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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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Horse Welfare Town Halls Continue With Focus on Hunter/Jumper and Dressage

by Natalie Voss | Aug 26, 2025, 9:12 AM EST

US Equestrian continued its slate of town hall events in the month of August with discussions at the USEF Pony Finals held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., and US Dressage Festival of Champions held at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Ill. ©Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian Each town hall event focused on the potential rule changes and areas of concern relevant to each discipline. In addition to USEF staff, the panel at Pony Finals included United States Hunter Jumper...

Electrolytes and Your Horse: What You Should Know

by Natalie Voss | Aug 26, 2025, 8:33 AM EST

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 course...

“The Best Thing About Training With Sarah Is She Doesn't Treat Me as If I'm Different”

by Debbie Elliot | Aug 25, 2025, 4:19 PM EST

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...

Meet Maverick: Adrienne Lyle’s Four-Legged Wingman

by Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Aug 24, 2025, 5:36 PM EST

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...

Meet Candy Crush: He’s a Pony with Pizazz and Beyoncé Energy

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Aug 22, 2025, 8:21 PM EST

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...

Meet Leviathan: Allison Nemeth’s Dependable Partner Who is Anything but Monstrous

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Aug 19, 2025, 4:09 PM EST

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...

Building a Strong Seat & Harmonious Partnership: Junior Athlete Claire Tucker on the Value of the Dressage Seat Medal Finals

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Aug 19, 2025, 4:07 PM EST

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...

Hair Testing: How It Works, How It’s Used, and What It Means For You

by Natalie Voss | Aug 11, 2025, 11:36 AM EST

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...

Gold-Medal Grace: The Making of a Champion at the 2025 FEI North American Youth Championships

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Aug 11, 2025, 11:22 AM EST

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 topped...

Five Questions with Eventing Horse Owner Caroline Moran

by Caroline Moran | Aug 7, 2025, 3:00 PM EST

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...