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,...

Frank Chapot passed away peacefully on June 20 at the age of 84. Whether it was in life or through the sport of show jumping, Chapot gave it his all. As a husband, father, friend, teammate, coach, and competitor, Chapot left Frank Chapot and Good Twist (Show Jumping Hall of Fame) an abiding mark on the sport and on those who knew him. For five decades, Chapot played an instrumental role on the U.S. Show Jumping Team. After winning the renowned Maclay Championship in 1947 at the junior level,...

Skyhawk and Alexis Taylor Silvernale (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - The $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby kicked off a grand Saturday morning at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano. After topping the first round, Alexis Taylor Silvernale and Skyhawk, owned by Aleron, LLC, continued to impress both judging panels in the Handy Round for the win in a challenging class. The honorable Bill Ellis and Christina Schlusemeyer judged as Panel One, and Scott...

Iwasaki & Reilly's Small Gesture, ridden by John French, is awarded $7,500 in prize money, FITS Riding breeches, a WCHR jacket and silver platter, as well as the Horseplay Encouraged trophy, presented by Valencia Saddlery. (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - In the $25,000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular at the Blenheim June Classic I, Small Gesture dominated the first round scoring with an impressive 92 from not just one panel, but both panels of judges. Competing fifth out of 30...

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run's Faustino De Tili (MegBanks/TIEC) Mill Spring, N.C. - On a historic and entertaining evening at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) featuring performances by Grammy-award winning artist Lee Greenwood and a special aviation demonstration by the Warbirds Flyover team, Kristen Vanderveen (USA) guided Bull Run's Faustino De Tili to their first ever FEI CSI 5* victory, signaling the conclusion of an incredibly successful spring series. The duo, which...

McLain Ward and Best Buy on their way to a $15,000 KindredBio Jumper Prix win. (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - Horses and riders descended upon Grand Prix Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson III to compete in Saturday’s $15,000 KindredBio Jumper Prix. McLain Ward, ranked the world’s number one rider in show jumping, returned to HITS-on-the-Hudson for the first time since his third-place finish in the 2015 Canadian Pacific $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo,...

West Yorkshire, England – The Bishop Burton College Under 25 CCI3* division tackled Ian Stark’s challenging cross-country course at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials on Saturday. Under the guidance of USEF Eventing Developing Rider Coach Leslie Law, Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude had a great round to sit in eighth place heading into the final day of competition. Caras (Cartersville, Ga.) is competing at Bramham as part of the Karen Stives European Developing Tour...