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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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Reflections on Pratoni from the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Grooms

by US Equestrian Communications Department | October 3, 2022

When the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team won the silver medal at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, it was the result of countless hours of preparation and dedication from not just the athletes, but each of their skilled support teams. The grooms for the championship horses are with them every step of the way—from early morning feedings at home to boarding the planes to travel overseas and all the way to the podium. We asked the U.S. Eventing Squad's

David Taylor’s Journey to Become USEF Course Designer

by David Taylor, USEF ‘R’ Eventing Cross-Country Course Designer | October 3, 2022

As I sit here in Ocala, Fla., in late summer, looking back on the most recent cross-country tracks that I’ve had the honor to design, I can’t help but reflect on my journey to this point. I have traveled thousands of miles across the country, spending hundreds of hours being a bona fide part of the great sport of eventing as a USEF Licensed Official. I’ve met countless organizers, facility/farm support staff, volunteers, course builders as well as riders and their faithful

19 Licensed Official Applicants Receive New USEF Grants

by US Equestrian Communications | September 22, 2022

The USEF has announced grants totaling $11,700 for 19 licensed official applicants as part of a new program to support the development both of new licensed officials and of higher-level officials. USEF launched the grant program in June to reduce financial barriers for USEF or U.S. Fédération Équestre Internationale officials to complete application requirements related to a new license application or a license promotion by offsetting travel and clinic or apprenticeship

Spinal Cord Injury: Safety, Support and Community

by US Equestrian Communications Department | September 20, 2022

Jeff Papows, US Equestrian amateur jumper rider, President of the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, former Marine and accomplished CEO, has made it his mission to raise awareness for spinal cord safety and to spearhead fundraising efforts for riders who have sustained spinal cord injuries. When his dear friend and celebrated Irish Grand Prix rider Kevin Babington experienced a tragic accident and complete spinal cord injury in 2019, Jeff stepped up and founded the Kevin Babington Foundation (KBF)

Virginia Tech Helmet Lab: Redefining the Helmet Safety Landscape By Quantifying Concussion Risks

by Catie Staszak | September 19, 2022

PAS, VG1, ASTM, SEI, EN1384. These abbreviations represent just a few of the helmet standards tested worldwide. The more certifications, the greater the variety of situations in which a helmet has been tested, so theoretically, the more certifications, the safer the helmet. But that only tells part of the story. “With the same impact, there can be very different biomechanical responses between helmets. We felt a responsibility that everyone should have this information,” said Dr.

Helmet Safety for Mental Health

by Charles Owen Communications | September 6, 2022

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

Zone 2, 7, 8 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant Tests Close Out Season

by Samantha Robinson | September 2, 2022

The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant Test will be conducted at three remaining United States Hunter Jumper Association Zone competitions for the 2022 competition year. Zones, 2, 7, and 8 will host the testing in September and October. Junior riders competing in pony classes are eligible to participate in this program. Participants are divided into four age groups: eight and under, nine to 11, 12-14, and 15-17. Each participant will take a short, written multiple-choice test on horsemanship,

Erin Nichols Scores Major Dressage Results While Staying Competitive in the Jumper Ring

by Kathleen Landwehr | August 16, 2022

Erin Nichols and Handsome Rob AR compete at Internationaux de Dressage de Compiègne in Compiègne, France. (Libby Law Photography) Nineteen-year-old Erin Nichols of Yorba Linda, Calif., has achieved impressive results in the dressage ring. She and Handsome Rob AR were FEI North American Youth Championships team gold medalists in 2021, and they are coming off individual and freestyle gold medals and a team silver medal at the 2022 edition of NAYC. Earlier this year, the pair was

Perrigo’s CPEDI Sponsorship Reflects Vision of Making Lives Better

by Glenye Cain Oakford | August 3, 2022

When Perrigo signed on last year as title sponsor of all U.S. CPEDI para dressage competitions, the company was inspired in part by CEO Murray Kessler’s longstanding interest in promoting the sport of para dressage. But the sponsorship also was in service to Perrigo’s larger commitment through the Valuable 500 initiative to make meaningful progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Dr. Grainne Quinn is Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Perrigo and also

In-Gate Tips with Tom Carlson

by Kathleen Landwehr | August 2, 2022

In-gates at horse shows are busy locations, which is especially at Pony Finals with hundreds of kids, ponies, trainers, grooms, family members, and friends. Tom "Tom Tom" Carlson, an ‘R’ hunter course designer and in-gate worker from Hernando, Fla., is a familiar face at the in-gate at Pony Finals and other horse shows along the East Coast. He offered a few tips to keep in mind at the in-gate and what it’s like to be a course designer. Tom "Tom Tom" Carlson (left) recommends

American Regent Animal Health: Supporting Athletes from the Fetlocks Up

by US Equestrian Communications | July 26, 2022

With the World Championships right around the corner in August, the United States’ elite para dressage riders gathered recently for the Adequan ® U.S. Para Dressage Symposium in Mill Spring, N.C. The symposium followed the Perrigo Tryon Summer Dressage CPEDI3* and was just one of many events that American Regent Animal Health, maker of Adequan ® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan), sponsors in support of equestrian and equine athletes. We took the opportunity to talk to two

Reflections from Sally Ike on Serving as a Licensed Official

by Sally Ike | June 28, 2022

I remember the first time I served as a licensed official. It was the early ‘90s, and I was the Technical Delegate. I was confident because eventing had been “my" sport since the mid-60s, so I had a lot of experience riding and competing. But when the first horse started, all I could think of was, “Oh no, this is WAY different!” It was in that moment that I realized that, when I rode, my only responsibility was me, and now my responsibility was every rider, every horse.