Aurora, Colo. - The Arabian Horse Association’s (AHA) Arabian Breeders Sweepstakes program has been rewarding excellence in Arabian breeding for over 30 years. Adding excitement to the show ring through prize money, and bringing pride to breeders across North America, Sweepstakes has recently undergone some positive changes effecting its 2015 program and beyond. AHA’s Sweepstakes Trustees have made changes to the current program, based on feedback from both current Sweepstakes...

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce plans for the 2015 USEF Developing Dressage Program. The USEF Developing Dressage Program is made possible by a generous gift from Akiko Yamazaki and Red Husky Foundation through the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. Debbie McDonald returns in 2015 as USEF Developing Dressage Coach, as the program seeks to identify talented, developing combinations with potential for future team and international success. The...

L exington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and United States Eventing Association (USEA) are pleased to announce the nine athletes that have been accepted into the 2015 Eventing 18 Program. In order to be considered for the 2015 Eventing 18 Program all individuals interested in participating in the program needed to submit an application. The 2015 Eventing 18 Program athletes are: Woods Baughman - Lexington, Ky. Nicole Doolittle - Reddick, Fla. Mia Farley - San Clemente,...

Lexington, Ky. - School is almost out, but the new year of the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program is about to begin. If you know a high schooler that rides, remind them to sign up for the 2014-2015 season today. They’ll be ready to get recognized for their hard work as equestrians, and they’ll save $5 on the application fee if they sign up before June 1. After June 1, the price to apply will increase to $15. Interested students can log into their My USEF My Way account and...

Over the weekend of February 28 - March 2, 2014, combined drivers gathered at the beautiful Grand Oaks Resort in Weirsdale, Fla. for the first in a series of clinics to be conducted this year as part of the innovative USEF Developing Driver Program (DDP). After an overwhelming amount of interest from the driving community, nine participants from seven states were selected for this intensive training Colten Parker of Batavia, Ohio receives coaching from Thorsten Zarembowicz during the first...

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...

Jacob Arnold will begin a mentorship under Chester Weber in January 2014 (PicsofYou.com) Ocala, Fla. - New year. New opportunities. Just ask Jacob Arnold, who begins a mentorship under Chester Weber in January 2014 as the inaugural apprentice driver in the Live Oak Combined Driving, Inc. Developing Driver Program. “Though Live Oak Combined Driving has always been involved in the ongoing development of many drivers, this new program will begin with Jacob Arnold as the first apprentice...

Katy Groesbeck and Oz the Tin Man at the winter training session (USEF Archives) Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and its Eventing High Performance Department introduced a redesigned Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program for 2013, and the participants had impressive performances throughout the season. Selected by application, 17 riders from across the country benefitted from regular access, coaching, and guidance from U.S. Team Coach, David O’Connor. The...

The USDF “L” Education Program was developed to teach judges to evaluate the correct training of dressage horses, and is a prerequisite for entering the USEF Dressage Judges Training Program and obtaining Recorded “r” status. Designed to provide trainers, instructors, competitors, and spectators insight into the evaluative techniques of judging dressage, it also provides continuing education for licensed judges and “L” Graduates. Several programs will be...

Lexington, KY - Sarah Hood is not your typical high school cross country runner. On torrid Georgia afternoons, after classes are over, she joins her teammates for practice and runs for miles. After that, most of her teammates head home. Sarah Hood heads to the barn. "As my teammates and l left every day, drenched in sweat and exhausted," she says, "many complained about being tired and couldn't wait to go home and crash. I just smiled as l left, knowing that I had horses waiting to be...