Mill Spring, N.C. - The U.S. Dressage athletes are strong contenders for medals at this year’s FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018. Technical Advisor and Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, U.S. athlete Laura Graves, and her coach, Debbie McDonald share their philosophies and the importance of a positive mindset, care for the horses’ mental states, and envisioning a goal when competing and preparing for major events. During competition, six-time Olympian, Technical Advisor,...

North Salem, N.Y. - Caroline Garren picked up her second gold medal from the Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), presented by Gotham North on August 4 at Old Salem Farm. She added the win in the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) North American Junior Individual Championship to her record with a score of 70.14%, after having helped her Region 3 team to the team gold earlier in the week. Bianca Schmidt, from Region 4, claimed the silver medal, while Chase Robertson...

North Salem, N.Y. – Alexander Dawson qualified for his first Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) presented by Gotham North two years ago. He anticipated competing against talent from all across North America. Unfortunately, three days before the NAYC he was riding at home and his horse reared, lost his footing, and landed on its side. One of Dawson’s stirrups ended up lodged between his foot and horse, which broke Dawson’s tibia and fibula. This...

Paris, France – Two strong dressage combinations will represent the U.S. in the 2018 FEI World Cup Dressage Final at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France, April 13 and 14. Coming off high scores at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), both Laura Graves and Shelly Francis, and their horses, are prepared and ready to compete. Laura Graves and Verdades Olympic bronze medalist Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) will look to defend her FEI World Cup Dressage Final second-place finish...

Photo by Osteen/Schatzberg Scottsdale, Ariz. – The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is an 11-day celebration of tradition and history, welcoming over 2,200 Arabian and Half-Arabian horses registered with the Arabian Horse Association to West World in Scottsdale, Ariz. This year marks the 63 rd anniversary for the largest Arabian horse show in the world. From February 15 - 25, 2018, the competition hosted a wide array of classes across six bustling show rings, from native costume to working...

Leaders from collegiate and scholastic organizations gathered Friday at US Equestrian’s Annual Meeting to share ideas, discuss marketing and promotional opportunities, and learn more about US Equestrian’s many resources for educational partners. “We wanted to get together to discuss how we can promote participation in equestrian sport, how we can assist the scholastic and collegiate groups in raising awareness of what they do, what their formats are, what the opportunities...

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...

Barcelona, Spain - The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team finished strong on Saturday evening at the FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final at CSIO5* Barcelona, claiming second over Belgium. After technical issues with one of the stadium lights that caused nearly a two-hour delay in competition start time, the U.S. team of Lauren Hough, Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden, and McLain Ward proved their experience and fortitude, finishing on a mere four faults. The U.S. team took home third in 2016, only to...

Calgary, Alta. – The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team battled from behind to win the Spruce Meadows’ BMO Nations Cup on Saturday with the help of an incredible triple clear performance from Beezie Madden and Darry Lou. Tied with Brazil on eight faults after the second round, Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland tapped his only double-clear combination to seal the victory in the jump-off. With the pressure on, the two-time Olympic team gold medalist and Dutch Warmblood stallion...

Wayne, Ill. - An elite group of young and talented dressage athletes competed for championship honors in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals on Sunday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Judges examined the riders’ equitation skills in two phases, individual patterns and group work patterns. Camille Molten claimed top honors in the 13 & Under division, while Isabel Gregory won the 14-18 division. 13 & Under Division Molten (Mount Pleasant, S.C.), trained by Michelle Folden, bested...