Lexington, Ky. - Debbie McDonald, who has served as the USEF Developing Dressage Coach for over 10 years has announced that she will step down from the position on May 1, 2016, in order to spend more time with her family and focus on personal clients. Debbie McDonald (USEF Archive) "It has truly been an honor to serve in this role, and I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity," said McDonald. "We have come so far with this program; I am grateful to the USEF sponsors and members, the...

Juan-Carlos Capelli, vice president of Longines (second left), and Hampton Classic Executive Director Shanette Cohen presented a Longines timepiece to Paul O'Shea, winner of the $40,000 Longines Cup at the Hampton Classic. (McMillen photo) Bridgehampton, N.Y. - Paul O'Shea of Ireland recovered from what seemed a devastating crash in Friday's grand prix to win the $40,000 Longines Cup on Skara Glen's Dolphin on Saturday. His faultless jump-off round, in 41.52 seconds, handily...

Scott Stewart rode Lucador to win the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship at the 40th annual Hampton Classic. (McMillen photo) Bridgehampton, N.Y. -- As has been true for the last several years, Scott Stewart was the man to beat in the Anne Aspinall Ring, home of the hunters at the 40th annual Hampton Classic. Horses he rode or trained won two championships and three reserve championships. The 2015 Hampton Classic professional hunter champions were: Huntland First Year Green:...

Havens Schatt and Sans Souci (Elaine Wessel) Lexington, Ky. – As the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show came to an end today, Havens Schatt and her mount Sans Souci still had one order of business: leading the victory gallop in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. The pair rode to a strong start with a 94-point score from the judges’ panel during the classic round, and further extended their lead with another high mark in the handy round to secure their title as...

Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is sad to report the passing of Karen Stives on August 14, 2015. Karen passed away peacefully at her home in Dover, Massachusetts after a long illness. Karen has been heavily involved with the USET Foundation for two decades, serving as a Trustee from 1989-2002 and a member of the National Advisory Committee from 2003 - present. In 2014, Karen established the Karen E. Stives Endowment Fund for High Performance Eventing with a $1...

Jennifer Alfano and Castle topped round two of the 2015 USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship. Lexington, KY - August 12, 2015 - It was nearly one year ago that Jennifer Alfano spotted Castle in a schooling ring in Houston, Texas. Fellow professional rider Tracy Fenney was aboard the bay gelding, and after Alfano saw him take two jumps, she knew that she wanted to be the rider in his saddle. Her instincts proved correct as she topped the 2015 USHJA Pre-Green Hunter Incentive leader board...

Schuyler Riley and Dobra de Porceyo Bromont, Quebec - August 9, 2015 - Sunday marked the kick-off of the new Longines FEI World Cup Jumping - North American League, and with a limited number of events to earn points, riders were aiming for the top of the leader board. Eight horse and rider combinations advanced to the tiebreaker, but it was the final pair that took home the victory, as Schuyler Riley piloted Dobra de Porceyo to a speedy double clear in the CSI3* $100,000 event at International...

Winn Alden and Attila, with owners Ernie and Betty Oare, and Samantha Pleasant Fielding, assistant director of riding at Chatham Hall Lexington, VA - August 8, 2015 - Betty and Ernie Oare just purchased Attila a month ago, and Winn Alden only sat on the gelding for the first time on Friday, but following the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Lexington National Horse Show, the owners, rider and talented gelding seemed every bit the veteran winning team. In their first time in the show...

Lexington, Ky. - Another day of competition at the US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans saw two more championship titles decided on Friday. Emma Kurtz and Truly Yours collected Medium Green Hunter Pony honors, while Augusta Iwasaki and Kingston were named the Large Green Hunter Pony Champions. Both championship divisions completed the Over Fences phase on Friday, earning the final 50% for their overall score, after receiving 25% from both the Model and Under Saddle phases...

Alison Robitaille and Cassinja Lexington, KY - August 1, 2015 - Alison Robitaille has traveled to the Olympics as a first alternate, competed at the World Equestrian Games and won team silver at the Pan American Games, but in recent years, as she busily brings along young horses and two young children of her own, she has been continually knocking on the door of a grand prix win. On Saturday night at the Kentucky Horse Park she knocked the door all the way down and rode away with an impressive...