Lexington, Ky. - Chris Welton, CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), has announced the creation of new senior staff position: Chief Commercial Officer. The position, overseeing all aspects of communications, marketing, and network/media assets, will be filled by John W. (Josh) Taylor. Taylor brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing, promotion, and sponsorship. He was founder and managing partner of Midlantic Ltd., a promotional marketing agency serving a variety of...

Asia Manning of HITS presents Augusta Iwasaki and Bit of Laughter with the $3,000 West Coast Pony Hunter Final awards, including the Cymraeg Rainshower Memorial Trophy (ESI Photography) Thermal, Calif. - Week I of the National Sunshine Series came to a close on Sunday afternoon as Augusta Iwasaki and Bit of Laughter took home first place in the $3,000 West Coast Pony Hunter Final. The pair, scoring 87 and 80 for a total 167, was presented with the iconic Cymraeg Rainshower Memorial Trophy,...

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing 25 Program continued to identify and educate top up-and-coming riders in 2014. The comprehensive program incorporated all aspects of horsemanship in intensive winter training sessions, and continues education with Team Coach David O’Connor throughout the competition season helped riders reach new heights in the competition arena. Meghan O’Donoghue (Carbondale, Ill.) has excelled in the Eventing 25...

Waco, Texas - The National Collegiate Equestrian Association on Tuesday announced its October Riders of the Month, as determined by the NCEA selection committee and honoring standout performances from the second month of collegiate equestrian. Equitation Over Fences Rider of the Month: Kaitlin Perry, TCU • Recorded a perfect 3-0 record in Equitation Over Fences for the month of October, earning one MVP honor. • Each of her three victories came away from home. • Averaged a score...

Lexington, Ky. - Sunny skies, rolling green fields, and the iconic four-board fences of the Kentucky Horse Park welcome the droves of horse vans arriving in Lexington, Ky. for this week's US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, a unique national head-to-head competition showcasing riders and horses competing for top honors at all dressage levels from Training to Grand Prix as well as musical freestyles. This year's competitor roster includes over 400 entries for the US Dressage...

Waco, Texas. - The National Collegiate Equestrian Association on Tuesday announced its latest national team rankings, as determined by the NCEA Selection Committee. At 6-0, Baylor remains the nation’s top-ranked team, while Kansas State is No. 2 with a 3-0 record. South Carolina, which defeated Southeastern Conference foe Texas A&M last Friday, is No. 3. Auburn, which was idle, is ranked No. 4. TCU, which defeated Big 12 Conference opponent Oklahoma State on Saturday, has moved up to...

Lexington, Ky. - The 2015 United States Equestrian Federation Dressage Tests have been published on USEF.org. The 2015 Tests will be effective December 1, 2014 through November 30, 2018. In addition to the 2015 USEF Dressage Test booklet, the USEF has collaborated with the United States Dressage Federation to produce the On the Levels app, which provides examples of the new Introductory through Fourth level dressage tests with commentary from top U.S. trainers and judges, with segments geared...

Lexington, Ky. - At the end of the competition at the 2014 ASPCA Maclay Finals, Spencer Smith was awarded the Wilson Dennehy Equitation Trophy as the rider with the best results overall from the ASPCA Maclay Final and the Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Medal Finals. Smith finished fifth at the Maclay finals. At the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in October, Smith won the Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Medal Finals. He was the first male rider to win that title in 12 years .

Aurora, Colo. - The 48th Annual Arabian & Half-Arabian U.S. National Championship Horse Show once again transformed Tulsa Expo Square into an Arabian horse stomping ground. Stall curtains, water fountains, leather couches, and lots of plants transformed concrete floors and temporary stalls into set-ups of comfort, relaxation and style. Three arenas glittered with fancy lighting and red and gold drapes, while the feeling of competition lingered in the air. After all, this show is where the...

Shelburne, Vt. - The best of the best in the Morgan breed was celebrated in Oklahoma City for the 2014 edition of the Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show®, October 11-18. Since 1973, this show has represented the pinnacle of achievement in the Morgan horse world. More than 1,000 of the world's finest Morgan horses from across the United States, Canada, and Europe met in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to compete in over 300 classes for $400,000-plus in prize money. Matt...