Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian (USEF) grieves the loss of one of equestrian sports’ leading figures, Keith Bartz (Naples, Fla.), who passed away on Saturday, January 27, at the age of 84. Bartz’s impact spanned equestrian sport, as he was a competitor, trainer, governance leader, and champion for the American Saddlebred. Keith Bartz (Adam Brennan - www.picturesbyab.com ) “Keith Bartz gave [back] to the horse-showing industry in so many ways. He had a strong moral...

CH Extremely Fortunut is going for her sixth Devon three-gaited country pleasure championship with rider Molly Codeanne. (Doug Shiflet) The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair in Pennsylvania has been very good to the aptly named American Saddlebred mare CH Extremely Fortunut, who competes in the three-gaited country pleasure division at this show. Devon, a United States Equestrian Federation Heritage Competition that runs through June 4, also features top-class hunter, jumper, and driving...

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (US Equestrian) has reluctantly accepted the resignation of its U.S. Eventing Technical Advisor David O’Connor. “Over many years, David has been a leader for US Equestrian as a whole and for eventing in particular,” remarked Murray Kessler, President of US Equestrian. “We reluctantly accept David’s resignation and support his desire to focus on chairing the Fédération Equestre...

Dr. John Steele (Kenneth Kraus) Acclaimed veterinarian Dr. John Steele was the linchpin behind the success of some of equestrian sports’ biggest names and their mounts. Up until his passing last month, one could find the 91-year-old Dr. Steele, or “Doc,” as many throughout the equestrian sport community knew him, hustling around show grounds, administering the utmost care to his equine clients. His tireless dedication to the horse and its rider made him one of the most...

Dear USEF Members, Congratulations to all our members on your accomplishments in 2016, and special congratulations to our Olympic Teams. The United States was one of only two countries to medal in all three equestrian disciplines. Thank you to all the owners, coaches, riders, grooms, support staff, and organizations who assisted in making all your achievements possible. As our year comes to a close, we thank you for your support of and involvement in US Equestrian and provide you with this...

Lauren Chumley and Nikolas show off their winning form in the inaugural National Dressage Pony Cup Five-Year-Old Futurity. (Jennifer M. Keeler) Lexington, Ky. - Ever since the Markel/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Young Horse Dressage Program was launched 14 years ago, the awareness, knowledge, and popularity of breeding and developing future generations of quality dressage horses in this country have increased dramatically. Now the National Dressage Pony Cup shined a...

Kelly Soldavin and her pony Ketadog Admiral are one of many competitors from across the country competing in this week’s National Dressage Pony Cup. (Aaron Soldavin) Lexington, Ky. - The Kentucky Horse Park will experience an abundance of cuteness this weekend as host of the 2016 National Dressage Pony Cup (NDPC) Championship Show, being held in conjunction with the Kentucky Dressage Association (KDA) Summer Classic and Breed Show I & II on July 8-10 in Lexington. But as any of the 110 NDPC...

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...

Gladstone, N.J. - The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded the 2016 Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant to eventing rider Jenny Caras of Cartersville, Georgia. Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude at 2015 Fair Hill. (Shannon Brinkman) The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. In 2015, 19-year-old Caras, with her talented mount Fernhill Fortitude, took the eventing world by storm as one of...

Samantha Karp and Zentina B (Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington, D.C. – The 57th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) kicked off six days of competition at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, DC, Tuesday. The day featured professional and amateur hunters competing in the first classes of their divisions, as well as year-end championships for the child and adult hunter competitors. This year’s WIHS continues through Sunday, October 25, featuring world-class...