On June 11, 2019, the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) affiliate agreement with the American Driving Society (ADS) expired. USEF understands that this circumstance left many USEF driving members with questions regarding the future of the sport. Please be assured that USEF remains thoroughly committed to supporting the driving disciplines, its current programs, and developing new ways to grow the sport. The following information details how USEF supports the driving disciplines and outlines a...

Lexington, Ky. – Parry Thomas was not simply the sharp business mastermind that revolutionized the city of Las Vegas, Nev. The equestrian community knew him as the passionate owner whose love of horses helped inspire and impact the sport of dressage. Surrounded by his supportive family, Thomas passed away peacefully on Friday, August 26, 2016, at his cherished River Grove Farm in Hailey, Idaho, at the age of 95. No one could have predicted the success that would significantly leave a...

Ashlee Bond and Cornancer July 27, 2015 - Del Mar, CA - Truly a race up until the last ride, the $40,000 Racing Festival Grand Prix, presented by Equestrian Almanac, kept everyone on the edge of their seats. In the end, the talented Ashlee Bond and Little Valley Farms' Cornancer earned the mare's first Grand Prix win against a field of talented competitors. International FEI course designer Anderson Lima of Mexico set a precise course that tested both the horses and riders. With three...

Leslie Berndl and Koopman's Lightning Rod (Jacqueline Zimmermann, Hippoevent) Today was marathon day at the World Championship Single Driving in Jarantow, Poland and it was a true festival for the driving sport. Thousands of enthusiastic spectators visited the marathon site and enjoyed a high quality and accident-free marathon with lots of action. The very tough, but horse friendly and fairly built, marathon course was very demanding for both horses and their drivers at this high level. Donna...

US Equestrian is pleased to announce two new consultant roles developed to support the combined driving programs and initiatives. Amber Lester Amber Lester is an Athlete Advisor to the Developing Athlete Program for Combined Driving, which is a new role established to provide support to athletes by helping them identify and develop achievable goals, outline educational opportunities, and direct athletes through the challenges they face on their pathway to success. Lester’s competition...

Raeford, N.C. – Three advanced pony combined driving national championship titles are up for grabs at the Southern Pines Combined Driving Event (CDE) running April 12-14. With the competition serving as one of the selection trials for the 2019 FEI World Driving Championships for Ponies, the driving athletes aim to display a strong performance while vying for national championship honors. Jennifer Keeler and Amazing Grace, the 2018 USEF Advanced Single Pony Combined Driving National...

Ocala, Fla. - Combined driving athletes have flocked to Ocala, Florida this week for their chance at a USEF Combined Driving National Championship title. Live Oak International, March 6-10, features the USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Combined Driving National Championship for the fourth consecutive year and welcomes the USEF Advanced Pairs Combined Driving National Championship. Chester Weber (Photo by Andrea Evans/US Equestrian) The USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Championship serves as a reunion for...

Ocala, Fla. – Combined driving athletes will descend upon the majestic Live Oak Plantation this week for a shot at a USEF Combined Driving National Championship title. Live Oak International, running Thursday, March 15 through Sunday, March 18, returns as the host for the USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Combined Driving National Championship and welcomes four new USEF Intermediate Combined Driving National Championship divisions. The following is a glance at the seasoned, skillful veterans and...

Early nights all round for the dressage and eventing teams; and I bet there are a ton of people out there that wish they could turn in to their slumber pits early as well. Overnight equine arrivals plus the huge amount of work that the equestrian experts supporting the Rio 2016 Organising Committee have had to undertake, has ensured that there are many tired people out there. But these experts have done an excellent job getting the venue ready and whilst there remain frustrations and areas...

Beesd, The Netherlands – Stefanie Putnam is the sole U.S. representative at the 2016 FEI World Para-Driving Championships, but she is up for the challenge as she makes her World Championship debut. She will compete against competitors from six other nations in the Grade I division as she aims for a solid performance. Putnam (Lafayette, Calif.) grew up riding hunters and jumpers and was also the captain of the Cal Poly Tech polo team. She suffered a spinal cord injury that left her...