Fulton, Mo. – After impressive showings at the Saddle Seat World Cup Team Trials, 12 riders were chosen to represent the United States at the 2014 Saddle Seat World Cup. Thirty-two aspiring athletes, twenty in three gaited competition and twelve in five-gaited, from twenty-six states tried-out at William Woods University on Saturday. They rode two phases in a chilly but snow and ice free atmosphere. Each phase consisted of one rail ride and one pattern ride on unfamiliar horses. After the...

Jessica Wuesthofen, winner of the 2013 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final, aboard CH EQ Chanti's Prayer (Howard Schatzberg) Kansas City, Mo. – A talented field of competitors entered the Kemper Arena on Saturday, November 16, in hopes of winning the USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final at the United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) American Royal National Championship. The judging panel comprised of Kim Cowart (Statesville, N.C.), Sandra Currier (Bellville, Texas) and Cecile Hetzel Dunn...

Lexington, Ky. - Horses and riders danced the day away in the Alltech Arena in six freestyle championship divisions during the inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Despite facing some of the best horses and riders in their divisions from across the country, competitors rose to the challenge in their quest for national titles while also gaining the experience of a lifetime. In the Third Level Freestyle Championship, Region 1 rider...

Lillie Keenan piloted Clearway to the 2013 ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals Championship at the Alltech National Horse Show (Shawn McMillan Photography) Lexington, Ky. - In many ways, it came as no surprise when the champion of the 2013 ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay National Finals was announced as Lillie Keenan of New York, NY. The young phenom has been at the top of the sport since she was a pony rider, and this has been an exceptional year for her career. It began with the 2013 North American Junior...

Pau, France - A strong group of U.S. pony drivers have assembled in Pau, France. this week for the 2013 FEI Pony World Driving Championships which run October 31 throughNovember 3. Three drivers return from the 2011 squad that secured Team Bronze in Lipica, Slovenia, and will look to secure The U.S. Team (Marie de Ronde/USEF Archive) another podium finish for the United States. Single Pony Championship Tracey Morgan (Beallsville, Md.) heads to Pau on strong form having notched three wins this...

Conor Swail and GAME READY (AlCookPhoto.com) Harrisburg, PA - It was an exciting evening as some of the world's top riders competed in the $40,000 Pennsylvania 'Big Jump' competition. Ireland's Conor Swail and GAME READY, owned by Sue Grange, were last to go in the jump-off, and pulled out all the stops to clinch the win in 34.54 seconds at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. "It feels great to win", said Swail. "The horse is a very good horse, he's a fast horse and very...

Elizabeth Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night (Libby Law Photography) Lexington, Ky. - The U.S. horse-and rider combinations are poised for the FEI Nations Cup competition at the Military Boekelo CCIO3*, October 10-13, 2013 in Boekelo, The Netherlands. Elizabeth Halliday-Sharp, Lauren Kieffer, and Boyd Martin make up the team representing the U.S. Following the first horse inspection, 104 combinations from 11 nations are ready to contest the challenging three-day event, which is the seventh...

Beezie Madden & Simon jumped a clear round in Barcelona Friday (Beatrice Scudo) Barcelona, Spain - The first ever Final of the new look Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup series got started in at CSIO5* Barcelona Friday and, with the backdrop of a beautiful day, a strong set of horses and riders from 18 countries looked to qualify for Sunday's eight-team final round. Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland's U.S. team was looking to finish a strong season with a top result, but suffered a...

Lexington, Kentucky - The United States heads into the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final as the winner of the North American League and will look to again showcase its winning form. Teams from 18 nations have traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to contest the inaugural Final, which is held in conjunction with CSIO5* Barcelona, September 26-29, 2013. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland brings a group of steely veterans and rising stars to Spain. Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Reed Kessler, Lucy...

Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. Arabian Sport Horse Nationals September 18-22 Lexington, Virginia The Arabian Horse Celebration September 18-21 Louisville, Kentucky Dressage NEDA...