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.

NetJets U.S. Jumping Team Earns Fifth Place in Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain CSIO5*

by U.S. Equestrian Communications Department | 7/28/2023 7:34:00 PM

Hickstead, Great Britain – The NetJets U.S. Jumping Team finished in fifth place overall at the 2023 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain CSIO5* at the Royal International Horse Show, completing on a final team score of 31. Great Britain took the top podium position on a score of four over two rounds, while Ireland finished in second on 12 faults, and France in third on 16 total faults. “We always strive to hit the podium but sometimes it does not happen and today was...

U.S. Jumping Team Closes Out CSIO3* Drammen, Alise Oken and Gelvera Win CSIO3* Grand Prix

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | 6/4/2023 5:38:00 PM

Drammen, Norway – The U.S. Jumping Team ended their time at CSIO3* European competitions under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Anne Kursinski at CSIO3* Drammen. The highlight of the week came with Alise Oken and Gelvera’s win in Sunday’s CSIO3* Grand Prix with Alessandra Volpi and Haya Loma N finishing third. After winning last week’s European Equestrian Federation Nations Cup at CSIO3* Uggerhalne , the U.S. Jumping Team of Oken, Volpi, Jacob Pope, and Nikko Ritter...

Making of a Champion: Mai Baum

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | 5/17/2023 4:21:00 PM

It takes years and a full team effort to develop a horse to the top level of equestrian sport— with riders, owners, grooms, coaches, and many more focusing on giving a horse the best chance at success. This process was true for Mai Baum, known as Lexus, on his road to winning the 2023 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™ CCI5*-L with Tamie Smith in the irons. Smith remembered seeing Lexus, a 2006 German Sport Horse gelding owned by Alexandra...

From LRK3DE Groom to Competitor: Meg Kepferle Makes Kentucky CCI4*-S Debut

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | 5/2/2023 3:30:00 PM

Megan “Meg” Kepferle of Long Valley, N.J., was a longtime groom for Sinead Maynard (née Halpin) before starting her own business and pursuing her own riding goals. Kepferle groomed multiple times for Maynard at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS Equestrian™, and she made her riding debut at the 2023 event in the CCI4*-S with Anakin, Rogue Won Syndicate LLC’s 2009 Thoroughbred gelding. When asked about her favorite memory grooming at the...

In Memoriam: Kevin Freeman (1941-2023)

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 3/29/2023 2:33:00 PM

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....

U.S. CDIO3*, CDIOU25 Athletes Collect Five Medals on Final Day of 2023 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ USA Competition

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 2/27/2023 9:13:00 AM

Wellington, Fla. - The FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ USA CDIO3* and CDIOU25 wrapped up with more honors for U.S. combinations on Sunday at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team combinations Christian Simonson and Son of a Lady and Charlotte Jorst and Zhaplin Langholt won gold and silver, respectively, in the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle. Simonson and Son of a Lady finished on a score of 78.445 percent while Jorst and Zhaplin Langholt scored a 76.205, both of...

US Equestrian Announces the Appointment of Robert Costello as Eventing Technical Advisor and Chef d’Equipe

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 11/1/2022 10:30:00 AM

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian (USEF) announces the appointment of Robert (Bobby) Costello as Eventing Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe effective today, November 1, 2022. Costello first became involved in the discipline of Eventing in the 1970s and has enjoyed a successful career as a competitor and coach for over 30 years. Costello and Chevalier competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, earning an individual eighth place. On the sport governance front, Costello has held numerous...

Important USEF Combined Driving Rule Changes

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 9/8/2022 9:30:00 AM

USEF rule changes occur in four different ways: Clarifications, Extraordinary rule changes, Standard changes, and adopting FEI rule changes. Clarifications and Extraordinary changes can happen at various points throughout the year – as they are necessary and time-sensitive modifications to the current rules. However, Standard changes and adopting FEI rules only happen once a year, just before the new season begins. Check out the new or upcoming rule changes for Combined Driving :...

Para Dressage and Intermediaire I Divisions Kick Off 2022 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | 8/22/2022 10:00:00 PM

Wayne, Ill. – A total of 168 combinations are set to compete at the 2022 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions during a week packed with exciting competition at HITS Chicago at Lamplight Equestrian Center. The day began with jogs for the Para Dressage and Intermediaire I horses, followed by the first of three tests for each division. Charlotte Merle-Smith and Guata took the early lead in the USEF Para Dressage National Championship, while Laura Graves and SenSation HW stood atop the USEF...

NetJets® U.S. Jumping Team Rebounds for Great Second Effort in FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Ireland

by U.S. Equestrian Communications Department | 8/19/2022 4:38:00 PM

Dublin, Ireland – The NetJets U.S. Jumping Team made consistent improvements over the course of two rounds to finish sixth in the FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland hosted at the Dublin Horse Show. The team saw three combinations produce clears in their second effort around the massive grass arena - a testament to the team’s ability to adjust and improve with each round. The team finished on a total of 20 faults carried over from the first round, adding nothing to their score in the...