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The U.S. Center for SafeSport will update their SafeSport training courses on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Those who are in the process of completing a course need to complete it by Tuesday, March 24 to avoid having to restart from the beginning.
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Here you can find our archive of stories from Equestrian Weekly, our once-a-week look at affiliate news, international competition, amateur profiles, horse care tips, and more. You’ll also find stories from the USEF Insider, a twice-monthly email newsletter packed with features about USEF people and programs, including our drugs and medications program, regulations, and competitions departments.

Both newsletters are free to USEF members (including fans). Make sure you’re receiving both by checking your email preferences in your My USEF Dashboard.

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A Horse That Lives Up to His Name: Meet Gold Play

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Mar 22, 2026, 12:43 PM EST

When Jordan LaPlaca traveled to Hagen, Germany, to shop for a Grand Prix prospect at Hof Kasselmann, Gold Play wasn't even on the roster. Younger than LaPlaca had in mind, the bay gelding was pulled out almost as an afterthought at the very end of the visit. The fateful day Jordan met GP in Hagen, Germany at Hof Kasselmann. Pictured with German dressage athlete, Frederic Wandres. (Courtesy of Jordan LaPlaca) It took about thirty seconds in the saddle to change everything. "It was like...

USEF Mythbusters: Microchips Are For Biosecurity, Not Pedigree Verification

by Natalie Voss | Mar 20, 2026, 8:00 AM EST

As we near the implementation date of the US Equestrian rule requiring microchips to be on file for all horses participating in endorsed competitions, you may be hearing continued buzz about why the USEF board passed this rule back in 2023. Earlier this year, a presidential modification delayed implementation of this rule from Dec. 1, 2025 to Dec. 1, 2026. (If you are one of many members who got your horse’s microchip implanted and on their record last year, we thank you for your...

Clarity, Obedience, Care, Loyalty: A Few of the Ingredients To Successful Governance

by Danielle Henson | Mar 18, 2026, 11:00 AM EST

From the outside, it can be hard to know how governing bodies like US Equestrian should (and shouldn’t) function internally and externally. In a presentation at the 2026 USEF Annual meeting, Dr. David Patterson, Senior Governance Advisor at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) offered a thoughtful and practical framework for effective governance, grounded in shared values, clear roles, and principled leadership. At its core, the discussion emphasized that sport (and...

US Equestrian and Safe Sport: Who, What, and Why

by Natalie Voss | Mar 18, 2026, 9:00 AM EST

If you compete in US Equestrian-sanctioned events, you receive a prompt each year to complete a refresher of Safe Sport training – but do you know how this program came about, or what happens if someone violates one of the policies? First of all, it’s important to know that Safe Sport is a global initiative to promote an abuse and harassment free culture in sport, and is not limited to equestrian sports. In the mid-2010s, a number of USA Olympic sports faced crises as whistleblowers...

Balancing Books and Horses: How Eventer Mya Poulos Rode Her Way to the 2025 YETI/USEF CCI2* Eventing Amateur National Championship

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Mar 15, 2026, 5:27 PM EST

(©Shannon Brinkman) Mya Poulos spent the 2025 season doing what she does every year: mapping out her competition schedule, trusting her horses and her plan, and putting in the work. Throughout last year’s season, she logged a remarkable 17 runs with three of her top horses at the CCI2* level which was more than any other competitor in the USEF National Championships League and emerged as the YETI/USEF CCI2* Eventing Amateur National Champion. What makes the accomplishment even more...

Why What You Eat Impacts How You Ride

by Debbie Elliot | Mar 13, 2026, 11:22 AM EST

We all know that a balanced diet with essential nutrients will improve your horse’s performance but often overlook the impact of nutrition on our own performance and mindset. We have all heard the famous quote, “You are what you eat,” and what we consume truly impacts how we look, feel, and think, as well as our stress management, energy levels, and immune system. Not only does the right diet make us healthier and happy overall — it also makes us better equestrians....

‘Full Send’: After Years of Carrying Everything, She Found a Horse Who Gave Her Clarity

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Mar 12, 2026, 9:58 AM EST

"Little Orchid" and Justin showing at Ledges in the late 90s. At 10 a.m. sharp, Orchid Bertelsen was ready. Forms filled out. Credit card saved. Filters pre-selected. Cursor hovering. “It’s literally like trying to get Taylor Swift tickets,” she said, laughing. The mission? Summer camp registration. “In previous years, it was fully booked by 10:03,” she explained. “So, the night before, I needed to make sure everything was filled out. I needed to make sure my...

Horse Suspensions Included in New Penalty Guidelines for Drugs & Medications Cases

by Natalie Voss | Mar 5, 2026, 4:00 PM EST

In February, the USEF Board adopted new penalty guidelines for drugs and medications cases, which will guide both informal resolutions and cases before the Hearing Committee. You can find a link to the full guidelines here . The updated guidelines were designed with three goals in mind: Enhance member awareness of the process and promote understanding of what to expect if they are notified of a positive finding. Better reflect how penalties for certain substances are currently treated....

Hollywood’s Oscar-Nominated and Winning Equestrians

by Debbie Elliot | Mar 5, 2026, 8:00 AM EST

On Sunday, March 15, Hollywood’s elite will gather at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 98th Academy Awards. While movie stars and filmmakers wear their finest designer dresses and custom suits on Oscar night, many of them are more comfortable in riding clothes in real-life as they indulge their passion for horses. As the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honors the best films and performances of the past year, we are celebrating former Oscar nominees and winners who are...

What Can Equestrians Learn From Olympic Runners? It’s All About Technology

by Debbie Elliot | Mar 4, 2026, 5:30 PM EST

What if you could see what a dressage judge sees when they watch your test? Or ask your phone to tell you whether you’re unwittingly leaning in your saddle? It may sound futuristic, but those tools are now a reality. With the advancement of AI diagnostics and analysis, technology is increasingly impacting all areas of our lives, from telehealth and remote learning to global communication. USEF is committed to utilizing the latest technology to improve competition outcomes, and to minimize...