Andrea Pianka started riding horses when she was seven years old, starting at a hunter/jumper barn and later competing in saddle seat equitation. However, she transitioned to carriage pleasure driving after becoming quadriplegic in a car accident when she was 18. “I’ve always liked driving, and then when I got injured, I started learning about adaptive driving with a carriage and it opened up a whole new world,” Pianka said. “I was very happy to know that I could still...

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. - In 2022, a scholarship opportunity was introduced for the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final . Sally Jackson and Stephens College are proud to bring back the $20,000 scholarship to the 2023 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final. The scholarship was created to support students who are committed to continuing their involvement with the American Saddlebred and/or equine studies. The scholarship awards $20,000 to be used towards educational expenses at Stephens College. $20,000 in Stephens...

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair's history dates back to 1896. (Taylor Pence/US Equestrian) The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse show in the U.S. It is a historic event in Devon, Pa., that draws equestrians from across the country and local fans alike to enjoy all that it has to offer. Here are five reasons to follow the excitement of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair from May 25-June 4. 1. The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair...

This week, USEF Network viewers can tune in to the livestream from the Big D Charity Horse Show in Fort Worth, Texas. The show features exciting classes for American Saddlebreds , Morgans , and other breeds in saddle seat , driving, equitation, roadster , and pleasure classes. Big D is a longstanding tradition in the region, tracing its beginnings to 1971. In addition to being a favorite early season stop on the show circuit for many exhibitors, Big D has had a philanthropic mission since its...

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...

Summer is winding down, but some of the most exciting competitions of the 2022 horse show season are still ahead. Mark your calendar for these USEF affiliate national championships coming up this fall. Many of these events will be broadcast on USEF Network. Arabian & Half-Arabian Sport Horse National Championship Horse Show Sept. 12-17 Wilmington, Ohio Arabian, Half-Arabian, and Anglo-Arabian horses compete in a full slate of sport divisions, including carriage driving, dressage, Western...

Ninety-five percent of Charles Owen helmets meet all three of the main international equestrian safety standards. Photo: Charles Owen Charles Owen has long been a name synonymous with safety and research in the equestrian industry. In 2021, the riding helmet manufacturer investigated mental health in riders for the first time in its history. The landmark study, conducted by University of Brighton MSc student Charlotte Ricca, involved over a thousand riders. “We were amazed by the amount...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship , which provides five $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors committed to continuing their involvement in equestrian sport while in college. Applicants must be active US Equestrian competing members or subscribers preparing to enter any college or university full-time in fall 2022. The scholarship is open to all 28 recognized breeds and...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce Rebecca Share (Potomac, Md.) as the winner of the 2021 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award in recognition of her 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 Vaulting Association (AVA) nominated Share, who...

Aurora, Colo. – The Arabian Horse Association’s United States Arabian and Half-Arabian National Championship Horse Show (U.S. Nationals) is returning to Tulsa, Okla., from October 22-30, 2021, for another great year of competition! Returning to Tulsa for its 55 th year, U.S. Nationals will host exhibitors and horses from all over North America, competing in classes like country English pleasure, reined cow horse, hunter pleasure, and even halter. With almost 2,000 horses slated to...

Oklahoma City, Okla. – The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is eager to welcome participants to the 2021 Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show ® this weekend. The 48 th annual Grand National competition is shaping up to be another outstanding event as the country’s finest Morgan horses meet in Oklahoma City, Okla., from October 9-16. Since 1973, this show has represented the pinnacle of achievement in the Morgan horse world. Longtime show manager Matt...