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Equestrian Weekly

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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Letters and Stars: Breaking Down Competition/Horse Designations

by Emily Girard | Jun 11, 2024, 10:26 AM EST

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...

“I Have Found My Community” – I Am US Equestrian with Rob Van Jacobs

by Rob Van Jacobs | May 28, 2024, 12:45 PM EST

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...

Five Reasons to Watch the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair 2024

by US Equestrian Communications Department | May 17, 2024, 10:37 AM EST

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...

Horses Bring Together Mother and Son

by US Equestrian Communications Department | May 14, 2024, 4:00 PM EST

It is not uncommon for US Equestrian to receive stories from our members talking about the power horses have. We all know that these beautiful animals can do so much, both in the field of play and outside of the competition ring. We love receiving those stories (and encourage you to keep sending them in). On a recent trip to Promise Landing Farm in Marlboro, Maryland, we had the opportunity to meet Hayden and Kim Haines. This mother and son pair brought to life the true connective power of...

Tack Trunk Must-Haves

by Emily Girard | May 7, 2024, 11:07 AM EST

Whether they are riding, grooming, or training, most people involved with equestrian sports take a tack trunk to events. The supplies in these trunks can vary, but all trunks contain the necessary equipment for horses and equestrians to perform at their best. Rafael Hernandez Carrillo leads Clarc at the 2023 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival Week 3 CPEDI3*. Photo: Taylor Pence/ISG “All the items I'm bringing in my grooming box are a highlight,” said Rafael Hernandez...

“Just Go with the Flow”: Balancing Jumping, Driving, and School

by Emily Girard | May 7, 2024, 9:13 AM EST

Isabelle Welch competes in both hunter/jumper and driving competitions, with family connections in dressage and jumping. Photo: Andrew Ryback Photography Competing in both driving and hunter / jumper classes, Isabelle Welch has learned to refine her mentality and develop skills that benefit both disciplines. Isabelle grew up with horses all her life. Her mother, Karen Welch, competes in dressage and jumping, and introduced Isabelle to horses at a very young age. Isabelle started in the hunters...

Miniature Horse Alongside Miniature Cars

by Emily Girard | Apr 27, 2024, 5:59 PM EST

Pixie visiting the Defender Kids Drive on Friday, April 26th. (Emily Girard/US Equestrian) Lexington, Ky. - There were a lot of activities occurring outside the competition ring during the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™. One area that saw a lot of traffic was the Defender Kids Drive, which featured not only miniature Defenders for kids to drive, but for a few hours on Friday and Saturday, a miniature horse! Pixie, a 13-year-old American Miniature Horse...

Opening The Door to the Future: Volunteers Help 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event to Succeed

by Emily Girard | Apr 25, 2024, 3:04 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. - Much like the children who retrieve tennis balls at Wimbledon, the youth volunteers at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE) are essential to the dressage competition running smoothly. Youth volunteers at the Kentucky Three-Day Event often learn skills that benefit their own riding careers. Photo: Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian Assistant Dressage Arena Steward Emily Watson oversees the youth volunteers at the event. “The hardest...

Focusing on Kentucky and Looking Ahead to Paris 2024 Olympic Games

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | Apr 24, 2024, 3:00 PM EST

In addition to being a world-class event and host of a USEF National Championship, the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ (K3DE) CCI5*-L serves as one of the final selection trials for the U.S. Eventing Team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Many notable combinations vying for a spot on the team are competing in either the CCI5*-L or CCI4*-S as they set their sights on the summer ahead. US Equestrian chatted with U.S. Eventing Technical Advisor and Chef...

Things to See at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ Trade Fair

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Apr 23, 2024, 9:48 AM EST

The 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ is almost here! In addition to the world-class competition of the CCI5*-L and CCI4*-S divisions and the Kentucky CSI4* Invitational Grand Prix presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, there are numerous shopping, food, and unique experiences to make it #TheBestWeekendAllYear. Here are some of the Sponsor Village & Courtyard , The Hill , and Trade Fair highlights to add to your K3DE itinerary. Defender...