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...

We caught up with professional groom Max Corcoran, who was an important part of the famed O’Connor Event Team for more than a decade before establishing her own business, Max Corcoran Horse Care, in 2012. She also teaches horse management as a clinician for US Equestrian’s Emerging Athlete Eventing Program, the United States Eventing Association, and the Equine Management Training Center in Axton, Va. When your horse is in work, thoroughly groom him or her at least once a day:...

Lexington, Ky. - The US Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the recipients of Land Rover/USEF eventing competition grants for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials CCI4*, Tattersalls International Horse Trials CCI3*, and Luhmühlen CCI4* presented by DHL. The following combinations have received grants for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials CCI4* taking place May 3-7 in Gloucestershire, England: Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, Va.) with Jacqueline...

Omaha, Neb. - On his 17th attempt, McLain Ward with HH Azur won the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup™ Final title on Sunday in front of an electric home crowd in Omaha's CenturyLink Center. The 2016 Rio Olympic team silver medalist combination jumped five consecutive clean rounds to secure the title that has eluded him his entire career. Switzerland’s Romain Duguet and Sweden’s Henrik Von Eckermann finished second and third, respectively. Seven additional U.S. combinations...

Omaha, Neb. – Laura Graves and Verdades scored a personal best Grand Prix Freestyle of 85.307% to place second in the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final on Saturday . Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet and Steffen Peters and Rosamunde closed out the competition in the top 10. Isabell Werth (GER) and Weihegold OLD were the 2017 champions with a score of 90.704%, while Carl Hester (GBR) and Nip Tuck finished third with a score of 83.757%. Laura Graves on the podium (Shannon...

Omaha, Neb. – Three strong dressage combinations will represent the U.S. in the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, Neb. Running from March 30-April 1, 2017, Laura Graves & Verdades, Kasey Perry-Glass & Goerklintgaards Dublet, and Steffen Peters & Rosamunde are in excellent form heading into the Final. Laura Graves and Verdades (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Graves (Geneva, Fla.) has found much success since her last Final appearance in 2015,...

Wellington, Fla. – The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team will start the 2017 FEI Nations Cup™ season when they compete in the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup™ CDIO3*, March 22-24, at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington. Two U.S. teams will compete in the U25 Nations Cup running alongside the Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup™, March 22-24. Under the direction of Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, the team of Shelly Francis with Doktor, Olivia...

Morgan, Whaley, Wilson, and Weber Shine on Marathon Day of USEF Combined Driving National Championships at Live Oak International Ocala, Fla. – The exciting marathon phase took place Saturday at Live Oak International, moving the four USEF Combined Driving National Championships one step closer to determining the titles. Tracey Morgan, Katie Whaley, Steve Wilson, and Chester Weber had a great day with their ponies and horses to lead their respective divisions. Tracey Morgan and Fuego 88...

Ocala, Fla. – The four USEF Combined Driving National Championships kicked off competition on Thursday with the dressage phase at Live Oak International. After a great day of competition, Tracey Morgan, Katie Whaley, James Miller, and Chester Weber lead their respective divisions following the first phase. Tracey Morgan and Fuego 88 (Picsofyou.com) USEF Single Pony Combined Driving National Championship Morgan (Beallsville, Md.) and Fuego 88 had an excellent test that demonstrated quality...

Leslie Berndl and Sweetwater's Zorah Belle (Picsofyou.com) Ocala, Fla. – Four combined driving national championship titles are up for grabs at Live Oak International, March 8-12. Run in conjunction with the FEI divisions, the USEF Combined Driving National Championships for single pony, pair pony, pair horse, and four-in-hand horse will be determined at the prestigious Live Oak Plantation. Leslie Berndl, Katie Whaley, Steve Wilson, and Chester Weber are the defending champions in...