Omaha, Neb. – The FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final began Wednesday at the FEI World Cup™ Finals Omaha 2023 with 40 combinations completing Round I, which was scored in a faults-converted format. The speed track designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) proved challenging with its lines and tight turns. Three U.S. combinations finished in the top 12 after day one, with Hunter Holloway and Pepita Con Spita leading the way in eighth place. “I thought it was going to end up the...

Omaha, Neb. – The U.S. dressage and vaulting combinations had their horse inspections on Tuesday to prepare for the start of the FEI World Cup™ Finals Omaha 2023. With the U.S. jumping combinations having already completed their horse inspection on Monday, they had an opportunity to train in the main arena before competition begins Wednesday. Alice Tarjan presents Serenade MF at the dressage horse inspection (Shannon Brinkman Photo) The FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final presented...

The last three years have been a time of great change throughout the country for homes, businesses and industries. Rising costs of living, shrinking of assistance and changes in demographics have affected so much of our world, and that includes the equine industry. However, not all of the changes are easy to identify. This is why the American Horse Council (AHC), together with US Equestrian, has kicked off what could be one of the biggest studies in more than 50 years with the 2023 National...

Natalie Dean and Acota M (Matt Turer/US Equestrian) Omaha, Neb. – As the start of competition at the FEI World Cup™ Finals Omaha 2023 approaches, the U.S. jumping combinations took one step closer with the completion of Monday’s jumping horse inspection. All U.S. horses passed and head into Tuesday, April 4’s jumping training at 1 p.m. CT. The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final competition officially begins Wednesday, April 5, at 7:15 p.m. CT with the First...

Carol Lavell, a renowned international dressage athlete, trainer, and instructor, passed away on March 27, 2023, at her home in Fairview, N.C., at age 79. Carol Lavell and Gifted at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. ©Bob Langrish Lavell was a frequent U.S. Dressage Team member from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. With the Hanoverian gelding Gifted, Lavell led the U.S. team to team bronze at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. The pair were part of the U.S. dressage teams for the inaugural FEI...

Lexington, Ky. -- Kevin Freeman was a renowned and distinguished equestrian in the United States, competing in three different Olympic Games for the U.S. Eventing Team. Freeman was born in Portland, Ore., in 1941 and grew up riding on the west coast before attending Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He received his MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, Pa., before beginning his professional riding career in California after his graduation....

Lexington, Ky. -- US Equestrian (USEF) announces the appointment of Laura Roberts from Director of Dressage Performance and Event Support to Managing Director of Dressage. Roberts assumes the duties of former Managing Director of Dressage, Hallye Griffin, who was named Director of FEI Sport on March 22. Laura Roberts, US Equestrian Managing Director of Dressage. (©Taylor Pence/US Equestrian) “Over the past five years, I have worked closely with Hallye Griffin, alongside our USEF...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes who will represent the U.S. in dressage, jumping, and vaulting at the 2023 FEI World Cup™ Finals. The Finals will be held in Omaha, Neb., April 4-8, 2023. U.S. Dressage The following athlete-and-horse combinations will represent U.S. Dressage and are listed in alphabetical order: Anna Buffini (San Diego, Calif.) and FRH Davinia la Douce, her own 2007 Hanoverian mare Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and...

Lexington, Ky. -- US Equestrian announces the appointment of Anna Brooks Thomas as Director of Driving. Thomas joins the organization after nearly two years with the University of Virginia athletics department football office in the Atlantic Coast Conference, where she most recently served as Director of Player Engagement (March 2022-23) and previously served as Assistant Director of Football Operations (June 2021-March 2022). Anna Brooks Thomas, US Equestrian Director of Driving (©US...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to welcome six new USEF Community Outreach Organizations to become part of the USEF Community Outreach Program . The USEF Community Outreach Program, launched in 2021, is dedicated to supporting organizations across the country that provide equine-based learning opportunities and support the positive impact horses can have within their local communities. These organizations will be recognized as USEF Community Outreach Organizations and are united...