To the surprise of many, two-time Olympic team bronze medalist Steffen Peters entered the arena on Thursday to begin the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final wearing a helmet. A traditionalist at heart, Peters made it his 2017 New Year’s resolution to drop the top hat and sport a helmet in Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) competitions. Steffen Peters sports his helmet at the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final. (Shannon Brinkman Photo) “I hung on because of a...

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...

All eyes will be on Nebraska March 29-April 2 when the FEI World Cup™ Finals will take over the CenturyLink Center Omaha with a dazzling double-header: the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals. The chance to witness history in the making is reason enough to go, but if you’re heading to Omaha, plan to catch all the special activities and events that are going on around the competition, too. Here are our seven “must-see”...

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian has named the following combinations to The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup™ CDIO3*, March 21- 25, in Wellington, Fla., at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF): Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding Direct Reserve Horse Patricia Stempel’s Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (Haymarket, Va.) and her own Lonoir, a 2004 Danish...

Live Oak International , which takes place from March 9-12 in Ocala, Fla., is unique. It’s the nation’s largest combined driving and show jumping competition, bringing these two disciplines together at a world-class level. This year, Live Oak International will draw about 275 horses from 26 countries, as well as more than 300 volunteers and about 30 competition officials, according to Live Oak International manager Damian Guthrie. Can’t be there in person? Catch all the action...

After your horse, your helmet is probably your closest partner when you’re riding or driving. Like your horse, it also requires care—and, eventually, a happy retirement! Whether your helmet is stylish, blingy, or classically elegant, it’s a crucial piece of safety equipment first and foremost, and it’s important to keep it in good condition. We asked the helmet experts at Charles Owen . Here’s what they advise: Keep it cool. Don’t store your helmet in direct...

Lexington, Ky. – Participants selected for the 2016 Eventing 25 and 18 Developing Rider Programs prepared for the competition season during winter training sessions with USEF Eventing Developing Rider Coach, Leslie Law. The training sessions, held at Meredyth South, began January 11-15 with the Eventing 25 participants, followed by the Eventing 18 riders January 18-22. Law then traveled to California to teach the West Coast Eventing 25 and Eventing 18 participants, February 1-4 at...

Verden, Germany - Today, Endel Ots completed a successful showing at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses in the Five-Year-Old Final and Six-Year-Old Small Final. Competing against some of the best up-and-coming dressage talent in the world, Ots finished 11th in the Five-Year-Old Final with Lucky Strike and 11th in the Six-Year-Old Small Final with Samhitas. Endel Ots and Lucky Strike (Karl-Heinz Frieler) USEF Young Horse Coach, Christine Traurig, was ecstatic with the...

Mia Farley and Fleeceworks Cinco (Kimberly Steinbuch) Lexington, Ky. – Participants selected for the 2015 Eventing 25 and Eventing 18 Programs prepared for the competition season by beginning the year with training sessions with USEF Eventing Developing Rider Coach Leslie Law. Making his debut in his new position, Law taught his first sessions at Tucalota Creek Ranch in Temecula, Calif., on January 11-15 for riders from the West Coast in both programs. Next heading to Meredyth South in...

Temecula, Calif. - Nicci Guzetta, on Queen of Spades, and Tamra Smith, on Irish Blend, won divisions of the Training Level Three-Day Event at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. Smith, of Murrieta, Calif., and Irish Blend added nothing to their dressage score of 38.3 to win division A, over Kristen Schalk on Comet’s Flight (38.6) and Max Gerdes on Rhythm Royale (40.4). Guzetta, of San Jose, Calif., stood third after two days, but a faultless show jumping round vaulted her to...