When US Equestrian implemented the expanded Unethical Treatment of Horses rule ( GR838 ) last year, it empowered the organization and its licensed officials to take action in cases of unethical treatment of horses, on show grounds and off. We quickly realized we needed to provide more examples and context for horse welfare best practices in training and competition. Earlier this week, we released a series of Horse Welfare Guidelines that we hope will serve as a basis for improved physical and...

Lexington, Ky. – Friday marked the start of the second half of the 2025 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall + Sterling and added another four national championships to the record books. In the Rolex Stadium, the medium green and large green ponies concluded their championships. On the jumper side, the team competition for the large ponies wrapped up while the small/medium pony jumpers closed out their week with the individual finals. Qualen's Mystical and Finley Baras....

Del Mar, Calif. – A total of 96 entries across the 3’3” and 3’6” heights came to show on the first day of competition at the 2025 Adequan ® /USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – West . All competitors contested their classic rounds on Saturday in the spectacular Grand Prix Grass Field at HITS Del Mar Horse Park. Additionally, the 3’6” sections completed their under saddle phase, leaving just Sunday’s handy rounds left to determine...

Lexington, Ky . – In keeping with its ongoing commitment to equine welfare, US Equestrian advanced a number of rule changes and modifications at its mid-year meeting June 16 and 17 in Lexington, Ky. Directors heard updates on the organization’s strategic plan, the path to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, as well as its vision of continual enhancements to the welfare and integrity of equine sport. General Rule Changes GR402.1 Testing : The Board approved changes to this rule...

US Equestrian recently received an update regarding the pending amendments to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and the Horse Protection Program. The USDA has announced that there will be no regulatory changes between the 2024 show season and the 2025 show season. This includes a stay on enforcing the new requirement that was to take effect April 2, 2025, mandating that competition and event management of any equine event held in the United States that is covered under the Act, register with and...

On Friday, January 24, US Equestrian received word that the rule updates to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) have been delayed until April 2, 2025. These changes were originally scheduled to go into effect on February 1, 2025. According to a statement put out by the USDA: On January 24, 2025, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will temporarily postpone its final rule to amend the Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations for 60 days from February 1, 2025, to April 2,...

Dear USEF Members, Competition Licensees and Managers, In October 2024 we provided you with information regarding the new amendments to the Horse Protection Act (HPA or Act). This is a follow-up to that communication. Since release of the new amendments to the Act, USEF leaders have participated in Zoom meetings and webinars with the American Horse Council (AHC) and with USDA/APHIS to voice our concerns and to gain a better understanding of the upcoming implementation of the HPA changes,...

L-R: Dana Glass, Katherine Bateson-Chandler, and Beezie Madden sit on a panel during the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting ©Avery Wallace/US Equestrian Lexington, Ky. – An accomplished panel of athletes and trainers from diverse backgrounds highlighted the Thursday afternoon session of the 2025 US Equestrian Meeting Annual Meeting. The session, which was led by US Equestrian Chief of Sport and Olympic gold medalist, David O’Connor, featured conversations with U.S. Jumping Team...

Lexington, Ky. -- The equestrian community gathered at the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting and Awards on Thursday, January 23, to engage in a pivotal workshop led by communications expert Sarah Hamilton. Focused on the crucial theme of “social licenses,” Hamilton led a discussion about the importance of trust and responsible communications in maintaining the integrity of equestrian sports. “Everyone has a role in maintaining social licenses,” Hamilton stated. “In...

Gladstone N.J. -- At the 2024 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals – East, the second day unfolded with the gymnastics phase at the USET Foundation Headquarters. Phase II tested the skills of the 46 athletes as they navigated a series of challenging gymnastic lines, each carrying a score multiplier of 1.5. ©Kind Media The competition kicked off with athletes and their horses entering the arena to impress judges Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and Ellen Raidt. Emerging at the...