Breaking US Equestrian news releases contain the latest information regarding the organization, national championships, U.S. athletes and teams in international competition, breed news, and important member alerts. Manage the news you receive at the US Equestrian Preference Center.

Updates to Annex A, a supplement to the USEF Dressage Rules, Now Available to Review

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 5/7/2026 10:00:00 AM

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian requests that members review Annex A , a supplement to the USEF Dressage Rules, which reflects updates effective as of the May publication. Annex A is available on the USEF website in the Dressage Rules & Equipment section under Forms and Publications. Key updates to Annex A include: Certain bits, saddlery, and equipment previously not permitted are now allowed at USEF/USDF Dressage competitions; all changes or additions are highlighted in yellow....

Ellesse Gundersen and Quintessential 4 Rise to Top in USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with 70.042% in Grand Prix Special Test

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 5/15/2026 5:52:00 PM

Ocala, Fla. – Ellesse Gundersen and Quintessential 4 showcased their potential again this week, topping the FEI Grand Prix Special Test on Friday, May 15, 2026, as part of the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, earning a 70.042% from the judging panel. Christian Simonson and Fleau de Baian took second with a score of 69.808%. Jodie Kelly-Baxley and Grayton Beach finished in third place overall with a 69.234%. The USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship will conclude...

Ellesse Gundersen and Quintessential 4 Crowned Winners of 2026 USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 5/17/2026 5:59:00 AM

Ocala, Fla. – Ellesse Gundersen and Quintessential 4 were crowned national champions under the lights at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) on Saturday, May 17, 2026, after finishing atop the overall leaderboard of the US Equestrian (USEF) Grand Prix Dressage National Championship following three days of competition. The pair concluded their week with a score of 76.055% in the Grand Prix Freestyle to secure their title on a final combined championship score of 71.082%. Ashley...

US Equestrian Announces Combinations for USEF Eventing European Developing Tour and Defender U.S. Eventing Team for FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Bicton CCIO4*-NC-S

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 5/14/2026 12:30:00 PM

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the combinations selected to represent the Defender U.S. Eventing Team as part of the USEF Eventing European Development Tour, which will feature the FEI Eventing Nations Cup Bicton CCIO4*-NC-S, hosted in Devon, England, from May 27-31, 2026. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Leslie Law. The 2026 USEF Eventing European Development Tour is supported by the USET Foundation, Karen E. Stives Endowment Grant, which aims to support...

Christian Simonson and Indian Rock Lead the Way After Grand Prix Test at 2026 USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 5/13/2026 3:42:00 PM

Ocala, Fla. – The USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship opened with a morning of competition on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, featuring 16 entries vying for top scores in the Grand Prix test. The USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship is held at World Equestrian Center – Ocala in Ocala, Fla. The national championship, which has traditionally been included in the annual USEF Festival of Champions hosted later in the summer, will be featured for the first time in more than...

2026 USEF Grand Prix National Championship Get Underway at World Equestrian Center – Ocala

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 5/12/2026 8:55:00 PM

Ocala, Fla. – The 2026 USEF Dressage Grand Prix National Championship will begin this morning at 8:00 a.m. ET with the first day of competition at World Equestrian Center – Ocala, set to feature 16 of the top Grand Prix combinations in the country. The national championship, which has traditionally been included in the annual USEF Festival of Champions hosted later in the summer, will be featured for the first time in more than ten years as a standalone championship, while also...

HSH Blake and Pamukcu Sit as Top Americans on Day Two of 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L presented by MARS Equestrian™

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 4/24/2026 8:18:00 PM

Lexington, Ky . – The dressage phase of the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L presented by MARS Equestrian™ concluded on Friday, April 24 with Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake finishing as the highest-placed U.S. combination to be the overnight leaders in the Defender/USEF CCI5*-L Eventing National Championship. The duo is currently in fourth place overall on a dressage score of 26.6. Tamie Smith and Danito maintain their lead in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, atop the...

Jacob Arnold and Jazandro G.T. Earn USEF Combined Driving National Championship for Advanced Single Horses Honors at Katydid CDE

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 4/27/2026 2:20:00 PM

Tryon, N.C. – Jacob Arnold (Paris, Ky.) and Jazandro G.T. finished a stellar weekend at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), topping the USEF Combined Driving National Championship for Advanced Single Horses with a final score of 139.10 across three phases. This is Arnold and Jazandro G.T.’s first national championship title as a partnership. Leslie Berndl (Lexington, Ky.) and Impressive earned reserve national champion honors, finishing the weekend on a score of 157.55....

EHV-1 Is Here to Stay; Here’s What We Do About It

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 4/27/2026 9:14:00 AM

Many horse owners become acutely aware of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) when there’s an outbreak or a reported positive test in your local community. The reality is that EHV is a permanent part of the equine environment – not just at horse shows, but across the population. ©US Equestrian/Devyn Trethewey Virtually all horses are exposed to the EHV-1 virus at a young age, and the virus hides out (is “latent”) in most horses without causing symptoms. The virus is...

Will Coleman and Diabolo Victorious in 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L presented by MARS Equestrian

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 4/26/2026 7:58:00 PM

Lexington, Ky. – Will Coleman (Ocala, Fla.) and Diabolo championed a historic day at the Kentucky Horse Park, topping the leaderboard of the 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L presented by MARS Equestrian. Today marked the second time in just three years a U.S. combination has won the event after a previous 15-year drought of a home winner. The pair were impeccable throughout the competition, adding only time penalties in the show jumping phase to their dressage score to...