Dr. John Steele (Kenneth Kraus) Acclaimed veterinarian Dr. John Steele was the linchpin behind the success of some of equestrian sports’ biggest names and their mounts. Up until his passing last month, one could find the 91-year-old Dr. Steele, or “Doc,” as many throughout the equestrian sport community knew him, hustling around show grounds, administering the utmost care to his equine clients. His tireless dedication to the horse and its rider made him one of the most...

Dressage Members, Please review the MEMO regarding the FEI Dressage Tests for Seven-Year-Old Horses (Preliminary and Final Tests) and how to offer these tests at a national Dressage competitions. These FEI Tests for Seven-Year-Old Horses may be offered at any level of Dressage competition (Levels 1-5), per the directions on this memo and in line with USEF Rules . These tests are not used in the qualifying process for any 2017 Dressage National Championship. Questions can be directed to Hallye...

If you like to reward your horse with edible treats, remember to be mindful of exactly what you’re feeding: some natural ingredients, like honey and licorice, can cause an accidental drug positive. “You may think something sounds familiar and benign, but you don’t necessarily know what’s in it,” said Dr. Stephen Schumacher, DVM, chief administrator of US Equestrian’s Equine Drugs and Medications Program. “You know the plant, but you might not know what...

Lexington, Ky. – Participants selected for the 2017 Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 and 18 Programs prepared for the competition season during winter training sessions with US Equestrian Eventing Emerging Athlete Coach Leslie Law. The training sessions held at Meredyth South began January 9-12 with the Eventing 25 participants, followed by the Eventing 18 participants on January 16-19. Law then traveled to California to teach the West Coast Eventing 25 and Eventing 18 participants, January...

Lexington, Ky. - The US Equestrian Dressage Sport Committee has approved requirements for the Elite Program in 2017. In addition, they finalized plans for a revamped Development Program and selected the US Equestrian Dressage Development Coach. The newly-launched Elite Program is established to provide support and resources to athlete/horse combinations that have proven they are internationally competitive. The US Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor and Managing Director oversee the program...

Dear fellow USEF member, Last Saturday, I was formally elected to be President of the United States Equestrian Federation. I am deeply honored to have been elected to this volunteer position and am so excited to have been given this opportunity to help drive growth in equestrian sports in the United States. For those of you who don’t know me, the first thing you need to know is that I come to this position with 45 years of equestrian experience. And put simply, I love horses. Our family...

Lexington, Ky. – Parry Thomas was not simply the sharp business mastermind that revolutionized the city of Las Vegas, Nev. The equestrian community knew him as the passionate owner whose love of horses helped inspire and impact the sport of dressage. Surrounded by his supportive family, Thomas passed away peacefully on Friday, August 26, 2016, at his cherished River Grove Farm in Hailey, Idaho, at the age of 95. No one could have predicted the success that would significantly leave a...

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Following five days of Team and Individual tests, Paralympic equestrian team competition concluded Thursday afternoon at the Deodoro Equestrian Center. Rebecca Hart was first down centerline for the U.S. Team in the Grade II Individual test, scoring 67.714%. In the Grade Ia Individual test, individual competitor Roxanne Trunnell produced a score of 69.565%, while team representative, Margaret McIntosh, scored 66.217%. The U.S. finished 12th in team standings. Great...

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) regrets to announce the cancellation of the 2016 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, USEF Grand Prix and Intermediaire I National Championships. Slated to run October 12-16, 2016 in Paso Robles, Calif., the USEF High Performance Dressage Committee made the difficult decision to cancel the event following a series of challenges and logistical hurdles. In 2016, U.S. dressage marked numerous international successes including...

Lexington, Ky. - Each year, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) awards a $1,000 US Junior Hunter National Championships educational grant. In 2016, the grant went to Virginia Millie Stearns of Watkinsville, Ga. Stearns competed at the US Junior Hunter National Championship - East Coast in the 3’3” Junior Hunter division with THS Enterprise’s THS Pia-Lena. Virginia Millie Stearns riding THS Pia-Lena (Cathrin Cammett Photo) The grant is awarded annually to the...