Hunter Seat Equitation

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the results of the first Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant Competition of the 2023 season and to welcome eligible pony exhibitors to sign up for an upcoming competition in their USHJA Zone. ©Kathleen Landwehr/US Equestrian The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant program was created in 2002 by the friends and family of the late Emerson Burr to promote and perpetuate proper horsemanship skills and values within equestrian youth. The...

In September 2022, USEF appointed a Hunter and Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation Judges Task Force charged with evaluating, analyzing, and improving the current hunter and equitation judging system. With ever-present video, streaming, and social media input, the adjudication process is under constant scrutiny and criticism. While any subjectively judged sport endures some level of criticism from those who disagree with a judge’s or judging panels’ decisions, USEF acknowledged the...

Lexington, Ky. – It is with our deepest sympathy the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces that Hannah Serfass suffered a fatal accident yesterday, April 30, while competing at the Fox Lea Farm Spring Concours I in Venice, Fla. Hannah, 15, was riding Quaxx 2, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, in an equitation class when the horse tripped and suffered a rotational fall. The fall was unrelated to a jumping effort. The EMT responded immediately, and Hannah was transported to...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the dates and locations of the 2023 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant competitions. This program is open to junior riders competing in pony hunter and jumper classes. This year, 10 horse shows across the country will host zone-level competitions, which consist of a written test on horsemanship knowledge. The national test will take place at USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms in August. 2021 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant...

Lexington, Ky.— In response to a request from members of the hunter seat equitation community, which is supported by the USEF National Hunter Committee and USHJA, effective immediately the state of Rhode Island has been moved from Group 5 to Group 4 in the 2023 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final qualification state point chart. This reduces the number of points that a resident of Rhode Island must obtain to qualify to compete in the Final from 50 to 41 points. Learn more about...

Individuality is key in hunt seat equitation trainer Missy Clark and John Brennan’s program at North Run located in Warren, Vt. Rider Luke Jensen has been the shining example of this with his successful last season as a junior aboard Jamaica, a horse who required patience and dedication. This fall, after patiently developing their relationship, Luke and Jamaica took the champion title at the 2022 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final and were reserve champions at the 2022 Platinum...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Junior Equestrian of the Year Award to be presented at the 2023 US Equestrian Annual Meeting. The late Hope Hand is the winner of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award, while Skylar Wireman is the 2022 Junior Equestrian of the Year. Hand and Wireman will be recognized at the Pegasus Awards Dinner on Thursday, January 12. Lifetime Achievement Award – Hope Hand The late Hope...

Thermal, Calif. - The last of three USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Finals of 2022 took place on November 12 at National Sunshine Series II with 35 junior equestrians competing in a unique three-phase final. Ella Dyson emerged victorious with Cetello in the USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West with consistent performances and impressive scores. “It feels so surreal, and so exciting,” Dyson said of her champion title. “I am so honored to have won and...

Harrisburg, Pa. – The historic Pennsylvania National Horse Show hosted 31 up-and-coming hunter seat equitation competitors last weekend for the 2022 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – East. Schuyler Dayner (Odessa, Fla.) earned the win, impressing the judges across three phases of competition. Schuyler Dayner and Joske Van De Knuffel. ©Andrew Ryback Photography The USEF/NCEA Finals consist of an initial jumping round with fences set at 3’3”, and from there,...

Growing equestrian sport involves providing a variety of opportunities for competitors to enjoy the sport, develop their skills and those of their equine partners, and measure progress. After many months of webinars, feedback from members, and meetings with stakeholder groups, the USEF Competition Task Force proposed amendments to the hunter/jumper competition structure. These amendments were approved by the USEF Board of Directors and are in effect for the 2023 competition year. Read our...

Harrisburg, Pa. – The first rides of this year’s Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final took place before the sun had even risen over the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. With 231 of the country’s best hunter seat equitation competitors to go in the first round, there was plenty to get through during the day. Luke Jensen and Jamaica. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian After the vast first round followed by the top 25 entries returning for the second round, the judges...

Gladstone, N.J. – The final standings for the 2022 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East came down to the influential final round, where the top four competitors returned for the ride-off. In the end, it was Augusta Iwasaki who rode her way into the top spot, masterfully guiding her own horse—and the other three horses in the final four—through the Round IV test. Augusta Iwasaki and Freedom. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Iwasaki...