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...

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...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the 2022 Horse of the Year and Equestrian of the Year nominees. The International and National Equestrians of the Year will be announced at the 2022 Pegasus Awards Dinner on Thursday, January 12, and the International and National Horses of the Year will be announced at the 2022 SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year Awards Dinner on Saturday, January 14, at the 2023 US Equestrian Annual Meeting in Lexington, Ky. Horses of Honor and...

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 release new driven dressage tests for the carriage pleasure driving discipline. Driven dressage tests are now available for Training, Preliminary, and Intermediate levels, thanks to the dedication and hard work of the USEF Carriage Pleasure Driving Rules Committee. The Federation approves dressage tests for use at USEF Licensed driving competitions. Additional information for driven dressage can be found in the Carriage Pleasure Driving chapter...

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has approved additional modifications to USEF rules in accordance with a resolution approved by the Board of Directors to address issues related to the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. A summary of the most recent modifications is listed below and the full content of each modification has been added to the comprehensive listing of modifications and appear in blue font. The full listing of rule modifications related to COVID-19 impacts can be...

Dear USEF Members and Competition Organizers (Licensees and Managers), We are all anxious for equestrian sport to start up again and for our families and friends to return to their normal lives pre-COVID-19 Pandemic. We also understand the financial pain that this is having on so many in our industry. We, too, at USEF are feeling that pain. However, we are not through this yet. The pandemic continues to cause unprecedented impact throughout the world. The Las Vegas World Cup Finals were...

Dear USEF Members, The COVID-19 Pandemic has created significant challenges the world over and USEF greatly appreciates those of you who have chosen not to compete in accordance with our statement issued on March 13, 2020 . USEF extends our thanks to you for joining us in our community-wide effort to responsibly address the COVID-19 virus outbreak. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide our members and competition organizers with updates every 10-14 days, or sooner if...

Dear USEF Members, Your health, safety and well-being and that of your horses is paramount to USEF. We are continuing to closely monitor communications on the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all USEF owned...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to introduce the 2019 Equestrians of Honor. For the first time, an International Equestrian of the Year and a National Equestrian of the Year will be named for their achievements in 2019. Winners are determined based on the results of online voting , which is now open through Thursday, January 2, 2020, at midnight. The 2019 International and National Equestrians of the Year will be awarded on January 10, 2020, during the 2019 Pegasus Awards...