Darcie Grote and Nickie at the LAHJA Senior Medal Finals in October 2018, where they finished in the top 10, seventh overall. Photo: Kristin Lee Photography When Darcie Grote receives her copy of US Equestrian magazine ’s annual Horse of the Year issue in mid-April, she’ll have an extra reason to celebrate her horse’s championship in the United States Hunter Jumper Association Zone 9 Thoroughbred hunter division. Brenin—or Nickie, as he’s known around the...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is temporarily closing the Miami Animal Import Center to new arrivals after horses quarantined at the facility became sick. The Equine Disease Communication Center alert for this contains up to date information. APHIS is investigating to determine the specific cause of illness in these horses. Salmonellosis is suspected and the facility is taking precautions to control disease spread. More information...

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is excited to announce the launch of the Para-Equestrian Dressage Coach Certification Program developed by Michel Assouline, USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor and Head of Coach Development. This is a first of its kind coaching program for the industry in the U.S. The certificate program comprises of four levels: master coach, silver coach, bronze coach, and apprentice coach. In 2018, US Equestrian launched the pilot program, which played a role in...

The Buying, Selling, and Leasing Horses with Confidence panel on Friday discussed their focus over the past year and how they hope to educate members. US Equestrian staff attorney Amelia Sandot moderated the panel with members of the Equine Transaction Task Force and guest speakers covering this issue facing the horse industry. The task force was formed to help members navigate equine transactions and to identify what can be done to counter how misrepresentation in horse sales and leases...

During the US Equestrian Annual Meeting on Thursday, US Equestrian Director of Sport Will Connell defined his goals for sustained high-performance success. The list includes assisting in the development of young athletes and developing world-renowned coaches. These goals go hand-in-hand, and on Friday, the Coaching, Youth, and Para Dressage panelists, Michel Assouline, USEF’s Para-Equestrian Dressage Head of Coach Development and Para-Equestrian Dressage Technical Advisor, Alison Brock,...

Each day, the media landscape constantly changes and evolves, which is affecting the way US Equestrian interacts with its members. The US Equestrian marketing department is on the front lines of this climate, making sure to stay on top of trends to grow its membership and base. US Equestrian marketing staff, including Andrea Evans, Director, Social and Video Content, Taylor Rea, Manager, Membership Engagement, and Jamie Unseld, Senior Director, USEF Network and Operations, took the opportunity...

(Left to right)Lisa Roskens, Alexandra Cherubini, and Noel Asmar speak during the Building a Successful Equestrian Business Panel (Photo by Taylor Pence/US Equestrian) Five prominent female entrepreneurs in the equine industry spoke at the US Equestrian Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 9, for the panel Building a Successful Equestrian Business, presented in partnership with the Equestrian Businesswomen (EQBW) Summit. Jennifer Wood of EQBW led the panel discussion with Lisa Roskens from...

Jennifer Fox (left) and Anne Kursinski (right) speak during the SafeSport Panel (Photo by Taylor Pence/US Equestrian) Last year was a breakthrough year for legislation and education surrounding the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s Code and the US Equestrian Safe Sport Policy and requirements for its members. In the wake of the #metoo movement and over 200 gymnasts who came forward about abuse they suffered at the hands of Larry Nassar, equestrians and non-equestrians alike stepped forward to...

The panel “Safe Sport: What You Need to Know” takes place at US Equestrian’s 2019 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 8 a.m. in Coral Ballroom ABC at the Hilton West Palm Beach in West Palm Beach, Fla. The panel, which also will be streamed live on USEF Network, will feature a frank and open discussion about sexual abuse and its aftermath and why survivors often hesitate to come forward, as well as efforts to prevent and report sexual abuse. Panelists will include Olympic...

When fellow equestrians and Paso Fino enthusiasts first suggested that Heidi Young consider riding with a drill team, Young demurred. “I had bought myself a very good-looking Paso Fino, and they said, ‘You should try this, because it’s fun, and your horse would look great,’” recalled Young, a Connecticut native and US Equestrian member who now resides in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. “I said, ‘Oh, no, I don’t do that kind of thing. I don’t like...