The all new Equestrian Weekly newsletter showcases the best of US Equestrian, including new Learning Center videos, the USEF Network schedule, and original articles. Equestrian Weekly keeps members informed about affiliate news, international competitions, information on rule changes, membership updates, special member offers, and more.

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Paso Finos Keep This 80-Year-Old Amateur Rider in the Competition Ring

by Ashley Swift | Sep 22, 2020, 6:31 PM EST

Dick Miller, the Paso Fino Horse Association’s newest Hall of Fame inductee, was first introduced to the Paso Fino breed in the 1980s when he saw a sign on Interstate 80 in Nebraska advertising the “SMOOTHEST RIDING HORSE IN THE WORLD.” Nearly 40 years later, Miller (Fort Myers, Fla.) is not only still riding, but is also competing at top horse shows around the country, thanks to these unique horses and the tight-knit community of people who love them. Though he grew up riding...

Hoof Help: Thrush

by Glenye Cain Oakford | Sep 21, 2020, 1:00 PM EST

It’s a scenario every horse owner dreads: a runny, black, foul-smelling discharge around the frog area of a horse or pony’s hoof sole. That’s the classic sign of thrush, a bacterial infection that involves the frog, including the grooves on either side of it and the cleft between the heel bulbs. “It can affect any part of the frog, but that’s where we see it the most, right where the owner would be using the hoof pick along the sides of the frog and along that...

Talent Search Finals Champion Perspectives with Emma Reichow and Ellie Ferrigno

by Kathleen Landwehr | Sep 17, 2020, 11:30 AM EST

The Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals serve as an excellent stepping stone for junior athletes looking to further their riding careers. The 2019 Finals champions learned much from their experiences and feel they are better prepared to reach their goals. Emma Reichow and Ellie Ferrigno topped the West and East leaderboards, respectively, and shared a look back at the 2019 Finals. 2019 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-West with Emma Reichow...

Maplewood Warmbloods Delivers Quality U.S.-Bred Horses at 2020 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions and Beyond

by Kathleen Landwehr | Sep 1, 2020, 3:01 PM EST

Maplewood Warmbloods' horses had top results at the 2020 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, such as MW Ave Maria (right with Lindsey Holleger) (Taylor Pence/US Equestrian) Many of the country’s top U.S. dressage horse breeders set their sights on the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions each year. The Markel/USEF Young Horse and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships held at Festival provide an excellent opportunity to showcase horses who are carefully produced to be...

Behind the Lens with the Schatzbergs

by Ashley Swift | Aug 24, 2020, 2:08 PM EST

Three generations of Schatzberg family photographers (left to right): Casey McBride. Jack Schatzberg, and Howie Schatzberg. photo: Courtesy of the Schatzberg Family Photography is more popular than ever, with numerous photo sharing and editing apps just a tap away on our phones. But for photographer Howie Schatzberg and his nephew, fellow photographer Casey McBride, professional horse show photography is a family tradition. Howie and Casey grew up in the business learning from the late Jack...

Lily of Chincoteague Provides a Splash of Color at 2020 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

by Kathleen Landwehr | Aug 22, 2020, 8:17 PM EST

Lots of cute ponies have been on display at the 2020 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. Lily of Chincoteague is an eye-catching 16-year-old Welsh Chincoteague Pony cross mare, and she has an interesting story to match her lovely pinto color. Paydan McLaughlin pats Lily of Chincoteague after their test (Tayler Bicandi/US Equestrian) Fifteen-year-old Paydan McLaughlin of Greenfield, Rhode Island, found an excellent partner in Lily of Chincoteague, known as Lil or Squish in the barn. Paydan has...

Catching Up with the 2019 Pan American Games U.S. Dressage Team

by Kathleen Landwehr | Aug 21, 2020, 6:56 PM EST

It has been one year since the U.S. Dressage Team won the team silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Three of the four individuals named to the team are competing at the 2020 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions: Nora Batchelder, Sarah Lockman, and Endel Ots. US Equestrian asked them to take a look back at the Pan American Games and share how those experiences have affected their plans for the future. Sarah Lockman Sarah Lockman and First Apple at the 2019 Pan American Games...

Adaptable Skills from Hunter, Jumper, and Reining Disciplines Pay Off for Carlee McCutcheon

by Kathleen Landwehr | Aug 18, 2020, 11:05 AM EST

Fourteen-year-old Carlee McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas, has had a string of impressive results in hunter and jumper classes as well as in reining. She comes from a family of champion equestrians: her parents, Tom and Mandy, brother Cade, and grandfather Tim McQuay all have won multiple FEI World Equestrian Games™ medals in reining, and McCutcheon is building a notable resume all her own. Carlee McCutcheon and MTM Unexpected compete in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the 2020...

From Therapeutic Riding to Para-Dressage Sport

by Glenye Cain Oakford | Aug 11, 2020, 3:26 PM EST

Bryanna Tanase has had a passion for horses since early childhood. Now 22, she made her first contact with horses in a therapeutic riding program in 2016 and decided three years later to make the challenging transition to the sport of para-dressage. In early 2020, she received her National Classification as a Grade I rider, which is the first step toward competition. She currently is based at Quantum Leap Farm in Odessa, Fla. We caught up with her to find out how she got involved in horses,...

All About Jumps: Q & A with Javan Dalman

by Glenye Cain Oakford | Jul 28, 2020, 10:27 AM EST

Javan Dalman with one of his creations. Photo: Kaitlyn Karsson Javan Dalman doesn’t just leap the obstacles in the jumper ring; he builds them, too. Dalman, a competitor in the low amateur jumpers, also is the founder of Dalman Jump Co., whose eye-catching designs can be found in show rings and equestrian facilities around the country. We caught up with him to find out more about caring for jumps so they last longer, new design and safety trends, and the process behind the company’s...