Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...

Lexington, KY - As announced earlier this year, any product containing gama aminobutyric acid (GABA) is deemed a forbidden substance under USEF Rules. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and is a principal ingredient of "Carolina Gold." As a reminder, because there are no recognized medical uses for this substance, the use of a Medication Report Form to report its administration is NOT applicable under USEF rules. Currently, GABA positives have been detected and are pending enforcement...

Victoria Colvin and Inclusive lead USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals on day one of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The Kentucky Horse Park was filled with anticipation as the top Junior riders in the nation gathered for the first day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show to vie for the championship honors in the 2012 USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals. The entire year of competition has led to this point in their Junior career, with some continuing their...

The sixth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder When on a horse, I wear a riding helmet. My students wear riding helmets. I ride and show western and dressage. The helmet/hat quandary, style vs. safety, the tradition or common sense conversation is therefore a subject near and dear to my heart. On March 22, 2012, I went into the hay barn to get a bale of hay to feed lunch in the barn. To make a long story short, despite my usual care in tipping bales, as I turned to leave the...

Mary McCormick & Palatine (MacMillan Photography) Lexington, KY - Sixteen vaulters from around the U.S. visited the Kentucky Horse Park over the past weekend to compete in the CVI Kentucky and North American Young Riders Vaulting Challenge. CVIJ 2*, CVI 2*, and CVI 3* competitions were all held. In the 3* competition a familiar face finished atop the women’s division; Mary McCormick (Woodside, CA) scored 8.041 (she was the only vaulter to score above 8) on the Sydney Frankel owned...

Victoria New and Fleeceworks Mystere du Val, Individual Gold medalists in Junior Eventing (Brant Gamma Photography) Lexington, KY - The Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championship concluded competition today after an extremely successful week. Eventing was the highlight with riders completing their stadium jumping phase to determine team and individual medalists. Five disciplines (a total of 9 championships for juniors and young riders) took part in the only FEI...

(Sportfot/GCT) Chantilly, France - The youngest rider to be selected for the 2012 Olympic Games clocked up a victory at the 5* GCT in Chantilly Sunday. Reed Kessler, only 18 years old, rode a stylish, fast clear on 57.71 in the early morning Prix Vicomte Arthur over 1m45 fences beating experienced show jumping stars, including fellow American Mclain Ward. After the win on her horse Ligist - she will be riding Cylana at the London Olympics - Reed said: “It is my last show before I go to...

Mary Jordan speaking to campers at USOC Olympic Day Photo courtesy Saco Parks & Recreation Department in Saco, Maine Saco, ME - As the London Olympics/Paralympics approach athletes have been promoting and creating awareness of this spectacular event. On June 29, 2012, the Official USA Olympic Day occurred where hundreds of Olympians and Paralympians participated around the country in interactive and informative public speaking events. Created by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC),...

Zana Wofsi and Taylor Schmidt. Traverse City, MI - July 22, 2012 - Even though Taylor Schmidt has only been competing in the jumper ranks for little more than a year, when she went into the ring to jump off for the $7,500 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic she had confidence in her mare Zana Wofsi. Knowing that Wofsi's strength is turning, Schmidt said she made her winning plan with the knowledge that they could master Michel Vallaincourt's jump-off test. He challenged riders...

Caitlyn Shiels and S&L Downtown finished first in the Six, Seven and Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper class during the opening week of the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – The next generation of grand prix horses took center stage during the first three weeks of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival horse show, running July 4 through August 12 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT. Five-Year-Old, Six-Year-Old and Seven and...