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...

Lexington, Ky. - The Split Rock Jumping Tour is delighted to welcome Four Points by Sheraton Lexington, Brook Ledge Horse Transportation and Horseflight among official sponsors of the second leg of their international jumping series, the Bourbon International CSI 3*, which takes place October 9-11 at Split Rock Farm in the "Horse Capital of the World", Lexington, Ky. The Split Rock Jumping Tour, a new international show jumping show series modeled after successful European shows, is creating an...

Bridgehampton, N.Y. - Highlighting the Opening Day at the 40h Hampton Classic Horse Show, sponsored by The Atlantic Hotel, was the presentation of the Long Island Sportsmanship Award, given annually to a Long Island horseperson in honor of their years of dedication. Show President Dennis Suskind presented the Long Island Sportsmanship Award to Karen Bocksel of Aquebogue, N.Y., the managing director of the Center for Therapeutic Horseback Riding on the East End (CTREE). Since 2007, the Hampton...

Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is sad to report the passing of Karen Stives on August 14, 2015. Karen passed away peacefully at her home in Dover, Massachusetts after a long illness. Karen has been heavily involved with the USET Foundation for two decades, serving as a Trustee from 1989-2002 and a member of the National Advisory Committee from 2003 - present. In 2014, Karen established the Karen E. Stives Endowment Fund for High Performance Eventing with a $1...

Lexington, KY -- August 13, 2015 -- Katie Tyler of North Kingstown, RI, has been named the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Rider of the Month for July. Tyler competes in the Amateur-Owner division in the East Conference of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series. She earned the award after earning top placings with her horse Seattle 6 at the Vermont Summer Festival Series in East Dorset VT. Their strong showing in July catapulted them into the lead in the year-long division standings. The...

Gladstone, NJ - August 12, 2015 - In the spring of 2014, Margaret H. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation launched The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage to help raise $800,000 for the discipline. Through the challenge, Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation each pledged up to $200,000, matching dollar for dollar, gift commitments of $4,000 and above. This month the goal was reached, providing the Para Dressage High Performance program with critical funding. "I am...

Ermelo, The Netherlands – The United States contingent of six individuals, two pas de deux, and one squad are set to compete at the inaugural FEI World Vaulting Championships for Juniors in Ermelo, The Netherlands August 6-9. The small, quaint town in central Holland will host a total of 21 nations including 37 individual females, 18 individual males, 11 pas de deux, and 12 squads, all competing for the coveted title of World Champion. U.S. Junior World Vaulting Championship Contingent...

Alison Robitaille and Cassinja Lexington, KY - August 1, 2015 - Alison Robitaille has traveled to the Olympics as a first alternate, competed at the World Equestrian Games and won team silver at the Pan American Games, but in recent years, as she busily brings along young horses and two young children of her own, she has been continually knocking on the door of a grand prix win. On Saturday night at the Kentucky Horse Park she knocked the door all the way down and rode away with an impressive...

Kent Farrington and Voyeur Calgary, AB, Canada – July 12, 2015 – Kent Farrington (USA) and Amalaya Investments’ Voyeur concluded the Spruce Meadows ‘Pan American’ Tournament CSI 5*, presented by Rolex, with a masterful win Sunday. Competing in the $400,000 Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex, competition ended impressively as the three highest ranked American riders in the world claimed top honors. With Farrington leading the way, Beezie Madden (USA) finished...

Devon, Pa. - The 2015 US Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast came to a close on Tuesday, following two days of competition in the historic Dover Arena at the Devon Horse Show grounds. More than 150 of the country’s top juniors headed to the championship to complete three phases in front of the judging panel of Hope Glynn, Marylisa Leffler, and Ken Smith over Skip Bailey-designed Classic Round course and Handy Hunter courses, which both counted for 40% of the overall score. The...