Equestrian Weekly Articles

If you’ve been checking the daily forecasted highs and letting out a sigh of frustration this summer, you’re not alone. Many of us are constantly on the lookout for the best ways to support our horses if we need to train or compete in warm weather. Shannon Brinkman Photo Oral electrolyte pastes and powders are a popular tool to help horses replenish minerals they may lose while exercising or due to certain medical conditions. Horses can produce several gallons of sweat in the

The village of Honeoye Falls in Monroe County, N.Y., has a population of less than 3,000 people. However, two of those people will be representing the U.S. in the FEI World Driving Championships in Europe this fall. Deb Marcuccilli is set to compete in the FEI Para Driving World Championships September 4-7 in Lähden, Germany. Meanwhile, Sarah Reitz will be driving in the 2025 FEI Driving World Championship for Combined Ponies from September 17-21 in Le Pin au Haras, France. Photo by Mb

With a barn name of ‘Maverick’, Hussmans Topgun (Totilas x Atterupgaards Demi) was destined to bring a little swagger to the dressage arena. The 2016 Danish Warmblood gelding may not be the first young horse Adrienne Lyle has brought up through the levels, but with his charm, talent, and just the right amount of attitude, he’s earning his call sign. ©Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian “On the ground he’s like a puppy dog,” said Lyle. “He’s

Samantha and Candy Crush at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (©Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian) For youth athlete Samantha MacDonald, there’s no question who the star of the barn is: her pony, Candy Crush. Known affectionately as “Crush” or “Crushy,” this pint-sized powerhouse has captured hearts with his mix of sweetness, spunk, and undeniable charisma. “He is just the best pony ever,” Samantha said with a laugh. “He is really

Leviathan and Allison Nemeth at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (©Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian) For U25 athlete Allison Nemeth, the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions is the culmination of hard work and how it has paid off for her and her longtime partner, Leviathan, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding she’s raised and trained herself. Known as Levi in the barn, the gelding has been with Nemeth since he was just two years old. “We’ve grown up

Claire and Finnur at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian) For many young dressage athletes, the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions represents the pinnacle of their season. The competition is a place where top combinations from across the United States come together to compete at the picturesque HITS Lamplight Equestrian Center. Among the classes offered, the Dressage Seat Medal Finals stand out as a unique opportunity designed to develop and showcase

Earlier this summer, US Equestrian added a rule allowing the Federation to begin collecting hair samples as part of its drug testing program. While blood and urine sampling have been part of USEF sanctioned horse shows for many years, hair testing is new and competitors have a lot of questions about it. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian First, it’s important to understand how testing for drugs in hair differs from testing blood or urine. When a horse is given a substance (orally or via

Christianson and her partner, FHF Roulee (©US Equestrian) At just 13 years old, Grace Christianson made history at the 2025 FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), sweeping all three gold medals in the inaugural Children’s Dressage division and earning the highest score of the entire dressage competition. Christianson and her mount, FHF Roulee, delivered a record-breaking score of 81.116% in the Individual Final to cap off a standout week in Traverse City. The pair also

Caroline Moran is a longtime supporter of eventing in the U.S. and is a co-owner of Possante, a top mount of U.S. Eventing Team member Phillip Dutton. She shared her insights into the rewards of horse ownership and what makes CHIO Aachen the ultimate experience. Photo courtesy Caroline Moran 1. How did you become involved with Event horse ownership? My dear friend, Bruce Duchossois, who was an owner for Phillip Dutton for many years, introduced me to the sport of Eventing about 18 years ago. He

Long summer days at the barn, in the show ring, or on the rail are what equestrian dreams are made of. Spending time outdoors with horses is one of the best things about participating in equestrian sports, but too much sun exposure on unprotected skin can lead to serious health problems. That elevated risk for equestrians inspired one horse show family to step up and help out, and they’re bringing their new nonprofit organization to the 2025 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall +

The newly expanded 2025 USEF Pony Jumper National Championship supported by Youth Show Jumping Foundation opens the door for more pony riders to take on the fun and challenge of the jumper ring. For many the national championship provides a first experience in presenting a pony for the horse inspection, typically referred to simply as “the jog.” DiAnn Langer instructs a jumper at the jog at Pony Finals in 2024. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian DiAnn Langer is the USEF Show

Valentine and Major competing at Chattahoochee Hills Horse Trials (©Liz Cawley Photography) Some ponies have a special spark that’s hard to put into words and for 13-year-old Valentine Russo of Ocala, Florida, that spark is embodied in her multi-talented partner and friend, Major Blitz RSR . The pair is preparing to compete in the Pony Jumpers at the 2025 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall + Sterling , and as they get ready to step into the Pony Finals ring for the first time,