Lexington, Ky. - The USEF launched a pilot "high performance" training program in 2012/2013 with approximately twenty drivers attending one or more clinics held in Kentucky, Florida, and North Carolina. Since there are limited training opportunities for driving at the USEF/FEI levels, the opportunity to train with an International Four-in-Hand driver and coach was overwhelmingly positive. To further this program, it is the intention of the USEF to roll out the 2014 Developing Driver Program...

On their way to a win, Lisa Goldman and Centurion B on course in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Ocala (ESI Photography) Ocala, Fla. - Lisa Goldman proved that warm weather suits her this week at HITS Ocala. Just two days before bringing her horses to Florida, the temperatures at her home in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois plummeted to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Sunday, however, Goldman and her family-owned Centurion B basked in the southern sunshine while jumping to a win in...

Natasha Werpy and Liberty jump to a win in the $10,000 Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult High Jumper Classic at HITS Ocala (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - All eyes were on children and adult jumpers Saturday afternoon at HITS Ocala as 43 competitors took to the $10,000 Marshall & Sterling Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic. Ten returned for the jump-off, but it was Natasha Werpy of Gainesville, Florida who bested the field in the irons of Liberty, a striking 12-year-old...

Holly Shepherd pilots Skymiles over an oxer in the covered arena in Pensacola to the Nutrena Grand Prix win Pensacola, Fla. - TThe Pensacola community flocked to the Escambia Equestrian Center last night to watch world class show jumping action in the $25,000 Nutrena Grand Prix last night during the second week of the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola shows. A seasoned group of grand prix riders as well as newcomers to the scene made up the order of go. Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville,...

Adrienne Lyle and Wizard during a training session with USEF Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Robert Dover (USEF Archive) Lexington, Ky. - The first USEF Dressage Observation & Strategic Planning Session of 2014 took place earlier this week at Havensafe Farm South in Wellington, Fla. Lead by Robert Dover, USEF Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor, the session provided training and strategic guidance for athletes as they look toward international competition and the 2014 Alltech FEI World...

Lisa Goldman and Centurion B (ESI Photography) Ocala, Fla. - Lisa Goldman won three grand prix during her first appearance at the Ocala Winter Circuit last year, and hasn’t skipped a beat since. She returned with a bang this week, winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, to kick off grand prix competition at this year’s circuit. Riding for her family-owned Red Coat Farm in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, Goldman piloted Centurion B to the win. Last year, Goldman and...

Christian Heineking and NKH Selena (Flying Horse Photography) Thermal Calif. - With the 2014 HITS Desert Circuit set to open its gates to seven weeks of competition on Tuesday, Christian Heineking is riding high as he makes his debut in Thermal, California as the leading rider on the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix Rider Standings. With a barn of 15 horses making their winter home at HITS Thermal, Heineking is primed to leave his mark on the Desert Circuit and is hopeful that his early leverage will...

Scott Stewart and Lucador (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Lucador and Scott Stewart were awarded top honors in the Green Conformation Hunter division, presented by Shapley's Grooming Supplies, on Wednesday afternoon of the FTI WEF. Stewart and Lucador took home the championship prize for the second week in a row after an incredible sweep of the division during Week 2 of the FTI WEF. The pair ultimately won all six classes in the division. Reserve champion for the division was High Regard,...

Lexington, Ky. - The USEF and USET Foundation have come together in 2014 through a gift from USET Foundation Trustee Betsy Juliano and Havensafe Farm to host the first ever USEF/USET Foundation Dressage Pipeline Clinic, January 28-29, 2014 at the Global Dressage Grounds in Wellington, Fla. This clinic will showcase the U.S. dressage pipeline of athletes and horses with the four USEF Dressage Coaches: Robert Dover, USEF Chef d'Equipe/Technical Advisor; Debbie McDonald, USEF Developing Coach;...

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Federation (USEF) has named Kai Handt as the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor. The Search Committee, chaired by Eric Straus, USEF Para-Equestrian Eligible Athlete Committee, and USEF Para-Equestrian High Performance Kai Handt (USEF Archive) Committee recommended Handt for this position. Handt (Wylie, Texas) has a great depth of experience in the equestrian world as a competitor, trainer, and coach. Since August of 1985, Handt...