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.

Spotlighting Show Horses and Helping Kids at the Big D Charity Horse Show

by Leslie Potter | 4/20/2023 3:00:00 PM

This week, USEF Network viewers can tune in to the livestream from the Big D Charity Horse Show in Fort Worth, Texas. The show features exciting classes for American Saddlebreds , Morgans , and other breeds in saddle seat , driving, equitation, roadster , and pleasure classes. Big D is a longstanding tradition in the region, tracing its beginnings to 1971. In addition to being a favorite early season stop on the show circuit for many exhibitors, Big D has had a philanthropic mission since its...

In Memoriam: Karen Golding (1950-2023)

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 4/14/2023 7:00:00 PM

Karen Golding (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer) Lexington, Ky . - Karen Golding had a significant impact on equestrian sport as a groom and steward. She groomed U.S. Olympic team horses and served as the chief steward at major events, such as the FEI World Cup™ Finals. Her early interest in caring for horses became a lifelong passion, and her contributions positively affected equestrian sport and the lives of numerous horses. Golding was born in England and learned to ride at a young age,...

US Equestrian Announces the Appointment of Hallye Griffin as Director of FEI Sport

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 3/22/2023 3:08:00 PM

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian (USEF) announces the appointment of long-term US Equestrian employee Hallye Griffin as Director of FEI Sport. Griffin will assume the duties of former Director of FEI/High-Performance Sport, Graeme Thom, who has chosen to step away from his role to attend to personal matters. “Over recent months, I have encountered some evolving personal obligations that are limiting my ability to commit the necessary time in my role as Director of FEI and High-Performance...

Big Changes Ahead for the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur and Junior Medal Finals at the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 3/7/2023 2:00:00 PM

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian, in conjunction with the UPHA Board of Directors, has agreed to move the USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final to the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show starting in 2023. The decision was made to move this Final from the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show to the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show to enable the adult amateur riders to have a longer qualification time frame for the 2023 competition year....

NetJets® U.S. Jumping Team Finishes Fifth in $150,000 FEI Jumping Nations Cup Wellington CSIO4*

by U.S. Equestrian Communications Department | 3/5/2023 10:32:00 AM

Wellington, Fla. – The NetJets U.S. Jumping Team finished fifth in their first team event of the season in the $150,000 FEI Jumping Nations Cup Wellington CSIO4* in Wellington, Fla. The team, comprised of Natalie Dean and Acota M, Mimi Gochman and Celina BH, Mavis Spencer and Carissimo 25, and Adrienne Sternlicht and Faquitol-S, completed the competition on a final team total of 32 faults after two rounds of competition, which featured 11 different nations competing under the lights at...

In Memoriam: James “Jimmy” C. Wofford

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 2/3/2023 9:00:00 AM

James "Jimmy" C. Wofford (Chrissy Miller of Szemere Photography) James “Jimmy” C. Wofford had a profound influence on the shaping of equestrian sport as we know it today. He was a complete horseman, focused and skilled competitor, and a “teacher’s teacher” who will be remembered for his humor, charm, and wit. Wofford was born into an equestrian family on November 3, 1944, in Junction City, Kansas. His father, Col. John W. Wofford, competed for the U.S. Jumping Team...

Event Horse Owner Spotlight: Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell

by Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell | 1/20/2023 11:00:00 AM

Ellen Ahearn and Eric Markell at Badminton. We became involved in the sport of eventing when our daughter, Alexandra Ahearn, became an eventer. She started in Michele Pestl’s program in Renton, WA on an older horse named Sir Frederick. After a couple of years, it was clear that Alex had advanced as a rider to the point she needed a younger, more vibrant horse. So, off Michele and Ellen went to Munich, Germany, where we were fortunate enough to locate and purchase Mai Baum at the...

USEF 2023 Annual Meeting Session 2: Social License to Operate with Alex Waldrop

by Kathleen Landwehr/US Equestrian Communications | 1/18/2023 2:00:00 PM

Alex Waldrop, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), shared U.S. horse racing’s history and recapped some of the challenges that horse racing has faced in the past 15 years. The challenges affected horse racing’s social license to operate and required earnest changes to improve horse welfare. “An old adage comes to mind: ‘If you can’t be a good example, you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.’...

US Equestrian Announces Participants for the 2023 Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic Week Presented by Zen Elite Equestrian Center

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 12/6/2022 11:00:00 AM

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes who have been selected to participate in the 2023 Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic Week (RDHCW) presented by Zen Elite Equestrian Center. The clinic will take place January 3-8 at the Adequan ® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla. The following participants are listed in alphabetical order: Ellanor Boehning (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) M.K. Connatser (Dallas, Texas) Kasey Denny (Williston, Fla.) Korey Denny...

Ella Dyson Claims 2022 USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West Title

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | 11/13/2022 10:00:00 PM

Thermal, Calif. - The last of three USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Finals of 2022 took place on November 12 at National Sunshine Series II with 35 junior equestrians competing in a unique three-phase final. Ella Dyson emerged victorious with Cetello in the USEF/NCEA Junior Hunter Seat Medal Final – West with consistent performances and impressive scores. “It feels so surreal, and so exciting,” Dyson said of her champion title. “I am so honored to have won and...