Lexington, Ky. - Mette Rosencrantz of Topanga, Cal. was grinning from ear to ear as she accepted congratulations for becoming the first Finals champion crowned in 2014. Her long journey all the way from the West Coast ultimately proved worthwhile as she guided Anne Solbraekke's elegant black Hanoverian gelding De Noir 3 (De Niro x Maharani by Matcho) to a resounding victory in the Open Intermediate I Championship, earning the unanimous win under all three judges for a total score of 72.632%....

Lexington, Ky. - Patti Blackmore (Louisiana, Mo., Region 4) placed third at last year's Finals in the First Level Adult Amateur division, and this year she improved upon that performance to claim the Second Level Adult Amateur Championship aboard her own Hanoverian gelding Rubico (by Rotspon). As the only combination to break seventy percent, they earned a decisive win with a total score of 71.905%. "I breathed a sigh of relief after our counter canter portion of the test," laughed...

Lexington, Ky. - Chris Welton, CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), has announced the creation of new senior staff position: Chief Commercial Officer. The position, overseeing all aspects of communications, marketing, and network/media assets, will be filled by John W. (Josh) Taylor. Taylor brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing, promotion, and sponsorship. He was founder and managing partner of Midlantic Ltd., a promotional marketing agency serving a variety of...

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing 25 Program continued to identify and educate top up-and-coming riders in 2014. The comprehensive program incorporated all aspects of horsemanship in intensive winter training sessions, and continues education with Team Coach David O’Connor throughout the competition season helped riders reach new heights in the competition arena. Meghan O’Donoghue (Carbondale, Ill.) has excelled in the Eventing 25...

Waco, Texas - The National Collegiate Equestrian Association on Tuesday announced its October Riders of the Month, as determined by the NCEA selection committee and honoring standout performances from the second month of collegiate equestrian. Equitation Over Fences Rider of the Month: Kaitlin Perry, TCU • Recorded a perfect 3-0 record in Equitation Over Fences for the month of October, earning one MVP honor. • Each of her three victories came away from home. • Averaged a score...

Lexington, Ky. - The 2015 United States Equestrian Federation Dressage Tests have been published on USEF.org. The 2015 Tests will be effective December 1, 2014 through November 30, 2018. In addition to the 2015 USEF Dressage Test booklet, the USEF has collaborated with the United States Dressage Federation to produce the On the Levels app, which provides examples of the new Introductory through Fourth level dressage tests with commentary from top U.S. trainers and judges, with segments geared...

Lexington, Ky. - The National Horse Show is steeped in history, and the 2014 Grand Champion Junior Hunter is a horse that is not only adding to that history, but creating quite the legacy for himself as well. Tori Colvin and Ovation (Emily Riden/Phelps Media Group) "In the history of the [United States Equestrian Federation] and the [American Horse Show Association] there has never been a Small Junior Working Hunter that has won as many of the big ones as he has. You're looking at an animal...

Lexington, Ky. - The final day of the $65,000 Sleepy P Ranch & Deeridge Farm Under 25 Championship at the 131st National Horse Show ultimately came down to two demanding rounds and an upset in the ranks as Shawn Casady and Twister made a comeback to seal the victory. Casady jumped from the fourth position to the first with a double clear today, finishing on a total of 6 penalties to lead the victory gallop for the inaugural championship. Shawn Casady and Twister (Shawn McMillen Photography)...

Lexington, Ky. - The National Horse Show is steeped in history, and the 2014 Grand Champion Junior Hunter is a horse that is not only adding to that history, but creating quite the legacy for himself as well. Tori Colvin and Ovation (Emily Riden/Phelps Media) "In the history of the [United States Equestrian Federation] and the [American Horse Show Association] there has never been a Small Junior Working Hunter that has won as many of the big ones as he has. You're looking at an animal that...

Lexington, Ky. - It was a race to the finish today during the Amalaya Investments $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SJHOF) Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship, presented by the Nusz Family, at the National Horse Show. Thirty-one of the East Coast's most talented horse and rider combinations competed in the series finale, but it was Chicago's Catherine Tyree and Don't Go who proved that they have what it takes to go to the top. They shattered Tori Colvin's time by over two seconds...