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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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Get the Best Body-Clip for Your Horse

by Glenye Cain Oakford | September 25, 2018

When Jack Frost first nips at your nose and your horse or pony’s coat starts getting fuzzy, it’s time to make your winter clipping plan. Before you pull out the clippers, consider several questions. How much work will your horse or pony be doing this winter? What kind of shelter do they have from winter weather? How old are they? Will they be showing? An Irish clip Photo: Courtesy of Shannon O'Hatnick Particularly in the case of older horses and ponies, it’s also worth

“Horses Really Do Help”

by Glenye Cain Oakford | September 18, 2018

Lilian Schaffer and Special in January. Photo: Alison Schaffer Things were looking good for 17-year-old equestrian Lilian Schaffer in the summer of 2017. Just three years into her showing career, she already had achieved some promising results and, more importantly, she’d discovered a deep and fulfilling connection with horses and the equestrian community. Lilian, who lives in Denver, Colo., had joined her barn’s Interscholastic Equestrian Association team in 2014. She went with

Come See Us at Tryon!

by US Equestrian Communications Department | September 11, 2018

The US Equestrian joy tour stops at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 this month—come join us! The games will take place from Sept. 11-23 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. Our booth, located in the middle of the World Equine Expo area, will open on Sept. 12 at 8 a.m. Photo: Shannon Brinkman Stop by every day for free fan memberships, giveaways, the new official US Equestrian Team Ariat merchandise, and opportunities to learn more about

Vaccines: A Good Investment for a Healthy Horse

by Margaret Buranen | September 5, 2018

Whether your horse or pony travels to compete or is strictly a stay-at-home companion animal, you’ll need to talk to It's important to discuss your horse or pony's vaccination plan with your veterinarian. Photo: vchalup/Adobestock your veterinarian about an annual plan and schedule for vaccinations—a key to horse health. When you do, be prepared to discuss both core vaccines (considered essential for the majority of horses) and risk-based vaccines (which may or may not be

Competition Manager Education Course in USEF Education Portal

by US Equestrian Communications Department | September 1, 2018

The Competition Manager Education Course is now available online to all Active Senior Members who have completed both the background check and Safe Sport training. This can be found in USEF Education Portal on the Member Dashboard . Effective 12/1/2018, per GR1202.1 - Competition Manager, An individual acting in this capacity is required to be a Senior Active Member of the Federation. Any individual acting as the Competition Manager of a hunter and/or jumper Open (not restricted to a breed)

Horses Plus STEM Can Equal a Career

by Glenye Cain Oakford | August 28, 2018

Some Kentucky equestrians who also are involved in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—are showing young horse-lovers how their passions for equestrian sport and STEM disciplines can lead to a career that combines both. The effort started informally this year when Dr. James MacLeod, professor of veterinary science and the The group from the Columbia Equestrian Center in Missouri with Dr. James MacLeod (far right), Dr. Suzanne Smith (third from right, back row),

Your Horse Has Uveitis? Here’s What You Need To Know

by Glenye Cain Oakford | August 28, 2018

Uveitis is a common cause of blindness in horses, but in some ways it remains mysterious. In its recurrent form, it also can be intractable. There’s no cure for it yet, but it also need not be a death sentence for a horse. Careful management and treatment can help preserve a horse’s sight longer, and even in cases where an affected eye has to be removed, many horses can still continue to live largely normal, active lives and even have successful competitive careers. Photo:

Antibiotic Resistance Is Real. Here’s How You Can Help.

by Glenye Cain Oakford | August 14, 2018

Antibiotic-resistant diseases are a serious concern in both equine and human medical practice. Photo: dimasobko/Adobestock If you’ve got an old bottle of leftover antibiotics sitting in your tack room, it might be tempting to use it the next time you have a horse with an issue. But giving those antibiotics without a veterinary diagnosis and prescription could contribute to an issue that’s got veterinarians and human doctors concerned: antibiotic resistance. “It’s

“The Horse Brought Us All Back to Normal”

by Glenye Cain Oakford | August 7, 2018

Madeline Jordan doesn’t remember being hit by the white pickup truck. But it’s a moment her parents, Grady and Monica Jordan, will never forget. It was Halloween night in 2015, and the family had joined what Monica called “a walking block-party” of friends, carrying flashlights and wearing fluorescent necklaces, to go trick-or-treating. Maddie was dressed up as Bill Belichick, the Super Bowl-winning coach of her beloved New England Patriots football team. Maddie and

Hoof Sense: What Are Your Horse’s Hooves Telling You?

by Fran Jurga | July 31, 2018

Have you ever wished you could pick up your horse’s hoof and read it, the way a fortuneteller reads your palm? What if that hoof in your hand were a crystal ball, and it could foresee how sound and healthy your horse’s feet have been, are, and will be? As it turns out, that’s not such a far-fetched idea. A horse’s hoof is a library of information, if you know how and where to look for information. Bring your hoof pick! Your eyes, nose, and touch can all help spot trouble

New US Equestrian Heritage Competition: Charleston Summer Classic I & II

by US Equestrian Communications Department | July 24, 2018

US Equestrian has designated the Charleston Summer Classic I & II a Heritage Competition in recognition of the show’s 26-year history and its substantial contribution to the development and promotion of equestrian sport. The hunter jumper competition on Johns Island, South Carolina, celebrated the designation at its most recent edition, which took place July 10-14 and July 17-21 at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center . Celebrating Charleston Summer Classic I & II’s Heritage

Group Effort Makes 2018 Saddle Seat World Cup a Success

by Glenye Cain Oakford | July 17, 2018

When saddle seat teams from Canada, Namibia, South Africa, and the United States converged on Kentucky for the 2018 Saddle Seat World Cup , US Equestrian staff were ready. Hosted this year by US Equestrian, the biennial competition brought 50 horses and 42 team members, coaches, managers, and mentors to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., July 2-6. Among the US Equestrian National Affiliates team members who pitched in at the Saddle Seat World Cup were (front row, l to r) Erin DesNoyers,