James "Jimmy" C. Wofford (Chrissy Miller of Szemere Photography) James “Jimmy” C. Wofford had a profound influence on the shaping of equestrian sport as we know it today. He was a complete horseman, focused and skilled competitor, and a “teacher’s teacher” who will be remembered for his humor, charm, and wit. Wofford was born into an equestrian family on November 3, 1944, in Junction City, Kansas. His father, Col. John W. Wofford, competed for the U.S. Jumping Team...

Ensuring that we are responding to the feedback of our members and doing our part to benefit the broader environment by going green, USEF has spent the last year transitioning many of our paper processes to online processes. This provides members with the greater convenience and efficiency they have asked for when conducting their business with the organization. Additionally, it saves resources and keeps costs down organization-wide which results in savings for members. Members can now enjoy...

Naples, Fla. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that Balou du Reventon, Ann Thompson’s 2006 Oldenburg stallion, was voted the 2021 International Horse of the Year and Big Shot, Dulcie Lou Morris’s 2011 Holsteiner gelding, was voted the 2021 National Horse of the Year by the USEF membership. Balou du Reventon and Big Shot were honored during the SmartPak/USEF Horse of the Year Awards Dinner Celebration on Saturday, January 15. International Horse of the Year Balou du...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Junior Equestrian of the Year Award to be presented at the 2022 US Equestrian Annual Meeting . Kathy Kusner and Howard Simpson are the winners of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award, while Sophia Huffman is the 2021 Junior Equestrian of the Year. Kusner, Simpson, and Huffman will be recognized at the Pegasus Awards Dinner Celebration on Thursday, January 13. Lifetime Achievement...

Barcelona, Spain – The NetJets ® U.S. Jumping Team finished fifth in the 2021 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ CSIO5* on October 3, 2021, in Barcelona, Spain, at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona. Led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, the team consisted of Lillie Keenan, Laura Kraut, Schuyler Riley, and Spencer Smith. Ridland noted, “When we arrived here and looked at what we were going up against, those teams were the real deal teams; it was the ‘A’...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian held a webinar on September 22 for the USEF Amateur Task Force to update US Equestrian members on recent progress since the initial webinar in early August . USEF Amateur Task Force representatives Lisa Blackstone and Caitlin Creel presented proposed changes to the USEF Amateur Rule based on the work of the task force this year and member feedback. The team also presented the results of the recent member survey in preparation for the proposed rules to enter...

San Juan Capistrano, Calif. – With a record number of entries at this year’s Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West, reaching the top of the leaderboard required exceptional skill and smart riding across four phases of competition, and Zoe Brown proved that she has what it takes. The 16-year-old from Redwood City, Calif., piloted The Original, a 2014 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by her father and trainer, Harley Brown, to victory from a field of...

Ocala, Fla. - Five USEF Advanced Combined Driving National Champions were crowned at Live Oak International in Ocala, Fla. Chester Weber claimed a historic 17 th title in the USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Horse Combined Driving National Championship. Chester Weber (Erin Gilmore Photography) Weber (Ocala, Fla.), the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 individual silver and team gold medalist, commanded the lead in the USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Combined Driving National Championship from...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the final list of athletes named to the 2020 USEF Eventing 25 Emerging Athlete Program, following four program Assessment Sessions hosted during the month of January in Ocala, Fla., Aiken, S.C., and Temecula, Calif. The USEF Eventing 25 Program offers athletes 25 years of age and under access to coaching and mentorship opportunities with Developing and Emerging Coach Leslie Law. Leslie will work within each athlete’s existing...

Enschede, the Netherlands – Tamie Smith and Mai Baum were the highest placed combination of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ The Netherlands hosted at the Military Boekelo CCIO4*-L in Enschede, the Netherlands, earning a final score of 31.9 for 11th place out of a competitive field of 97 starters. The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team, comprised of Tamie Smith, Liz Halliday-Sharp, Jennie Brannigan and reserve Matt Flynn, was led under the guidance of...