Representatives from the United States Equestrian Federation’s 29 breed and discipline affiliates convened Friday at the Annual Meeting in Lexington, Ky., for a vibrant Affiliate Roundtable discussion on a broad range of topics. The Roundtable agenda was based on feedback from the affiliates, who submitted topics of interest they’d like to discuss. The meeting covered such subjects as opportunities for collaboration, growing membership, and sponsorship ways to improve communications...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian (USEF) is pleased to announce Old Salem Farm as the host site for the 2018 Dressage Adequan® FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC), as well as the 2018 and 2019 Jumping Adequan® FEI North American Junior Children and Young Rider Championships (NAJChYRC) presented by Gotham North pending FEI approval. Rebecca Farm will host eventing, the NAJC and CICOY in 2018 and 2019, pending FEI approval. Photo...

The USEF Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Equestrian Team Awards took place Saturday during the President’s Luncheon at the US Equestrian Annual Meeting. The awards recognized the 2017 championship team for each of the USEF-affiliated collegiate and scholastic organizations. Each winning team, its coaches, and its individual team members showed great commitment and dedication to reach their achievements in 2017. SCAD assistant coach Abbie Gibson and US Equestrian President Murray...

Lexington, Ky. – On a night dedicated to celebrating the horse, US Equestrian is pleased to share that HH Azur, owned by Double H Farm and François Mathy has been voted the 2017 International Horse of the Year and Cuba, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC, has been voted the 2017 National Horse of the Year. International Horse of the Year HH Azur (Shannon Brinkman Photo) HH Azur (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Sion van de Zuuthoeve/Sir Lui) 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare Owners:...

Lexington, Ky. – The U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team presented by Deloitte will compete in its second competition of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) winter circuit, taking place January 19-21, in Wellington, Fla. The U.S. will compete against Canada beginning with the FEI Team Test for all grades on Friday, which will count 50% toward the overall team score. The FEI Individual Test for all grades follows on Saturday, which will count 50% toward the overall team score. In...

One year after launching an ambitious strategic plan—including rebranding the United States Equestrian Federation as US Equestrian—President Murray Kessler took the stage at Thursday’s live-streamed General Session to update members. Kessler set the theme of “Bringing Joy, Embracing Change” right from the start, showing how US Equestrian is rising to the challenges of its vision, to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. US Equestrian...

Lexington, Ky. – A decorated and respected equestrian with an international acclaim that continues to grow, McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) was awarded the Robert P. Strub Trophy as the 2017 USEF Equestrian of the Year at the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner. McLain Ward (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Ward started the season by winning the $380,000 Suncast Grand Prix CSI5* during the Winter Equestrian Festival with HH Azur. The following month, Ward clinched a home turf victory, winning the Longines FEI...

Many Fortune 500 companies, sports leagues, professional athletes, and celebrities have faced media crises. Some arise from the incident with little harm, while others experience negative impact to their image, brand, and bottom lines. In the age of social media and a 24-hour news cycle, it is important that every organization have a media plan with guidance to effectively handle a media crisis. Sarah Hamilton (Photo: Taylor Pence) During US Equestrian’s (USEF) Annual Meeting on...

As reports of abuse roil other sports, US Equestrian invited the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s chief operating officer, Malia Arrington to discuss the SafeSport initiative and how its policies and training are fighting emotional, physical, and sexual misconduct—including bullying, cyberbullying, hazing, harassment, and abuse—in equestrian sports and in the other Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. The SafeSport intiative provides information, resources, and a protocol that helps...

Annual Meeting is well underway after two days of exciting and informative meetings. US Equestrian President Murray Kessler will address the membership at the General Session tomorrow, January 18, at 8:30 a.m. EST. He’ll provide an update on the strategic plan and the progress seen in 2017--including the significant increase in membership, revenue growth, and how US Equestrian is reinvesting in membership--and discuss how, while the change has been challenging, it is proving to be worth...