(left to right) Lisa Blackstone, Barb Kohr, Frank Madden, Mary Babick, Elisabeth Goth, and Bill Moroney speak at the Growing the Grassroots panel (Photo by Taylor Pence/US Equestrian) Initiated by US Equestrian President Murray Kessler, the Grassroots Advisory Group is tasked with the responsibility of examining the barriers of entry for people into equestrian sport, opportunities for development and collaboration at the grassroots level with US Equestrian affiliates, how to better meet the...

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce the 2019 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Coaching Team. Coach Christy Parker (Brunswick, Ga.) and Assistant Coach Mary Mag Wilson (Cave Creek, Ariz.) will work together in coaching the 2019 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Stars and Stripes Teams. The Stripes Team will compete at the 2019 U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational Test Event on July 4-5 in New Orleans, La., against teams from South Africa. The Stars Team will compete at the 2019 U.S. Saddle...

Lexington, Ky. – The Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA) is preparing to host the 2018 Western Dressage World Championship Show from September 27-30. The championship returns to the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., bringing together top combinations from across the United States and Canada for competition and to share the love of Western dressage with their peers. The 2018 slate of judges includes Ronald Bartholomew (Martville, N.Y.), Donna Longacre (Longview, Wash.), Fatina...

Springfield, Ill . – The National Show Horse Finals saw a gathering of some of the country’s most impressive National Show Horses as riders and owners vied for top honors. The National Show Horse represents the epitome of modern-day show horse as a combination of at least 50% Arabian blood and any other breed. Hosted by the National Show Horse Registry (NSHR), the Illinois State Fairgrounds set the scene for competition from September 13-15, and also serves as a qualification...

Mill Spring, N.C. - This year’s FEI World Equestrian Games™ includes four strong competitive nations including Great Britain, Holland, Denmark, and Germany. The U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team presented by Deloitte is prepared to fight for a spot on that podium this week. Starting approximately a year ago, Michel Assouline, the former British gold medal-winning head coach, took on a role with the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team presented by Deloitte and helped to set in motion...

Nancy Nathanson receiving the Pegasus Medal of Honor from USEF President David O'Connor in 2012. Photo: Geoff Bugbee Nancy Nathanson, the longtime executive director of the International Friesian Horse Association and a trainer and breeder of Andalusians , passed away in California on Aug. 23. Nathanson—who also was active in various capacities on the United States Equestrian Federation’s Andalusian/Lusitano Committee, Friesian Committee, and Competition Secretaries...

Oklahoma City, Okla. – The Arabian Horse Association’s (AHA) 2018 Youth National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Youth Nationals) had another successful year in Oklahoma City, Okla., at the State Fair Park from July 21-29. Exhibitors and spectators enjoyed a great horse show and all the excitement the city had to offer. Youth Nationals provided an economic impact of over $5 million to the area. Over 700 horses and 2,600 exhibitors, trainers, family members, and...

Downey and Anisette Take Home the Win in the Medium Regular Hunter Pony Championship Presented by Sallee Horse Vans at 2018 USEF Pony Finals Presented by Collecting Gaits Farm Tessa Downey and Anisette (Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography) In the last pony hunter class at the 2018 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm (Pony Finals), it was 12-year-old Tessa Downey (Houston, Texas) and Anisette, her 12-year-old Welsh Pony cross mare, that brought home the championship title in the...

Lilly Ward, daughter of two-time Olympic show jumping team gold medalist McLain Ward, launched her own show career in May in an Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Show leadline class with dad and mom Lauren. Lilly may be heading down the road to stardom behind her show jumper father McLain. Now two, she's already gotten the show itch. With the help of dad and mom, Lilly tacked up her miniature horse Daisy for her first class on May 21 in North Salem, N.Y. While the family was in Wellington,...

Lexington, Ky. - Abuse of any kind has absolutely no place in sports. Protecting our athletes is of utmost importance. The US Equestrian Federation (USEF) is complying with all requirements of the U.S. Center for SafeSport (Center) and Federal Law. Many of our members have asked about our Safe Sport Policy and program. The information below addresses these questions and outlines actions taken by USEF to help keep our athletes safe. USEF is communicating directly with our members, including the...