Breaking US Equestrian news releases contain the latest information regarding the organization, national championships, U.S. athletes and teams in international competition, breed news, and important member alerts. Manage the news you receive at the US Equestrian Preference Center.

Jay Land and Nepal Nab High Amateur-Owner Jumper Win at Kentucky Summer Classic

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 8/1/2014 11:12:45 PM

Jay Land and Nepal (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - It's always been a family affair for the Lands, but with young riders Frances and Taylor Land usually picking up the spotlight, it was exciting to see father Jay Land in the winner's circle at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Despite taking a few months off from the show ring, Jay returned ready to win as he laid down a flawless round aboard his veteran mount Nepal in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Richard Jeffery...

Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder Blaze to Victory in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Classic

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 8/1/2014 3:45:53 AM

Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Ireland's Shane Sweetnam is well known for helping produce top young mounts, and Thursday he showed how it is done with the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Bijzonder. When seven horses go double clear in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, the only way to win is with speed, and although Bijzonder is just learning to go fast, he clearly has a knack for it. Sweetnam sped across the finish line two seconds...

William Funnell Can't Be Bettered for Bunn Leisure Trophy; Ward Finishes 2nd

by Victoria Spicer, Hickstead Press Officer | 7/31/2014 2:28:58 PM

William Funnell and Billy Angelo (Samantha Lamb) Hickstead, England - Local rider William Funnell has won plenty at Hickstead over the years, and Thursday he added another title to his collection on day three of the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead (29 July – 3 August). Riding Billy Angelo, William took the feature class of the afternoon – the Bunn Leisure Trophy. Drawn exactly half way through the 50-strong class, William jumped an immaculate clear first round...

U.S. Teams Ready for Nations Cup Action in Hickstead and Gijon

by Helen Murray | 7/31/2014 1:29:54 PM

Lexington, Ky. - The United States has high hopes of strong finishes in European CSIO5* Nations Cup competition this week, as they field teams in both Hickstead, England, and Gijon, Spain. In Friday’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain presented by Longines at CSIO5* Hickstead, the U.S. sends a veteran team into competition. McLain Ward, Reed Kessler, Margie Engle, and Beezie Madden look to showcase the form that earned them spots on the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Short List...

Rachel Boggus Tops the Card in the HJAM Adult Medal Final

by Horse Shows By The Bay | 7/31/2014 1:07:12 PM

Traverse City, Mich. - When Rachel Boggus stepped into the Horse Shows by the Bay Grand Prix Ring for the first round of the HJAM Adult Medal Final on July 26, she was on a mission. Not only did she seek to do her best in the class, but she also wanted to push herself to escape her comfort zone. In the end, she accomplished both goals. Boggus, 32, of Indianapolis, Indiana, topped the three-phase final and also gained valuable experience toward her quest to win the Ariat Adult Medal Finals this...

Young Jumpers Take Center Stage at Kentucky Summer Classic

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 7/31/2014 11:54:06 AM

Chris Ewanouski and Cortina (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - All eyes were on the up-and-coming horses of the future in the Rolex Stadium today as they vied for winning honors in the 7 & 8-Year-Old Jumpers and the 6-Year-Old Jumpers. Chris Ewanouski captured the first blue ribbon with his 8-year-old mount Cortina, while amateur rider Joyce Green piloted Cassidy to the top prize in the 6-Year-Old Jumpers. Great Britain's Richard Jeffries designed the track for the 7...

Americans Dominate at International Bromont CSI-W

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 7/28/2014 10:52:37 AM

Todd Minikus (Tom Von Kap-Herr) Bromont, Canada - The 2014 International Bromont’s final event, the World Cup Qualifier, ended with American riders dominatin, as they took seven of the top ten places, including the Top 5. Victory for Todd Minikus Designed for testing both the technical and athletic abilities of participating riders, the course created by Venezualian Leopoldo Palacios, comprised 13 obstacles for 16 efforts in a time allowed of 93 seconds. Only five pairs entered...

Reid Patton and Sincere Shine at Kentucky Summer Horse Show

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 7/26/2014 10:58:28 AM

Reid Patton and Sincere (E.Riden/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - - After an extremely successful junior career, Reid Patton has found continued success - and a more relaxed atmosphere - in a new division: the Amateur-Owner 18-35 3'3" Hunters. She dominated the division Friday at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, sweeping the over fences classes and finishing second under saddle with her own Sincere. "The transition to the amateurs has actually been great," Patton said. "The juniors were...

McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets Top 38 in $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

by HITS Horse Shows | 7/26/2014 10:36:23 AM

McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets fly to a win (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - When McLain Ward climbed down from the tack of Dulien Van De Smeets after winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis, he didn’t look for congratulations, but marched straight to the mare’s owner, his godmother. Susie Heller stood clutching a winner’s trophy and was scooped up by Ward’s embrace. Every win is special, but this was divinely special. This week marked the...

Overall Grand Championship Goes to Alexander and Cafe de Colombia at West Coast Jr. Hunter National Championship

by USEF Communications Department | 7/25/2014 4:34:49 PM

Ashton Alexander & Cafe de Colombia (Captured Moments Photography) Lexington, Ky. – The best junior riders attended the 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championship West Coast July 21-22 in hopes of being crowned the Overall Grand Champion. Over two days of tough competition at the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, Calif., riders competed in three phases: Classic Round, Under Saddle, and Handy Hunter. The Under Saddle phase counts for 20% of the rider's overall score, while both the...