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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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SunSafe Equestrian Brings Skin Health to the Horse Show Circuit

by Leslie Potter/US Equestrian | Aug 6, 2025, 10:00 AM EST

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 +...

Success in the Pony Jumper Jog with Tips from DiAnn Langer

by Leslie Potter/US Equestrian | Aug 5, 2025, 5:00 PM EST

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 Jumping...

A Pony Who Does It All: Major Blitz RSR and Valentine Russo Set Their Sights on Pony Finals

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Aug 5, 2025, 8:00 AM EST

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,...

Rule Change Submission Deadline Approaches on Sept. 1

by US Equestrian Communications | Aug 4, 2025, 10:46 AM EST

USEF members interested in submitting rule change proposals to the Rulebook must submit their proposals by Sept. 1. This deadline also applies to proposed changes to the General Rules submitted by USEF committees or Recognized Affiliates. USEF Committees and Recognized Affiliates have until Feb.15 to submit proposed changes to division rules. Rule changes submitted by Sept. 1 will go through a series of vetting processes, after which they would be presented to the board for discussion and...

Horse Welfare Town Halls: July Events Stimulate Discussion On Ethical Treatment of Horses

by Natalie Voss | Jul 29, 2025, 1:04 PM EST

US Equestrian hosted two horse welfare town hall events in the month of July as part of an ongoing schedule of conversations about prioritizing horse welfare. The most recent events took place July 18 at HITS-Hudson Valley in Saugerties, N.Y., and July 25 at The Oaks in San Juan Capistrano. Since both discussions took place at hunter/jumper events, the topics of discussion focused on welfare concerns specific to those disciplines. The goal for these events is productive, positive,...

US Equestrian Mourns the Loss of Cecile Hetzel Dunn

by Natalie Voss | Jul 29, 2025, 11:38 AM EST

US Equestrian sends our condolences to all those who knew and loved Cecile Hetzel Dunn, who passed away July 26 at the age of 89. A well-respected and much-admired equestrian across multiple breeds and disciplines, Dunn was well known for her devotion to the horse and the sport, and for her unwavering dedication to providing guidance to the younger generation. A life-long equestrian, Dunn learned to ride her pony before she could walk. She began her professional career as an instructor at her...

Reflections From an Olympic Equestrian

by Allyson Mattingly | Jul 14, 2025, 12:52 PM EST

Competing in the Olympic Games is often described as the pinnacle of an athlete’s career, but for equestrian legend David O’Connor, the experience went beyond winning medals. His Olympic appearances on the U.S. Eventing Team at the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Summer Games weren’t just defining moments in his career - they were personal, transformative journeys that would stay with him forever. 1996 Atlanta Olympics O'Connor and Custom Made, who he rode in the 2000 Olympic...

GallopNYC Brings the “Transformative Power” of Horses to Manhattan’s Central Park

by Mikhail Proctor | Jul 7, 2025, 10:55 AM EST

New York City’s Central Park, one of the most iconic urban parks in the world, offers a relaxed reprieve from the busy city atmosphere of Manhattan. Popular activities in Central Park range from walking, rollerblading, and cycling, to concerts, events, picnics — and even interactions with horses. This is exactly what GallopNYC provided on May 18, 2025, by hosting the Central Park Promenade, a family-friendly event sharing the magic of horses with New Yorkers. Central Park Promenade...

2025 BreyerFest Celebrates 5* Eventer Tight Lines

by Debbie Elliot | Jul 3, 2025, 1:33 PM EST

Throughout his illustrious career, Tight Lines (a.k.a. “Phish”) achieved impressive feats such as representing the U.S. in the 2018 World Equestrian Games with Olympic eventer Will Coleman, and competing at the Kentucky 3-Day Event, the Maryland 5*, and the Defender Burghley 5*. Now the 18-year-old French Thoroughbred (Turgeon x Tel Quel) has been immortalized as the 2025 Celebration Horse at BreyerFest, which takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., from July 11-13....

The History of Horses and Independence Day

by Allyson Mattingly | Jun 30, 2025, 3:52 PM EST

On the Fourth of July, Americans celebrate freedom, fireworks, and patriotism. For centuries, brave men and women have valiantly fought for the stars and stripes, but shouldn’t we honor the brave horses who have done the same? Photo Credit: Shannon Brinkman Horses have served our nation since long before the Constitution was signed, providing vital services such as transportation, communication, farm help, and, of course, companionship. In an age of instant communication, it may be hard...