Hunter Seat Equitation

Lexington, Ky. – The final day of the 2024 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall & Sterling saw equitation riders vie for top honors in the Marshall & Sterling/USEF Pony Medal Final. This prestigious class is the grand finale of Pony Finals each year and brings riders into the Kentucky Horse Park’s indoor Alltech Arena for the two-phase competition. The Medal Final started bright and early, with 174 competitors completing the first phase over Jasen Shelley’s...

Summer shows are in full swing and there’s plenty of equestrian entertainment to enjoy in-person or via livestream. The midsummer competition calendar includes showcases of the country’s best young hunter riders along with some of the most prestigious events for Arabians, Morgans, and American Saddlebreds before fall championship season begins. Plan your trip or get ready to tune in online for these exciting events. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian June 25-30, 2024 Adequan ®...

The $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* presents many of the naming and abbreviation conventions of FEI events. Photo: Taylor Pence/ISG If you are not intimately familiar with the equestrian world, the symbols and abbreviations used to designate equestrian competitions and champion horses can be confusing. Upon reading about these events, you’re met with names like the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Vilamoura CSIO3* and the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L. Additionally, when looking at...

Rob Van Jacobs explained that continuing to show makes him a better judge, and judging makes him a better exhibitor. Photo: Julia B Photography While my love for horses started around the age of six, I didn’t start riding until I was in seventh grade, which is a little later in life than most of my colleagues. I grew up in a suburb in Maryland a few miles outside Washington D.C. I've always loved horses and thought they were incredible animals, but I did not have immediate access to...

Dear Members, On April 25, 2024, US Equestrian was notified that the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park (Riding Park) was indefinitely closed to equestrian activities by the Orange County Coastkeeper (Coastkeeper). This closure was due to The Ridland Group’s (TRG) failure to comply with certain requirements and commitments made under a 2018 Consent Decree. Following efforts to verify when the Riding Park would be permitted to resume equestrian operations, US Equestrian had no alternative...

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair started as a one-day horse show and grew into the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse show in the U.S. This historic event takes place in Devon, Pa. and 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. 1. The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is celebrating its 128th anniversary. The first edition of Devon took...

Thermal, Calif. – A strong contingent of 44 junior competitors at the National Sunshine Series II contested the 2023 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West. Maggie Dumrauf (Del Mar, Calif.) demonstrated her equitation skills in front of the judges across three phases of competition to clinch the title. Maggie Dumrauf and Cover Girl (High Desert Sport Photo) “It is insane, especially to be here at the Desert Horse Park,” Dumrauf said of the win. “It feels...

Show season may be winding down, but there’s still a lot of exciting equestrian activity yet to come. The final months of the year bring top competition for Andalusians/Lusitanos, saddle seat equitation, dressage, hunters, and jumpers. ©Howard Schatzberg Photo November 10 & 11 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Finals Kansas City, Mo. New for 2023, the medal finals for juniors and adult amateurs will be held at the same competition—the UPHA American Royal National Championship. The...

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...

Harrisburg, Pa. – A total of 35 junior competitors took to the Keystone Arena at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show for the 2023 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – East. Maggie King (Spring, Texas) collected top honors after impressing the judges across three phases of competition. “It feels very good,” King said of being champion. “I’m super happy with my horse, and all of the horses I got to ride were great, so it was awesome. Maggie King and...

Harrisburg, Pa. – The United States Equestrian Federation/National Collegiate Equestrian Association Junior Hunter Seat Medal Finals kick off on Sunday, October 22, with the East Coast competition at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, Pa. The West Coast competition will be held on November 11 at the National Sunshine Series II in Thermal, Calif. The USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat medal Finals kick off on Sunday, October 22, with the East Coast competition at the...

Numerous junior athletes and their mounts entered the ring at the 2023 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, but one horse’s name may ring a bell from over the years—Any Given Sunday. “Sunny” is a seasoned pro when it comes to equitation finals, and both he and people passing by don’t know that he is 20 years old. Any Given Sunday and Abigail Gordon compete in the 2023 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final. (Avery Wallace/US Equestrian) Despite his...