025 Annual Meeting. ©Zack Ryle/US Equestrian Lexington, Ky. – The USEF Board of Directors met on Saturday, January 25, during the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting in Lexington, Ky. During the meeting, the Directors heard progress reports from the past year, presentations on new and improved technologies, and made several important decisions that further the US Equestrian...

Dear USEF Members, Competition Licensees and Managers, In October 2024 we provided you with information regarding the new amendments to the Horse Protection Act (HPA or Act). This is a follow-up to that communication. Since release of the new amendments to the Act, USEF leaders have participated in Zoom meetings and webinars with the American Horse Council (AHC) and with USDA/APHIS to voice our concerns and to gain a better understanding of the upcoming implementation of the HPA changes,...

Lexington, KY – On December 2 – 3, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) hosted the 2024 National Breed and Discipline Affiliate Summit to review and discuss opportunities to work more closely together to achieve mutual goals and better understand how USEF can be a partner to their success. Educational presentations and open dialogue focused on the importance of working collaboratively to grow and protect the respective organizations, horses, and the equestrian industry....

Lexington, Ky. - On September 15, 2023, the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Equestrian Canada (EC) renewed a reciprocal agreement outlining mutual membership and participation requirements for citizens from each country. Remarks from US Equestrian CEO William “Bill” Moroney “We are pleased to work together with our colleagues and fellow equestrians north of the border in Canada. This renewed reciprocal agreement allows for both organizations to receive the necessary...

Lexington, Ky. – Three divisions got underway and another named a champion on the third day of the 2023 USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms. Competitors in the USEF Medium Green Pony Hunter National Championship and USEF Large Green Pony Hunter National Championship completed their model and under saddle phases, while the USEF Pony Jumper National Championship finished Phase I. The highlight of the day was the title being presented in the USEF Small Regular Pony Hunter National...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian would like to remind show managers and licensed officials that the Class Specifications Tool is available to assist in building judge’s cards for upcoming competitions. The tool provides the class title, judging specifications, class procedure, and USEF section code. The Class Specifications Tool is located on your licensed official's dashboard at officials.usef.org when you are logged in to your USEF.org account. Access the tool by clicking the...

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce Ryder Richardson (Parker, Colo.) as the winner of the 2022 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award in recognition of his contributions and achievements this year. The USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award identifies outstanding youth members actively involved in their respective discipline or breed organizations and acknowledges their potential as future leaders in the equine industry. The American Connemara Pony Society and United States Hunter...