Western Seat / Reining Seat Eq

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce the release of the USEF Western Dressage Seat Medal Final pattern booklet. The 2026 USEF Western Dressage Seat Medal Final will be hosted at the WDAA World Championship Show in Guthrie, Okla., on September 15, 2026. Established in 2025, the USEF Western Dressage Seat Medal program spotlights the growing discipline of Western Dressage and celebrates the correct training and equitation that goes into a successful partnership. The final is...

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...

Championship season is upon us, and some of the largest and most prestigious regional and national shows for national breeds and disciplines will take place this month. Tune in to the livestreams or attend in person to cheer on your favorite horses this September. September 9-14, 2024 AHA Sport Horse Nationals Wilmington, Ohio Arabians and Half-Arabian sport horses return to the World Equestrian Center in Ohio to compete for national champion titles in disciplines including hunters, jumpers,...

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 ®...

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...

Since the 1980s, the Western division has seen many changes in competition and community. Some of these changes have been more logistical, such as the addition of new sections and classes, and changing competition locations. Michael Damianos, a professional horse trainer and USEF-licensed ‘R’ Arabian, Western, and Reining judge, has been involved in the equestrian world for over 50 years. He explained that the center of the Western showing community has moved east over the years....

When most people think of Western riding , they picture ranch riding; however, upon a closer look, this discipline is a lot more versatile than one may think. The Western discipline offers diverse opportunities that cater to a variety of breeds and riding styles. Arkansas equestrian Carol Jones, for example, has been riding and training in the Western discipline for over 30 years, and she is experienced in color breeds, stock horses, and quarter horses. “With the Western discipline in...

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...

From reining to dressage to equitation, the Western category encompasses multiple disciplines that are open to all. Photo: Courtesy of the Arabian Horse Association The Western category encompasses a wide variety of disciplines, including reining, trail, ranch, equitation, and Western dressage, all of which have lesson programs at barns across the country. “The lesson programs are such an important part of all of our breeds and all of our industries, because it's the way we're...

US Equestrian invites competition managers to add Western Equitation Medal and Ranch classes to their prize lists for 2023. These Western classes are rapidly growing in popularity, and because both the Western Equitation Medal and the Ranch divisions are open to all breeds, they provide an opportunity to reach a wider pool of exhibitors for your show. Competition managers to add Western Equitation Medal and Ranch classes to their 2023 prize lists. (Ashley Swift/US Equestrian) Western Equitation...

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 has launched a new USEF Western Equitation Medal program for junior and adult amateur exhibitors, and we invite competition organizers to add these classes to their competitions in 2023. US Equestrian is eager to expand this new program and grow competition opportunities for Western/reining seat equitation riders of all ages and look forward to working with you in this endeavor. How USEF Western Equitation Medal Classes Work Riders participating in a USEF Western...