Traverse City, Mich. – A dream came through for Erin Nichols on Saturday at the 2022 FEI North American Youth Championship (NAYC) as she finished in gold-medal position for the Individual Young Rider Dressage division. Erin Nichols and Handsome Rob AR. ©KTB Creative Group Nichols (Yorba Linda, Calif.) expertly guided her own Handsome Rob AR, a 2012 Dutch Warmblood gelding, through a precise and flowing test that earned a 69.000% from the judges. The victory comes after Nichols and...

Lucinda Donaldson and Audi. ©Andrew Ryback When 15-year-old Lucinda (Lucy) Donaldson gave her final salute in the opening junior dressage test of the 2022 FEI North American Youth Championship , it was the realization of dreams. The top-15 finish in her NAYC debut was an accomplishment for her, her horse Audi, and her entire family. Lucinda, who represents Region 1 from Parkesburg, Pa., is the daughter of equine vet Mark Donaldson and stepdaughter of USDF gold, silver and bronze medalist...

Herning, Denmark – Kimberly “Kimmy” Palmer (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) topped the standings again for the U.S. Vaulting Team again today in the FEI Individual Female Technical Test, earning a personal best score of 8.329, to hold sixth place overall with a combined score of 8.129 heading into the final day of competition. Teammate Tessa Divita earned a 7.724., with an overall two-test score of 7.782, to hold tenth place, while Emily Rose (Santa Cruz, Calif.) received a 6.495, for...

Naples, Fla. - US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara and CEO Bill Moroney delivered the General Session presentation to members and staff on January 14 at the US Equestrian Annual Meeting in Naples, Fla. They looked back at the successes and improvements made by US Equestrian in 2021 and laid out three priorities for 2022 with the theme of Ride United. Grow Together. US Equestrian senior staff also provided updates on 2021 and what is ahead in 2022. US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara...

Mill Spring, N.C. – With the second day of competition at The Dutta Corp Tryon International Three-Day Event in the bag, Area II is dominating the leaderboards in the inaugural Adequan®/USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge – East Coast Final. The Youth Team Challenge invited athletes ages 14-25 to compete as team members and individuals in the CCI1*, CCI2*-L, and CCI3*-L divisions. Teams consist of three or four members and may be composed of members from different USEA Areas to...

Mill Spring, N.C. – Rebecca Hart (Wellington, Fla.) and Fortune 500 stole the show this week at the 2021 Adequan®/USEF Para Dressage National Championship, producing three lovely tests to top national championship competition for the first time in their partnership. Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 were presented with reserve national champion honors following their first competition after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Competition concluded today at Tryon International Equestrian...

Allentown, N.J. – Two of last year’s combined driving national champions successfully defended their titles this week at the Garden State Combined Driving Event. Taylor Bradish (Windsor, S.C.) secured the 2021 USEF Advanced Single Horse National Championship, and Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) took home his 18th USEF Advanced Four-in-Hand National Championship. Taylor Bradish and Katydid Duchess. ©Taylor Pence/US Equestrian Bradish drove Katydid Duchess, a 2009 Welsh Pony cross...

Unionville, Pa. – The final short format competition on the East Coast for the inaugural year of the Adequan ® /USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge (YTC) series took place Sept. 15-19 in Unionville, Pa. Three teams contested the CCI2*-S and two teams went head-to-head in the CCI3*-S. Jack Curtis and Luska Candy Clover. ©Amy K. Dragoo The Unionville event drew competitors from across the country, with athletes representing a total of seven USEA Areas. Teams are composed of three or...

Wayne, Ill. – Another packed day of competition took place at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions on Saturday. Seven divisions performed their respective tests, with six titles up for grabs. Impressive scores, strong partnerships, and excellent riding highlighted the penultimate day at the prestigious event. Adequan®/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship Kat Fuqua and DreamGirl (SusanJStickle.com) Eleven pairs competed in the FEI Junior Individual Test of the...

Lexington, Ky. – Kendra Wise has been crowned the 2021 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final champion at the 85 th Annual Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show. In the last class of the morning session on Wednesday, July 14, eight competitors demonstrated their skill during group railwork, and then executed an intricate individual pattern designed by judges Anne Judd (Lutz, Fla.), Paul Boone (Concord, N.C.), and Kristen Cater (Dunbarton, N.H.). In the 21 th anniversary of the...