January 26, 2017 As announced late last week, the American Driving Society is no longer the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) Recognized Affiliate for Driving; Pleasure and Combined. USEF will be handling the affiliate responsibilities internally for the Driving discipline, at least in the short term. The primary focus is ensuring minimal impact on USEF members during this transition and that the sport of Driving (Combined and Pleasure) responsibly grows and flourishes in the U....

Dear fellow USEF member, Last Saturday, I was formally elected to be President of the United States Equestrian Federation. I am deeply honored to have been elected to this volunteer position and am so excited to have been given this opportunity to help drive growth in equestrian sports in the United States. For those of you who don’t know me, the first thing you need to know is that I come to this position with 45 years of equestrian experience. And put simply, I love horses. Our family...

Lexington, Ky . - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Eventing High Performance Committee has approved the following athletes for Emerging Athlete Eventing 25 and Eventing 18 programs for 2017. Following the post-Rio review, new approaches and definitions to all of the USEF eventing programs are being evaluated and introduced. The Emerging Athletes Lists are designated as athletes with the potential to evolve into future team candidates. USEF Eventing Emerging Athlete Coach Leslie...

Wayne, Ill. – Two divisions apart of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions determined their champions on Saturday. Bebe Davis and Feivel Mousekewitz claimed the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship title, while Jenna Upchurch and Greystoke earned top honors in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship. In the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship division, Hannah Irons and Bohdjan took the early lead with a steady ride in the FEI Pony Team Test....

In the lead-up to the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, the United States Equestrian Federation will feature a four-part series that highlights the athletes, horses, and their owners that make up the U.S. Team. The following is part four. Read parts one , two , and three . Nick Valentine considers Dun It At Dawn or “Dan” his once-in-a-lifetime horse. The most memorable rides occurred on the Quarter Horse stallion. For Valentine, Dan was incredibly easy to work alongside; he...

Another day, another waste of time setting the alarm clock; a forlorn hope that I would make it to 5:30 a.m. There are still many loose ends to sort so the “get your lazy arse (aka butt) out of bed” side of my brain is winning the nightly joust with the “go on..be a lazy walrus” side of the aforementioned, alcohol preserved grey matter: I will not pretend that I am not extremely nervous about the arrival of the horse flights and also how we are going to make the...

In the lead-up to the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, the United States Equestrian Federation will feature a four-part series that highlights the athletes, horses, and their owners that make up the U.S. Team. The following is part three. Read parts one and two . Kari Klingenberg remembers the first time she saw her 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships mount, Mr. Electric Spark, or “Matt”. The Quarter Horse stallion was three-years old. She was sitting in the stands...

In the lead-up to the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, the United States Equestrian Federation will feature a four-part series that highlights the athletes, horses, and their owners that make up the U.S. Team. The following is part two. Read part one . When Shane Brown went horse scouting in Texas for three clients last June, he did not realize he was bringing his 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships partner, Wind Er Up Wimp or “Denny”, back to Colorado with him. Even...

In the lead-up to the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, the United States Equestrian Federation will feature a four-part series that highlights the athletes, horses, and their owners that make up the U.S. Team. Before Troy Heikes and Denise Bixler met, both were at entirely different places in their reining lives. Heikes wanted to cut back, being selective of his clientele. Bixler was losing enthusiasm and love for the sport. Troy Heikes and RSD One Hot Deal competing in the $25,000...

Susan Hutchison and Ziedento (McCool Photography) San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - The $25,000 Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix wrapped up the second week of the Blenheim EquiSports Spring Classic series. With 38 entries in the class, FEI course designer Manuel Esparza (MEX) designed a track that worked for varying levels of competitor experience and produced ten clear rounds. Of the five double clean rides, veteran pair Susan Hutchison and Ziedento (St. Bride's Farm, owner) took the top...