Jennifer Fox (left) and Anne Kursinski (right) speak during the SafeSport Panel (Photo by Taylor Pence/US Equestrian) Last year was a breakthrough year for legislation and education surrounding the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Code and the US Equestrian Safe Sport Policy and requirements for its members. In the wake of the #metoo movement and over 200 gymnasts who came forward about abuse they suffered at the hands of Larry Nassar, equestrians and non-equestrians alike stepped forward to...

Rutledge and C Me Fly USEF CCI1* Eventing National Champions (Brant Gamma Photo) Lexington, Va. – On the final day of the Virginia Horse Trials, Colleen Rutledge and C Me Fly jumped a clear round in the third and final phase of the USEF CCI1* Eventing National Championship to claim the title. In the USEF CCI1*-JR/YR Eventing National Championship, it was Isabel Finemore and Rutherglen that emerged victorious, also jumping clear to become national champions. In contention for the top spot...

Mill Spring, N.C. – On the final day of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) Tryon 2018, the NetJets U.S. Jumping Team showed their strength and depth with all four riders finishing in the top-16 of the FEI World Jumping Individual Championship. The team’s top finisher was McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) on Clinta, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare he owns with Sagamore Farm. They just missed the medal podium, placing fourth.. Ward with Clinta (Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photo) Ward...

Mill Spring, N.C. - Dr. Ken Marcella is a member of the USEF Endurance Veterinary Advisory Group, a Fédération Équestre Internationale 4*-rated official endurance veterinarian, and owner of KLM Equine in Canton, Ga. What is a control exam and why is it important? Endurance is unique in that, during an event, there are numerous times horses will be examined and checked to ensure that they are sound, metabolically stable, and tolerating the demands of the competition on that...

As part of the Annual Meeting’s new moderated forums, US Equestrian’s Director of Sport Programs, Will Connell, made a proposal that the organization should develop a registration process for coaches. And, Connell posited, such a registry—with requirements as well as benefits for participating coaches—would not only improve equestrianism and make it safer for equestrians, but also enhance the nation’s international competitiveness. “If we want to get more...

I would describe today as a Between Day; somewhere between good and bad, and for my persona, somewhere varying between “sociably acceptable and bear with sore head and irritated butt”. There is a standing guideline within the British Military called the 1/3rd - 2/3rd Rule – of the time available, use 1/3rd for your own planning leaving 2/3rds for your subordinates. I think it works in reverse when preparing for the first arrival of horses, grooms, staff and OMG..they are...

Wellington, Fla. – The first of three days of prestigious National Championship competition got underway today at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival grounds as competitors performed their first tests in the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. Taking an early lead in The Dutta Corp./USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship were Christina Vinios and Folkestone. In the hotly contested Grand Prix division, Laura Graves and Verdades sit atop the...

Katy, Texas – Rebecca Hart and Kate Shoemaker carried the momentum from yesterday’s Team Tests into the Individual Tests to remain on top of the standings for the 2015 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships. Hart sits on an overall score of 58.973% for the advantage in the CPEDI3* Championship High Performance division. Shoemaker’s overall score of 56.495% leads the CPEDI1* Championship National division. Today’s scores count another 40% towards the...

Mikala Gundersen and My Lady (Hoof Print Images) Devon, Pa. – With the sun actually peeking out from behind the clouds, the rescheduled FEI Grand Prix Freestyle took place Sunday morning. It was ladies day with female riders claiming the top three places. My Lady, a bay Danish Warmblood owned by Janne Rumbough, danced into first place under the guidance of her rider, Mikala Gundersen. My Lady, who also won last night’s Grand Prix Freestyle Qualifier, demonstrated even more of her...

North Salem, NY - It was a perfect day at Old Salem Farm as the 2015 American Gold Cup got underway with some of the world's top athletes competing on the Grand Prix Field. With record entries, the highlight event of the day, the $8,000 Douglas Elliman FEI Open Jumper speed class was separated into two sections. Abigail McArdle with Cosma 20 and Heather Caristo-Williams aboard Wistful each picked up victories after clocking in under the 56 second mark. Rounding out the day, Ireland's...