Breaking US Equestrian news releases contain the latest information regarding the organization, national championships, U.S. athletes and teams in international competition, breed news, and important member alerts. Manage the news you receive at the US Equestrian Preference Center.

This Week in International Disciplines - July 7

by USEF Communications Department | 7/7/2011 11:25:57 AM

Eventing Will Faudree and DHI Colour Candy. Photo by stockimageservices.com. In preparation of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the CIC2* Greenwich Park Eventing Invitational was held as the London Test Event. Piggy French of Great Britain lead from start to finish with DHI Topper W, finishing on her dressage score of 34.70 in front of the stunning backdrop of Greenwich Park. Michael Jung of Germany and River of Joy came in second, while Pippa Funnell of Great Britain and Billy Shannon...

Sun Shines on Opening Day of Horse Shows by the Bay

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 7/6/2011 12:49:45 PM

Erynn Ballard and Fun 2 Fly (Photo by Robyn Keyster/PMG). Traverse City, MI - A few lingering clouds gave way to brilliant sunshine this morning at the Horse Shows by the Bay equestrian festival in beautiful Traverse City, MI. Held each year in one of the country's premier vacation destinations, Horse Shows by the Bay will welcome thousands of equestrians over the next four weeks. Hundreds of horse and rider combinations have arrived already, with many putting on powerful performances this...

HITS Culpeper Returns This Week with a Full Slate of Classes at Commonwealth Park

by HITS Media | 7/5/2011 12:35:36 PM

Culpeper, VA – Show jumping action is set to resume this week in the heart of Virginia’s horse country at HITS Culpeper. The Showday National (July 6-10) will kick off the series, followed by the Cavalier Classic (July 13-17) at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, VA. Each week will feature a full schedule of competition from beginner level to high-performance classes. Entries are strong for both shows and HITS is expecting some fierce competition as both hunter and jumper riders...

Louise Serio and Rock On Win $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Swan Lake Stables Kickoff "AA" Show

by Heather Bellock for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 7/5/2011 12:25:34 PM

Louise Serio and Rock On at Brandywine Valley Summer Series (Photo by PMG). Littlestown, PA - It was an excellent week for the horses and riders of Derbydown during the Swan Lake Stables Kickoff "AA" Show, held June 21 - 26 at Swan Lake Stables. The talented Louise Serio took home three tricolor ribbons throughout the competition. Serio also earned the win in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with Jennifer Burger's Rock On. The talented group of riders at Derbydown earned...

10 Questions with ... Dressage Superstar Guenter Seidel

by Stephanie Doyle | 7/3/2011 10:56:36 AM

Guenter Seidel and Aragon (Photo by Mary Phelps) Thank you USEF Facebook fans for your questions for Guenter Seidel. For the next "10 Questions With..." please visit www.facebook.com/USEquestrian Guenter Seidel Born : September 23, 1960 Hometown : Cardiff, CA Guenter Seidel is a native of Germany who moved to the U.S. in 1985 and has contributed significantly to U.S. dressage. Seidel helped the U.S. win the Team Bronze medal at three consecutive Olympic Games – 1996, 2000 and 2004 - with...

Pope, Cosper and Hartman Claim 2011 USEF National Youth Reining Championship Titles

by Stephanie Doyle | 7/3/2011 10:33:54 AM

Oklahoma City, OK - Michael Pope's 7-year-old horse, Whizota, "tried his heart out" and that determination edged the pair over their competitors into first place. Pope, Elizabeth Cosper and Olivia Hartman were crowned USEF National Youth Reining champions of three separate age groups at Saturday's 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. The Youth qualified for the USEF Championships by earning points in Qualifying Classes throughout the country in 2010-2011. Pope, a...

Andrea Fappani Rides Tinker With Guns to the NRHA Level 4 Open Derby Championship

by Katie Hendrickson | 7/2/2011 10:00:21 AM

Oklahoma City, OK – The 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby showcased the $155,000-added Open Derby finals on Saturday, July 1 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. The NRHA Derby Show is the NRHA’s premiere event for the world’s best four-, five- and six-year-old reining horses and hosts to two slates of ancillary classes. During the go-round, 428 entries competed for a spot in the finals with 69 of the top-scoring horse-and-rider teams...

Ruckman and Rufanicki Win Four NRHA Non Pro Derby Championships

by Christa Morris/NRHA | 7/1/2011 11:51:59 PM

Oklahoma City, OK – The 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby featured the $40,000-added Level 4 Non Pro; $22,500-added Level 3 Non Pro; $12,500-added Level 2 Non Pro; $7,500-added Level 1 Non Pro and $5,000-added Prime Time Non Pro division finals on Friday, July 1, at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of the original 546 entries, the top 58 qualified to compete in Friday’s finals. Shaunda Rai Ruckman of Scottsdale, AZ, continued her stellar year...

Samantha Griffin Wins NRHA’s First $15,000-added 7 & Up Non Pro Derby

by Katie Hendrickson/NRHA | 7/1/2011 9:57:00 AM

Oklahoma City, OK - A highlight of Thursday’s competition at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby Show was the inaugural $15,000-added 7 & Up Non Pro Derby, which featured 25 entries aboard their experienced reining horses, age seven and older. Samantha Griffin of De Winton, Alberta, Canada, and Dun Playin Tag dominated the 7 & Up Non Pro Derby by scoring a 225 – 5.5 points ahead of the competition. The seven-year-old gelding, owned by her father Lance Griffin...

Clean Sweep of Musical Freestyles for Yvonne Barteau at Dressage By the Bay

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 7/1/2011 9:48:11 AM

Yvonne Barteau and GP Delano (Photo by Diana Hadsall). Traverse City, MI - For Yvonne Barteau and KYB Dressage, the journey north from Maple Park, IL, proved to be quite fruitful as she and her mounts GP Raymeister and GP Delano took home both blue ribbons in this week's feature money events. GP Raymeister scored a 74.5% to win the $2500 FEI Grand Prix Musical Freestyle while GP Delano won the $1500 FEI Intermediare I Musical Freesyle with a score of 75%. Both horses are owned by Grand Prix...