Dear Supporter of Para-Equestrian Dressage, I am writing this Open Letter as it appears, from some of the feedback we have received, that we have not been completely successful in communicating the aim of the Centers of Excellence (COEs) or what we are asking facility owners to commit to. The primary aim of COEs is that they are the focus for the development of Para-Equestrian Dressage in the U.S. As a Federation, we cannot reach out to all potential para-equestrian athletes, we need Centers...

Stellenbosch, South Africa – The U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team has traveled overseas to compete in the 2015 South Africa Saddle Seat Invitational, September 16-19. A talented group of young athletes will go head-to-head with South Africa’s top saddle seat equitation riders at the Mistico Equestrian Centre in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The 11 athletes that make up the Travel Team have participated in training sessions with coaches Kelly Kraegel (Guthrie, Okla.) and Sarah Lawson...

Gladstone, N.J. -The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its new U.S. Equestrian Team Registry . With the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro now less than a year away, our United States Equestrian Team athletes need assistance to prepare for the Games. To help them get ready to demonstrate the excellence of American horsemanship for the entire world to see, you can lend a hand by gifting a Registry item today. The United States is one of the...

Fábiánsebestyén, Hungary – Kathrin Dancer drove accurately through the cones to finish fifth in the final phase of the 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs today with a time of 3:07.37. She led the U.S. team, consisting of Jacob Arnold and Scott Dancer, throughout the entire competition and concludes these championships with an 18th-place finish. The U.S. finished ninth overall with a score of 391.6. “This was such a great experience. It was such an...

Fábiánsebestyén, Hungary – The 2015 FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs got underway at Kinizsi Park Thursday with the dressage phase. Jacob Arnold and Scott Dancer performed their test on Thursday with half the field. Kathrin Dancer completed her test today and currently sits in 28th place to lead the U.S. team with a score of 60.05. After the first phase of competition, the U.S. stands in ninth place with a score of 122.3. The judges had particularly high...

Breda, Netherlands – Tracey Morgan wrapped up a successful showing at the Singles Pony World Driving Championship Sunday with an eighth place finish in the cones phase. Morgan and her own Fuego 88 will leave Breda with a 19th place finish and score of 180.6 overall behind the 2015 World Single Pony Champion Fabian Gänshirt of Germany and World Single Pony Reserve Champion, Martin Hölle of Hungary. Gänshirt earned an overall score of 156.88 and Hölle finished with a...

Chris Sorensen (second left) of Canada and Wriomf won the Equis Best Turned-Out Horse and Presenter Award at the Hampton Classic. (McMillen photo) Bridgehampton, N.Y. - Cesar Hirsch wants the horse inspection required at all FEI-recognized show jumping competitions to be a big deal, so this year his Equis equestrian boutique began sponsoring an award for the Best Turned-Out Horse and Presenter. Canadian rider Chris Sorensen, with Wriomf, was named the winner of the first Equis Best Turned-Out...

Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM on their way to winning Richland Park CIC3*. (USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo) Buck Davidson was all about the scoring predictions this weekend and once again he was right, knowing he could have a little bit of time on Ian Stark’s cross-country course and still bring home the blue ribbon. This is the second time that Davidson and Carl and Cassandra Segal’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Ballynoe Castle RM have won the Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3*...

Wayne, Ill. – Today, 29 combinations kicked off the 2015 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. at the Lamplight Equestrian Center with three tests: the FEI Young Rider Team Test, the FEI Junior Team Test, and the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test. FEI Young Rider Team Test It has been five years since Kerrigan Gluch (Wellington, Fla.) performed in a competition at Lamplight Equestrian Center when she appeared in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals as a 13-year-old. She...

Emanuel Andrade and Clouwni (Kendall Bierer) Lexington, Ky. – Three months ago, 18-year-old Emanuel Andrade and recent mount Clouwni rode to the top of the $34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3* during the Kentucky Spring Classic. Sunday, on the final day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, Andrade mimicked his spring effort, riding to a 1-2 finish with Clouwni finishing at the pinnacle of the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix leader board, and claiming second place with veteran...