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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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After Brain Injury, Healing with Horses

by Glenye Cain Oakford | November 26, 2019

Brittany Halstead and Dos Equis after their first hunter jumper round at Brownland Farm in Franklin, Tenn., on Oct. 5. Photo: Tina Halstead Brittany Halstead had the best of two equestrian worlds— hunter jumpers and polo—when a car crash nearly ended her life in 2014. Her recovery was nothing short of miraculous, and she credits working with two horses, polo ponies Fanta and Dos Equis, for helping her return to the saddle and the show ring. In return, she formed ReplayPolo , which

SafeSport Training Refresher: What You Need to Know

by Glenye Cain Oakford | November 19, 2019

Did you get a reminder to take your SafeSport Training refresher course? The refresher is quick and easy, and completing the course ensures that an adult competing member can continue to participate in USEF-licensed competitions as an owner, athlete, or trainer. You’ll find additional information and resources about SafeSport Training and USEF’s Safe Sport Policy—including SafeSport Training FAQs —on the Safe Sport page at usef.org . Here’s what you need to know:

Hay Flying U.S.-Bred Flag in Dressage Ring

by Nancy Jaffer | November 5, 2019

Bridget Hay has a simple reason why she began breeding dressage horses at her Hunterdon County, N.J., farm. Bridget competing on Amy Price’s Fauna, a mare Bridget bred, foaled, and trained (©2018 by Nancy Jaffer) “It started years ago because I could never afford to import horses or buy well-bred horses,” she explained. “So I make them myself and train them myself.” She has quite an array of homebreds at the Rainbow Ridge Equestrian Center, from which she has

Costume Inspiration from US Equestrian Breed Affiliates’ National Championships

by Kathleen Landwehr | October 29, 2019

With Halloween just around the corner, equestrians are brainstorming or perfecting costumes for themselves and their horses. Several of US Equestrian’s breeds have costumes classes at their national championships that allow competitors to get creative and show their individual style. Costumes ranging from whimsical creatures to native tack and attire acknowledging the breed’s heritage impress the judges and spectators at the national championships. US Equestrian spoke with three

Future Stars of Eventing Showcased at FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses

by Kathleen Landwehr | October 29, 2019

Each fall, the world’s best young event horses prove their mettle at the Fédération Équestre Internationale World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Le Lion d’Angers, France. The championships test six- and seven-year-old horses in two separate divisions, giving the horses their first taste of world championship competition while their riders guide them through eventing’s three phases. Liz

Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Opens Doors for Next Generation of Para-Dressage Athletes

by Kathleen Landwehr | October 22, 2019

Therapeutic Riding, Inc. , is one of the United States Equestrian Federation/United States Para-Equestrian Association International Para-Equestrian Centers of Excellence providing up-and-coming athletes with quality para-equestrian sport programs. TRI was founded in 1984 as a therapeutic riding facility in Ann Arbor, Mich., to help those with disabilities experience horseback riding and its many benefits. TRI is celebrating its 35 th anniversary this year, and it shows no sign of slowing down

Nine-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Awarded First WPCSA Courage Award Presented by Angel Heart Farm

by Ashley Swift | October 8, 2019

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America (WPCSA) recently hosted their national championship, the American National Show, in Tulsa, Okla., where Welsh Pony and Cob enthusiasts competed for top honors. This community is a tightknit group with deep connections to one another beyond their common bond of the Welsh breed. Dr. Ruth Wilburn with Courage Award recipient Gaige Queen and Coye Ann Queen The WPCSA presented the first Courage Award presented by Angel Heart Farm at the 2019 American

Talent Search Finals-East and Beyond for Daisy Farish

by Kathleen Landwehr | October 1, 2019

The history and prestige are palpable at the United States Equestrian Team Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, N.J., making it an excellent venue for aspiring young jumping athletes hoping to make it to the top of the sport. An impressive field competed in the four phases of the 2018 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals-East, but it was Daisy Farish who claimed the champion title after delivering superb performances. Farish aims to one day represent the U.S. at the

Rescued Paso Finos Take Center Stage at National Championship

by Ashley Swift | September 30, 2019

The Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) hosts its Grand National Horse Show every year and welcomes some of the finest representatives of the Paso Fino breed in the U.S. for a chance at a prestigious grand championship title. Newly added to the schedule this year was the Rescue Geldings class, dedicated to Paso Finos who have been rescued and rehabilitated from a variety of circumstances. Eight geldings participated in the inaugural class, sharing their stories of rescue from kill pens,

Wild Pony Becomes Both Student and Teacher

by Glenye Cain Oakford | September 24, 2019

Bobbidi Boo, nicknamed Noelle, has come a long way since the Jacksonville sheriff's department picked her up as a stray. Photo: Anneliese Murch Hunter jumper trainer Kirsty Wright isn’t sure what possessed her to drive from her base in Odessa, Fla., to Jacksonville, Fla., in April 2018 and bring home an unbroken 13.2-hand mare that took more than an hour to catch in her pasture. The eight-year-old pony had an unusual history. The Jacksonville sheriff’s department had picked her

American Saddlebred Goes from Rescue to Show Ring

by Glenye Cain Oakford | September 23, 2019

Lisa Gaboury and her husband, Scott, with Ro and Me's Gypsy Moon at the Blue Ridge Classic Horse Show. Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Gaboury When the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show ’s Saddlebred Week begins on Sept. 25, at least one competitor in the Saddle & Bridle Shatner Western Pleasure Championships will feel like a winner before she and her horse even step into the ring. Lisa Gaboury and her American Saddlebred gelding, Ro and Me’s Gypsy Moon, took a slightly unusual

Five Things to Know About Paso Finos

by US Equestrian Communications Department | September 17, 2019

The Paso Fino Grand National takes place through Sept. 21 in Perry, Ga. Photo: Stunning Steeds The Paso Fino Horse Association Grand National Championship Show takes place Sept. 16-21 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Ga.—watch it live now at USEF Network . Hosted by the Paso Fino Horse Association through Sept. 21, the show will deliver six days of world-class competition, featuring the best Paso Fino horses in the nation exhibited by professionals, amateurs, and young