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Equestrian Weekly Articles

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.

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U.S. Eventing Athletes Earned Experience and Success at the 2024 FEI WBFSH Eventing World Championships for Young Horses

by Leslie Potter | November 12, 2024

To get a glimpse at the future of eventing, look toward Le Lion d’Angers, France, each October. The FEI World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) Eventing World Championship for Young Horses was established in 2000 to spotlight the connection between good breeding and achievement in the sport. Qualified entries at the CCI2* level for 6-year-old horses and CCI3* for 7-year-old horses represent their countries and provide a preview of the next generation of high-performance equine

“Having a Goal Like Running Against Horses Gave Me Hope”

by Debbie Elliot | November 7, 2024

The 2023 Ride Like the Wind 50-mile endurance ride in Big Hill Lake, Kan., had one very unique competitor – Nicole Teeny, a runner on two legs competing against a field of horses. When long-distance runner Teeny was diagnosed with epilepsy in October 2018 following two severe seizures, she thought her running career was over. Having lost the freedom to run on her own, drive a car, take a bath, or even use sharp knives in case another seizure hit, Teeny needed to find a way to take back

The Horseman’s Tale Portrays a Veteran’s Journey from PTSD to the Healing Power of Horses

by Debbie Elliot | November 6, 2024

The healing and therapeutic effect of horses is an ongoing theme of the new book The Horseman’s Tale , in which Vietnam veteran Jake Montgomery uses journaling therapy - and his passion for horses – to ease the trauma of his PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Equels with his horse, Hidalgo de Luna; photo courtesy of Stunning Steeds The novel is written by lifelong equestrian Tom Equels of Ocala, Fla., who is himself a Vietnam veteran having served in the Army as a helicopter

Trick or Treat!

by Allyson Mattingly | October 29, 2024

Loading up on candy is (most) people’s favorite part of Halloween and our animals deserve to be treated, too. Fall, and Halloween in particular, is the perfect time to spoil your horses with sweet treats like apples, pumpkin, and a variety of other healthy, delicious, animal-safe fruits and veggies. Sure, you can head to the store and buy pre-made treats, but making treats with your own hands provides a sense of accomplishment, the ability to customize your recipes, and most of all, the

Coach’s Corner: How to Become a Coach of Coaches

by David O'Connor | October 28, 2024

The USEF has embarked on a program to make coaching support available through several programs including participation in the United States Center for Coaching Excellence (USCCE) programs. This is a new look at the concept of coaching athletes through their youth, amateur or professional career. One of the ideas explored from the beginning is the idea of a coach developer or a “coach of coaches.” Do we have the ability for coaches to expand their knowledge commensurate with other

Community Outreach Organization Spotlight: Detroit Horse Power

by US Equestrian Staff | October 22, 2024

Detroit Horse Power, a USEF Community Outreach Organization located in Detroit, Michigan, has cultivated a partnership with Horses for Mental Health, a USEF Opportunity Supporter to further the message that horses can help humans strengthen their mental health. Detroit Horse Power participated in Horses for Mental Health’s Seen Through Horses campaign, a nationwide campaign that aims to gather support for nonprofit organizations who incorporate horses for their mental health treatment.

'Riding is the Water to Put Out the Fire of Our ADHD'

by Debbie Elliot | October 7, 2024

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about ADHD and is not a substitute for medical advice. For diagnosis, treatment or medical concerns, consult a qualified health care provider. Always seek professional guidance before making any healthcare decisions. For brothers Julian and Cameron Harrison , riding is their life. They own three horses between them, will happily spend five hours a day at the barn, and both want to become equine veterinarians when they are older. However,

FAQ: USEF Eventing National Championship League and US Equestrian Eventing Open

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | October 1, 2024

In fall of 2024, US Equestrian announced two exciting new competitions for eventing athletes: The USEF Eventing National Championship League and the US Equestrian Eventing Open . Both programs will officially launch at the 2024 Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials in Leesburg, Va., in October and their inaugural finals will take place at the same event in 2025. However, they are distinct events with different specifications. The Frequently Asked Questions listed below are intended

Five Things to Know about the USEF Interscholastic Athlete Program

by US Equestrian Staff | September 24, 2024

Photo: Avery Wallace/US Equestrian US Equestrian’s vision is to bring the joy of horses to as many people as possible. One population that is quickly growing in the horse world is the school-aged equestrian population. With this growth in mind, let’s take a few moments to look at US Equestrian’s Interscholastic Athlete Program. The Interscholastic Athlete Program is for equestrians in grades 5-12. The Interscholastic Athlete Program is specifically designed for middle and

Alice Tarjan - I Am US Equestrian

by Alice Tarjan | September 23, 2024

I grew up riding in New Jersey and continued eventing while at college, before going on to law school, where I did fox hunting. I always knew I wanted to do dressage, but I was very career oriented, so I decided that it was time to get serious and get a real job. I took the bar and shortly afterwards, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma [at age 27]. Alice Tarjan. ©Devyn Trethewey/US Equestrian Cancer treatment started in August, and I continued to ride through September and a tiny

Introducing the Equestrian-Specific Return to Sport Concussion Strategy

by Debbie Elliot | September 16, 2024

The US Equestrian Federation has developed a Return to Sport Concussion Strategy for equestrians who have suffered from a concussion (or apparent concussion) to offer best practices for resuming riding and equestrian-related activities. Please note, these strategies are recommendations only and are not intended to provide or replace advice from a person’s own medical provider. Individual decisions regarding return of an injured person to practice and competition will depend on the

Returning to Riding After an Injury

by Debbie Elliot | September 16, 2024

The desire to “get back in the saddle” after a fall is innately ingrained in equestrians. While we all want to return to riding as quickly as possible after a fall or accident, often taking it slowly is the fastest way to recover to 100%. In addition, following US Equestrian safety guidelines and wearing recommended safety equipment can either reduce the risk, or lessen the severity, of an accident. It is essential that every equestrian follows their medical provider’s advice