www.flickr.com/photos/skodak (Rio de Janeiro) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the host city of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in 2016 during its 121st Session in Copenhagen, Denmark. Rio de Janeiro received 66 votes compared to Madrid’s 32 in the final round of voting. IOC President Jacques Rogge congratulated Rio de Janeiro on its election and praised the high quality of the bid, “I would like to congratulate the city of Rio de...

Sarah Hamilton from strategic communications consulting firm Kivvit gave a presentation on social media to kick off Friday’s Workshop Sessions. She reviewed the basics, different platforms, strengths and weaknesses of social media, and best practices. Hamilton concluded by fielding questions from the audience for a thoroughly informative session. Social media is a communication tool “Social media is just one tool in a larger communications and marketing external relations plan that...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes who will represent the U.S. Vaulting Team in Individual, Pas de Deux, and Squad competition at the Mustang Corp. FEI World Vaulting Championship in Herning, Denmark, August 6-10, 2022. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Jennifer Arntsen and Team Leader Michelle McQueen. The following athletes have been selected to the U.S. Vaulting Team and are listed in alphabetical order: Individual Female Tessa Divita (Portola...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that the application period for the 2022 National Youth Sportsman’s Award is now open. The award serves to identify future leaders across all of US Equestrian’s recognized breeds and disciplines and to celebrate outstanding youth for their achievements. Applications will be accepted through August 15, 2022. Active USEF competing members and subscribers aged 17 years and younger as of December 1, 2021, and in good standing...

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Known as the largest Arabian horse show in the world, the 67th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show is set to begin on Thursday, February 17, and runs through Sunday, February 27. Hosted by the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona (AHAA), the show traditionally welcomes over 2,000 Arabian horses and over 9,000 entries annually. Approximately 1,200 classes for youth, amateur, and professional exhibitors will put the athleticism of this breed on full display. Six show...

Lexington, Ky. – After a yearlong hiatus of Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ series competition in the United States, US Equestrian, along with the Federation Equestre International (FEI) are pleased to announce the return of a series qualifier to a new location at Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., from May 10-15, 2022. The competition will mark the first time the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA will be held on the West Coast of the United...

Kansas City, Mo. – The country’s top saddle seat equitation riders have arrived in Kansas City, Mo., for the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final this Saturday, November 13. Held during the United Professional Horseman’s Association (UPHA)/American Royal National Championship Horse Show , the class features 18 horse-and-rider combinations who will go head-to-head in pursuit of the title. The USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET with preliminary ride-offs,...

Fort Worth, Texas – The International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA) is gearing up to host the 2021 IALHA National Championship Show from November 9-13 in Fort Worth, Texas. IALHA Nationals brings together the country’s top Andalusian and Lusitano horses to compete in over 140 classes representing an array of disciplines, including dressage, driving, reining, saddle seat equitation, working equitation, and much more. This year's show is dedicated to the memory...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian (USEF) Dressage has several rule changes approved for the 2022 competition year, including a complete rewrite to DR120 – Dress, effective December 1, 2021. The changes to DR120 will modernize many of the dress code rules, keeping familiar traditional attire in the rule while giving riders many more choices and flexibility, to suit their modern tastes, fabrics and color choices for the competition arena. The provisions of this section apply to all...

Mill Spring, N.C. – Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) and Fortune 500 stole the show this week at the 2021 Adequan®/USEF Para Dressage National Championship, producing three lovely tests to top national championship competition for the first time in their partnership. Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 were presented with reserve national champion honors following their first competition after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Competition concluded today at Tryon International Equestrian...