Ocala, Fla. – Combined driving athletes will descend upon the majestic Live Oak Plantation this week for a shot at a USEF Combined Driving National Championship title. Live Oak International, running Thursday, March 15 through Sunday, March 18, returns as the host for the USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand Combined Driving National Championship and welcomes four new USEF Intermediate Combined Driving National Championship divisions. The following is a glance at the seasoned, skillful veterans and...

Dear US Equestrian Members, The safety and welfare of our members, especially our children, is of paramount importance to US Equestrian. This is why we are writing directly to every member and to the parents of our junior members. We believe it is vital to the sustainability of the sport we love, to deliver Safe Sport information and resources directly to our members. US Equestrian has partnered with the U.S. Center for Safe Sport and assisted in the development of the policies that support it....

Representatives from the United States Equestrian Federation’s 29 breed and discipline affiliates convened Friday at the Annual Meeting in Lexington, Ky., for a vibrant Affiliate Roundtable discussion on a broad range of topics. The Roundtable agenda was based on feedback from the affiliates, who submitted topics of interest they’d like to discuss. The meeting covered such subjects as opportunities for collaboration, growing membership, and sponsorship ways to improve communications...

As part of the Annual Meeting’s new moderated forums, US Equestrian’s Director of Sport Programs, Will Connell, made a proposal that the organization should develop a registration process for coaches. And, Connell posited, such a registry—with requirements as well as benefits for participating coaches—would not only improve equestrianism and make it safer for equestrians, but also enhance the nation’s international competitiveness. “If we want to get more...

As reports of abuse roil other sports, US Equestrian invited the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s chief operating officer, Malia Arrington to discuss the SafeSport initiative and how its policies and training are fighting emotional, physical, and sexual misconduct—including bullying, cyberbullying, hazing, harassment, and abuse—in equestrian sports and in the other Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. The SafeSport intiative provides information, resources, and a protocol that helps...

Mill Spring, N.C. - The 2017 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships sponsored by Deloitte began Friday with competitors performing the FEI Team Test, the first of three tests in the competition. U.S. athletes finished on top in all five grades to put the Deloitte U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team ahead of Canada. With National Championship titles on the line, Friday’s Team Test will account for 40% of the overall championship totals. Saturday will feature the Individual...

Wayne, Ill. – Combinations competing for the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship and USEF Children Dressage National Championship got their first shot in the ring on Friday to open the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. The judges saw a promising group of athletes in both divisions demonstrate their early potential with close scores across the board. Isabel Linder and Elvis have a narrow lead in the junior division with a score of 70.991%. Abby Fodor and Slip and Slide hold...

Jenny Karazissis and Puissance R (Shawn McMillen) Lexington, Ky. - For Jenny Karazissis, making the journey to Kentucky from Calabasas, California has already proven to be worthwhile. Karazissis and Puissance R bested a field of 132 top-caliber entries to win round one of the 2016 USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show on Tuesday. Going later in the order, Karazissis unseated Scott Stewart and Storm Watch from the top spot, taking over his score of 261.5...

Givrins, Switzerland – The U.S. Reining team delivered a great display of showmanship at the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, August 11-13, at the CS Ranch in Givrins, Switzerland. Team members Shane Brown, Troy Heikes, Kari Klingenberg, and Nick Valentine all had consistent performances throughout the Team and Individual competitions. They finished fifth in the team competition with a score of 646. Heikes placed seventh in the Individual Final on Saturday to lead the U.S....

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl on their way to a $75,000 UlcerGuard Grand Prix win. (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - As the curtain closed on the HITS Saugerties Summer Series, thirty-five horses and riders turned out for Sunday’s $75,000 UlcerGuard Grand Prix for a shot at the money. The field consisted of Olympians and world-cup finalists, in addition to talented juniors and amateurs, but only one could claim the top title. Twelve advanced to the shortened course set by Mark McGowan...