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.

“Kind of Like Siblings”: Rolex Rookies Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna Grew Up Together

by Glenye Oakford, US Equestrian Communications Department | 4/18/2017 2:14:00 PM

Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna are first-time competitors this year at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, but their partnership goes back years. “My mom’s farrier, Dennis Ackerman at Pendragon Stud in Colorado, actually bred her,” Backus said of the Anglo-Trakehner mare. “So I’ve known her for her whole life. It’s been quite an adventure.” Backus, whose mother Laura...

Two to Watch at Live Oak International

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 3/6/2017 5:00:00 PM

Tune in to USEF Network ’s coverage of Live Oak International and you’ll see a lot of great performances in both combined driving and show jumping. Here are two storylines to follow: Jumping: For Chloe Reid, Live Oak Is a Family Affair Photo Credit: PicsOfYou.com The backstory: Chloe Reid , 20, has good reason to love the Live Oak venue. The competition takes place on the 4,500-acre Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, Fla., that her grandmother, Thoroughbred breeder Charlotte Weber, owns....

In Memoriam: Parry Thomas (1921-2016) Leaves Legacy on U.S. Dressage

by Dana Rossmeier | 10/3/2016 3:20:00 PM

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...

Virginia Millie Stearns Receives 2016 US Junior Hunter National Championships Grant

by USEF Communications Department | 9/7/2016 11:45:55 AM

Lexington, Ky. - Each year, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) awards a $1,000 US Junior Hunter National Championships educational grant. In 2016, the grant went to Virginia Millie Stearns of Watkinsville, Ga. Stearns competed at the US Junior Hunter National Championship - East Coast in the 3’3” Junior Hunter division with THS Enterprise’s THS Pia-Lena. Virginia Millie Stearns riding THS Pia-Lena (Cathrin Cammett Photo) The grant is awarded annually to the...

Pony Enthusiasts Converge on Kentucky for This Week’s National Dressage Pony Cup – Watch LIVE Starting Friday!

by Jennifer Keeler, Yellow Horse Marketing | 7/7/2016 10:57:55 AM

Kelly Soldavin and her pony Ketadog Admiral are one of many competitors from across the country competing in this week’s National Dressage Pony Cup. (Aaron Soldavin) Lexington, Ky. - The Kentucky Horse Park will experience an abundance of cuteness this weekend as host of the 2016 National Dressage Pony Cup (NDPC) Championship Show, being held in conjunction with the Kentucky Dressage Association (KDA) Summer Classic and Breed Show I & II on July 8-10 in Lexington. But as any of the 110 NDPC...

The Washington International Horse Show Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series Announces 2016 Dates

by Lauren Fisher, Jump Media LLC | 5/19/2016 12:44:34 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Washington International Horse Show’s wildly popular Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series, presented by Charles Owen, will be held in May and October 2016, commencing Memorial Day weekend at the Devon Horse Show. The high octane sport features junior jockeys in the saddle racing the cutest, fluffiest, Shetland Ponies to the enjoyment of spectators of all ages. The first stop in the series is the historic Devon Horse Show and Country Fair in Devon, Pa., on...

John French Sweeps WIHS Grand Hunter Championships

by Lauren Fisher and Lindsay Brock for Jump Media LLC | 10/22/2015 4:39:43 PM

John French in his presentation for Leading Hunter Rider with WIHS Executive Director Bridget Love Meehan, Dr. Betsee Parker, and Archie Cox (Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington, D.C. – The 2015 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued with its second day of competition Wednesday featuring the presentation of championship honors in the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. Representing the west coast, rider and trainer...

Stewart Tough To Beat In The Hampton Classic Hunter Ring

by Hampton Classic Horse Show | 8/27/2015 2:33:44 PM

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:...

Colvin Claims $50,000 iHeartMedia Hunter Derby At Hampton Classic

by Hampton Classic | 8/24/2015 12:23:35 PM

Victoria Colvin and Vaillero (Hampton Classic) Bridgehampton, N.Y. - Victoria Colvin guided Heritage Farm's Vaillero to the top score (182.5) to claim the $50,000 iHeartMedia Hunter Derby, presented by Ghurka, the kick-off hunter class at the 40th annual Hampton Classic. Galloping around two separate courses in the sprawling, grass-covered Grand Prix Ring, Colvin and Vaillero topped Kelly Tropin on Libertas Farms LLC's Chablis (174.0) and Daisy Farish on Heritage Farm's Pioneer (173....

Brandywine Valley Summer Series Wrap-Up: Sandy Ferrell, Jennifer Bauersachs Named Leading Hunter Riders

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. | 7/6/2015 8:08:20 AM

Sandy Ferrell was named the Der Dau Leading Hunter Rider during week one Devon, PA - July 6, 2015 - Sunday afternoon marked the conclusion of two weeks of highly praised hunter/jumper competition at the Brandywine Valley Sumer Series. Held at the Devon Horse Show grounds and now in their fifth year, the premier rated horse shows saw a record number of entries, including top riders, owners and trainers from across the country. Among those top riders and trainers were Jennifer Bauersachs and...