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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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Steps Along the Eventing Pathway

by Kathleen Landwehr | July 24, 2019

The NAYC’s team experience and added pressure is an important steppingstone for young athletes. Photo credit: Taylor Pence/US Equestrian Young eventing athletes with big aspirations are able to gain experience from the Adequan® North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North (NAYC) and the Emerging Athlete Program. Both form part of the pathway to help riders develop their skills for the present and the future. The NAYC , with its team experience and added pressure, is an

USEF Launches New Online Application for Licensed Officials, Licensed Official Applicants

by Alina Brazzil | July 22, 2019

US Equestrian has launched a new online application system for those interested in applying for a license. The new online system provides applicants with greater transparency, information, and control throughout the licensing process. Sample licensed official application checklist Applicants will be able to view and upload apprentice evaluations, view clinic credit, receive automatic status updates, and view which application requirements are left to complete. The USEF Licensed Officials

After Fire, Family and Friends Restore Rider's Lost NAYC Medal

by Glenye Cain Oakford | July 15, 2019

When the deadly Woolsey Fire swept through more than 96,000 acres of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in California Lisa Takada (left) presented Kelsey Holmes (right) and NZB The Chosen One, aka Squid, with their new 2016 NAYC awards at a clinic at Galway Downs in California earlier this year. Photo: Courtesy of Kelsey Holmes last November, it killed three people, destroyed homes and lives, and prompted the evacuation of nearly 300,000 people, as well as countless animals. Eventing athlete

Future Looks Bright with Next Generation of Reining Athletes

by Kathleen Landwehr & Lexie Stovel | July 9, 2019

Each equestrian breed and discipline has notable names that stand out due to their remarkable accolades. Flarida and McCutcheon are two such names in the sport of reining. Though Sam Flarida and Cade McCutcheon have had family members precede them in the show pen, they are making their mark on the sport with their own impressive performances. Sam Flarida Sixteen-year-old Sam Flarida of Springfield, Ohio, has followed in his dad’s footsteps in the sport of reining. Sam’s dad Shawn is

Meet the U.S. Teams for 2019 SVAG FEI Reining World Championships for Young Riders & Juniors

by US Equestrian Communications Department | July 9, 2019

US Equestrian is pleased to introduce the U.S. teams for the 2019 SVAG FEI Reining World Championships for Young Riders & Juniors, which takes place July 9-13 in Givrins, Switzerland. This talented group of young athletes hopes to gain valuable experience under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Jeff Petska. At the 2017 edition of the championships, the U.S. Junior Team earned the silver medal. This year, both the U.S. Junior Team and the U.S. Young Rider Team hope to finish on the podium

Your Guide to the NAYC

by Glenye Cain Oakford | July 8, 2019

Photo: Taylor Pence/US Equestrian The Adequan® North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North kick off next week with eventing at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, Mont.) July 24-28. Old Salem Farm (North Salem, N.Y.) hosts FEI dressage and jumping championships July 30-Aug. 4. The NAYC is the pinnacle of equestrian sport in eventing, jumping, and dressage for young U.S. riders aged 12-21. Young riders compete for individual medals in those three Olympic disciplines, but they also ride

Yes, Equestrians are Athletes!

by Glenye Cain Oakford | July 2, 2019

Sloan Elmassian and Centurion at the Temecula Valley National Horse Show I earlier this year. Photo: Emma Miller/Phelps Media Group There’s no doubt that 20-year-old University of San Diego student Sloan Elmassian is a serious athlete. A high-level jumping competitor, she devotes six or seven days a week to her sport and her horse, driving 40 minutes each way to practice. Elmassian is an up-and-coming U.S. athlete who has competed at FEI competitions in U.S., Great Britain, and Belgium.

Sampson: Tribute to a Legend

by Glenye Cain Oakford | June 25, 2019

Sampson stars in a US Equestrian ad celebrating the joy of vaulting. U.S. vaulting athletes and fans are mourning the death of a gentle giant, Jodi Rinard’s 19-hand Percheron, Sampson, who had carried athletes at Mile High Vaulters in Fort Lupton, Co., for 15 years. The iconic gelding died in late May at age 21. An outpouring of memorial posts on Sampson’s Facebook page prompted Rinard to create an informal list of vaulting athletes who had competed on the enormous black-and-white

Reining Pathway in Development

by Glenye Cain Oakford | June 11, 2019

As young reining athletes prepare for the FEI Reining World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders July 9-13 in Givrins, Switzerland, the United States Equestrian Federation and USA Reining are teaming up to build a solid pathway to international competition for young reining athletes in the U.S. That means more opportunities for young riders and their horses throughout the nation, says Bryn Wells, the USEF’s Director of Reining and Eventing Programs. Photo: Regis

A Dream Foal-filled

by Lexie Stovel | May 14, 2019

When you think of peace, what do you picture? For me (and maybe for you, too!), it is a field of mares and foals, grazing in the fading light. Dewy muzzles, swishing tails, and long, gangly legs splayed out in the grass. Living in the heart of the Kentucky Bluegrass, I see this idyllic scene almost every day in the spring and summer while driving to and from work. US Equestrian customer care representative, reiner, and horse breeder Lexie Stovel with Loki. Photo: Courtesy of Lexie Stovel Peace.

Feeling the Joy at LRK3DE

by US Equestrian Communications Department | April 27, 2019

Whether you're a longtime spectator, a first-time volunteer, or an official at the event, the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian is a truly special place to be. We asked people at this year's event to share their thoughts about their favorite LRK3DE experiences and what they love about the event that many consider to be, as the competition's motto puts it, "the best weekend all year." Amy DuKate (Franklin, Ind.), show jumping ring steward since 2014

Many Winners Hoist Awards at 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN

by US Equestrian Communications Department | April 27, 2019

Shortly after the last combination has completed the show jumping course on Sunday and the winner of the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian has been decided, the awards ceremony will take place in the Rolex Stadium to honor everyone from the overall winner to the best-presented combination at the event's horse inspections. Although several of the trophies are housed in the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park throughout the year,