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.

International Dressage Rider Heather Blitz Moves Back to the U.S.

by By Chris Stafford | 9/16/2009 11:30:00 AM

International grand prix dressage rider and trainer Heather Blitz will be moving her training base to a new location in Loxahatchee, FL, on December 1, 2009. The popular rider has been based in Europe for the past three years and is now ready to return stateside to a new facility that will provide the opportunity to operate a training business alongside her riding career. "I have had a wonderful time in Europe and have made many friends as well as some great clients, but the time has come for...

15-Year-Old US Show Jumper Reed Kessler Cruises in Belgium

by BY Joanie Morris | 9/11/2009 1:33:00 PM

The success continued more than 1000 miles away in Belgium where, as the lone American, she swept the CSI-YJPCH-A Nieuwpoort, August 21-23. Kessler won two classes each day. On Friday she was the fastest of three clear rounds in the Speed Class. With Ice d’Ancoeur she zoomed to victory, almost six seconds faster than Julian Kok from Holland. She then had another convincing win in the 1.30m class with Ligist, where she was again lightning fast and was only one of two clears in the four horse...

Canterbury Farm Hosts Successful United States Hunter Jumper Association Emerging Athletes Clinic with Melanie Smith Taylor and Ray Texel

by By Jenny Ross Koning | 9/9/2009 3:47:00 PM

This past weekend, Canterbury Farm in Hampshire, IL, hosted a clinic for the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Emerging Athletes Program. Held on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, the clinic was conducted by renowned equestrians Melanie Smith Taylor and Ray Texel. Diane Carney of Hampshire, IL, was the on-site coordinator for the event, which was a Level II Training Session. The clinic was part of the Emerging Athletes Program, an educational program that focuses on...

Hampton Classic Wrap-Up

by By Classic Communications | 8/31/2009 3:41:00 PM

Jeffery Welles Claims $7,500 Prudential Douglas Elliman 1.45m Open Jumper Win Jeffery Welles did it again, winning his second major class this week at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Welles, of Wellington, FL, piloted Tango to top honors in the $7,500 Prudential Douglas Elliman 1.45m Open Jumper class. On Tuesday, he won the $7,500 1.40m Open Jumper Class aboard his veteran mount, Armani. The 34th Hampton Classic, one of the nation's premiere show jumping competitions hosted hunter/jumper...

United States Dressage Federation Announces 2009 Hall of Fame Inductees

by By Kim Sodt | 8/27/2009 10:09:00 AM

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) will induct Linda Zang and Brentina into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame (HOF) at the Salute Gala and Annual Awards Banquet, on December 4, 2009, during the Adequan/USDF Annual Convention in Austin, TX. Induction into the HOF is an honor bestowed on horses and individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the sport of dressage in the US. Linda Zang has played a critical role in the growth of dressage in the United States and has...

Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude Win Again at HITS Culpeper to Clinch the 2009 United States Grand Prix League Leading Rider Title

by By Chris Mayone | 8/20/2009 2:21:00 PM

On Sunday at HITS Culpeper Tracy Magness was back to her winning ways riding Tarco Van Ter Moude to the blue in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix to conclude the Winston National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, VA. Magness got the best of 19 pairs that challenged course designer Jerry Dougherty’s first-round course and the additional six that advanced to the jump-off en route to collecting $9,000 in first-place prize money. With the victory, Magness and Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko’s Tarco Van Ter...

Elite Rider Mandy McQuay McCutcheon to Compete at High Roller Reining Classic

by By Rebecca Walton | 8/20/2009 12:06:00 PM

The High Roller Reining Classic is pleased to announce that the only female $1 Million Elite Rider, Mandy McQuay McCutcheon, will be showing at this year's competition. The horse show will be held at the South Point Hotel and Casino, September 4-12, 2009. McCutcheon is the only non-pro Elite Rider and the daughter of Elite Rider Tim McQuay, who will also be competing at this year's event. The High Roller Reining Classic is the international "crown jewel" of western riding competition, and...

Suzy Stafford on Silver after Marathon at the FEI World Pony Driving Championships

by Carol Timmer | 8/16/2009 1:53:00 PM

Lexington, KY—After the dressage and the marathon, Suzy Stafford is currently on Silver at the FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Greven-Bockholt, Germany. Stafford drove a very good marathon with the Morgan pony Courage to Lead and climbed to the second place in the standings. The U.S. team has kept its fourth position in the nations standings, but has every chance to win a medal since the difference with third placed nation Belgium is small. It was a beautiful day for the marathon...

Collena Chic Olena Becomes New National Reining Horse Association Leading Dam

by By Christa Morris | 8/14/2009 12:01:00 PM

With the official results from the 2009 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby recorded, NRHA records show that the phenomenal Collena Chic Olena (Smart Chic Olena x Collena Freckles, by Colonel Freckles) is NRHA’s new Leading Dam based on offspring earnings—$546,185. Though deceased, her legacy continues to explode via her offspring’s successes. Her last recorded owner was Monica Watson’s Double Run Farm in Leland, NC. A show career during which she earned more than $7,400,...

MS Patient and Inspiration, Mary Jordan, to Compete in Para-Equestrian Championships in Norway

by Sarah Evers | 8/14/2009 9:33:00 AM

WHAT: Interview with Mary Jordan, Equestrian and multiple sclerosis (MS) patient, competing in the 2009 FEI European and Open Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships WHO & WHY: Jordan’s story of managing her MS to compete in the sport she loves is an inspiration to many and has gained media interest throughout the United States. Her competitive resilience so touched one Dutch family that they loaned her a horse to be able to compete in the championships. In 2002, Jordan was first diagnosed with...