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...

Aaron Vale concluded Week Two of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival with a win in the $50,000 Grand Prix of Michigan. (Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, Mich. - A little rain did not stop the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) from putting on a fantastic event on Sunday to cap off Week Two of competition at Flintfields Horse Park with the week's highly anticipated feature class, the $50,000 Grand Prix of Michigan, presented by Peninsula Capital Management and Craig...

Aachen, Germany – The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team had solid performances throughout the Lambertz Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen. Led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, the team of Katherine Bateson-Chandler , Shelly Francis , Arlene “Tuny” Page , and Steffen Peters garnered the Silver medal with a total score of 437.139. Saturday’s final placing also clinched the inaugural FEI Nations Cup™ series title for the U.S. Germany had a dominant performance in the...

Aaron Vale continued his winning streak at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival on Friday winning the $25,000 CWD Welcome Stake aboard Bonzini S. (Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, Mich. - The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) capped off on Friday with the $25,000 CWD Welcome Stake, which saw 34 horses and riders battle it out for the coveted prize money. Wednesday's 1.40m Jumpers winner, Aaron Vale, and Thinkslikeahorse's Bonzini S came out on top to secure...

Aachen, Germany – Members of the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team will compete in their final Nations Cup competition prior to the Rio Olympic Games this week at CHIO Aachen. Led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team will include Lucy Davis , Laura Kraut , Beezie Madden , and McLain Ward . The Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup will take place Thursday evening. The U.S. has drawn first in the order of eight teams. McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z (Shannon...

Aachen, Germany – The U.S. will be represented by combinations in both the CDIO5* and CDI4* at CHIO Aachen this week. Led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for the CDIO5* will include Katherine Bateson-Chandler, Shelly Francis , Arlene “Tuny” Page , and Steffen Peters . This competition is the final FEI Nations Cup™ for dressage in the series of six events that began with CDIO3* Wellington in late March. The U.S. is currently just...

Maya Nayyar and Connaro (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group) Devon, Pa. - As the 2016 U.S. Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast kicked off at the Devon Horse Show grounds during the Brandywine Horse Shows, 76 of the nation's best equitation riders gathered to vie for the top honors in the prestigious USHJA Hunterdon Cup, and it was Maya Nayyar who went wire to wire to bring home the blue ribbon. The large starting field was whittled down as they competed over Skip Bailey's...

Dear Fellow USEF Members, The Mid-Year meeting of the Board of Directors was held on June 20-21 at Hamilton Farm in Gladstone, N.J., the headquarters for the USET Foundation and training center for our U.S. teams. Gladstone also provides offices for some USEF staff members from our Sport and Education Departments. This was a historical occasion as it was the first time that we have met at Gladstone since the Board's restructure. The Foundation graciously hosted a reception and provided an...

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...

Rotterdam, The Netherlands – All members of the Dressage Squad for European Observation Events will compete this week at CDIO5*/CDI3* Rotterdam in The Netherlands. The competition is the last of three designated observation events as part of the selection process for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team. Led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for the CDIO5* will include Shelly Francis, Laura Graves, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Steffen Peters. Allison Brock,...