US Equestrian Annual Meeting attendees from across all breeds and disciplines reconvened on the morning of Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, to continue the previous day’s discussion about horse welfare in the equestrian world. Representatives from different segments of the industry shared some of the challenges and solutions they’ve seen from their community in an open session moderated by US Equestrian Chief of Sport David O’Connor. Changing Culture “We have worked tirelessly for...

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,...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian congratulates Hannah Hiiva (Roy, Wash.), recipient of the 2024 US Equestrian National Youth Sportsman’s Award. Hiiva is an active exhibitor on the Arabian circuit and serves as a Region 5 Youth Director for the Arabian Youth Horse Association. She was nominated for this award by the Arabian Horse Association . Hannah Hiiva. ©Miley DeFalco Hiiva is a junior at Yelm High School where she is active in leadership roles, including as yearbook...

Lexington, Ky. - The 2024 Heart Horse Award will be presented during the 2025 USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner on Thursday, January 23 in Lexington, Ky., as a part of the 2025 US Equestrian Annual Meeting . The Heart Horse Award finalists were selected from applications submitted by organizations in our Community Outreach Program. These horses work daily to help their communities. From helping an inner-city child through their first ride, to being a calming influence for those who need it most, these...

Thermal, Calif. – A group of 47 junior equestrians took to the arena at Desert International Horse Park on Saturday for the West Coast final of the 2024 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal. The exciting final was held at the popular venue during the National Sunshine Series II. Desi Cyr (Aspen, Colo.) secured the win with solid scores across the three phases of the final. Desi Cyr and Chatino PS. ©Avery Wallace/US Equestrian All finalists compete in the first round, which is a...

The year may be winding down, but there is still plenty of equestrian excitement from US Equestrian affiliate organizations to enjoy during the final months of 2024. Make a trip or tune in to see champions in the making from Andalusians and Lusitanos, dressage, hunters and jumpers, and hunter seat and saddle seat equitation. November 5-9, 2024 IALHA National Championship Show Fort Worth, Texas IALHA Nationals is a showcase for Baroque horses with classes for purebred and partbred Andalusian and...

Harrisburg, Pa. – Top junior equestrians were in the spotlight on the final day of the Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Sunday as the 2024 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – East took place in the Keystone Arena. A total of 46 combinations competed in the final, which takes place over three phases in a single day. Lauren Gee and Curb Service. ©Andrew Ryback Photography The USEF/NCEA Medal Finals are a test of well-rounded equestrian skills as athletes compete over a...

Leesburg, Va. – The USEF/USEA Developing Horse National Championship concluded at Morven Park International Horse Trials, with a combination awarded for their performance in the CCI2*YH-S division. The USEF/USEA Developing Horse National Championships is a joint championship between the USEF and USEA intended to identify horses with the ability to contribute positively to the USEF Elite Program with potential to achieve podium scores within the next three quadrennials. The CCI2*YH-S...

Boekelo, Netherlands – The Defender U.S. Eventing Team earned a coveted podium position at the conclusion of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Netherlands CCIO4*-NC-L, earning second place overall on a final team total of 116.1 penalties. Ireland stood atop the podium with a score of 102.6, while Germany finished in third with 131.9 combined penalties. Hallie Coon and Cute Girl finished as the highest-placed U.S. combination, earning the first individual podium for the program in more than ten...

Harrisburg, Pa. - The 2024 Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper National Championships wrapped up Saturday evening at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show with the $10,000 Turnham Green/USEF Junior Jumper Individual National Championship Phase III. The leaderboard shook up dramatically as 21 qualified riders took to the course designed by Anderson Lima. Out of three clear rounds from the night, Zone 4’s Olivia Sweetnam finished on 0 faults in 60.326. From left to right: Clara Propp, Olivia...