Lexington, KY - At the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Board of Directors mid-year meeting on Monday, July 22nd, some significant rule and bylaw changes were brought to the table. The changes concerned horse welfare, the structure of the USEF Board of Directors, and the discipline of western dressage. Each of the changes brought forth received a majority vote to approve and a summary of each change is detailed below. Horse Welfare Changes Two important Proposed Extraordinary Rule...

Kristi Nunnink & R-Star after winning the Event at Rebecca Farm CIC3* (USEA) Kalispel, MT - R-Star has done it again. For the second consecutive year, this grey Holsteiner mare by Riverman, has won the CIC3* at The Event at Rebecca Farm rising from fifth after cross-country to first with an accurately ridden round over the Marc Donovan designed show jumping course. Katie Ruppel and Houdini took down just one rail to move up to second ahead of Katie Groesbeck and Oz The Tin Man who moved...

Margaret O'Meara rode Voice of Reason to the top of the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter Championship, also capturing the reserve championship with Casino (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Wayne, IL - It was the perfect weather at Lamplight Equestrian Center to welcome champions into the winner's circle for the conclusion of Equifest I. The Amateur-Owner Hunters and Junior Hunter divisions wrapped up the weeklong competition. Samantha Hall and Beyond Time took home the Junior Hunter Championship, while...

Ammeretto and David Beisel (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, MI - David Beisel and Ammeretto saved their best for last. After winning the first class they contested during the 2013 Horse Shows by the Bay Series on July 4, they finally picked up their second blue ribbon today during the $30,000 D-Braider Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix. "It was worth the wait, for sure," said Beisel, who also notched his first grand prix win aboard the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Numero...

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra won Thursday's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic (Rebecca Walton) Lexington, KY - Following his win in Thursday night's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, Pablo Barrios has leapt to the top of the leader board for the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. Barrios and his talented mare Zara Leandra were the winners of the first class in May, and with a speedy clear round during Thursday's event they bested a 15-horse jump-off for another victory. Richie Moloney...

Katie Ruppel and Houdini (USEA) The Adequan USEA Gold Cup CIC3* kicked off Friday at The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana with some beautiful tests ridden in perfect weather conditions. Warm sunshine, little to no humidity, and gentle breezes allowed the riders to coax the very best out of their horses. The Event at Rebecca Farm is also one of the PRO Tour Series events with riders and horses competing for points on the PRO leaderboards. Katherine Groesbeck and Oz Proof of Purchase...

Molly Mcadow and Barina captured the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby victory at Equifest I (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Wayne, IL - It was a day to remember for Molly Mcadow as she laid down the winning rounds during the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The Lamplight Equestrian Center was packed with exhibitors and spectators for the third day of Equifest I, and although the skies were gray and torrents of rain poured down from above, the derby contenders were not deterred. Mcadow led the victory...

Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - It was another picturesque day at the Kentucky Horse Park as the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers took center stage in the Rolex Stadium. Only two riders produced perfect rounds in the High Junior Jumpers, and it was Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z who had the time in the jump-off to capture the win. In the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers Haley Schaufeld aboard Harley 86 won a foot race between five riders....

Samantha Segedy and Nandino (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, MI - Even though Samantha Segedy stood third with Nandino after the Classic Round of the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Walgreens, she didn't return for the Handy Round seeking a victory. Instead, Segedy's goal was to give Mrs. Ellen Malson's 5-year-old Brandenberg gelding more experience in the show ring. "I told his owner before the Handy Round that even if he drops in placing my goal was to...

Jill Knowles and C'est Si Bon (Emily Riden) Lexington, KY - In English the phrase "c'est si bon" translates to "it's so good." It's a fitting name for a horse who's Performance 3'6" Hunter rounds Thursday at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show were 'so good.' Jill Knowles and C'est Si Bon claimed the blue ribbon in the Performance 3'6" Handy Hunter class and the division championship Thursday, the second day of the 'AA' rated show running now through July...