Equestrians never forget their first ponies. Woolly or sleek, magnificent or mischievous, they are the teachers who reveal the most fundamental and enduring wisdom about life with horses: that it is joyous, that it is hard work, that it is a partnership which demands compromise but also makes us stronger. These special animals arrive from a remarkable variety of sources—sometimes handed down from siblings, sometimes expensively acquired, often bought cheaply from an auction or an ad or...

One year after launching an ambitious strategic plan—including rebranding the United States Equestrian Federation as US Equestrian—President Murray Kessler took the stage at Thursday’s live-streamed General Session to update members. Kessler set the theme of “Bringing Joy, Embracing Change” right from the start, showing how US Equestrian is rising to the challenges of its vision, to bring the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. US Equestrian...

KALISPELL, Mont. (July 22, 2016)-- Spirits were high today as family and friends gathered at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC), at The Event at Rebecca Farm, to celebrate a successful day of cross country for Team Canada's Young Rider team. Team Canada's combined score totaled 180.8 penalties, which was just enough to hold off second place team, Area 1/Area IV team at 182. April Simmons of Team Canada laughed,...

Saugerties, N.Y. – Dressage and jumping competition at the 2017 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) began on Wednesday at HITS-on-the-Hudson, and the rising stars of the sport have been delivering excellent performances. For the USDF North American Junior and Young Rider Dressage Championships of the NAJYRC, the Region 3 Young Rider Team claimed the first gold medal of the Adequan/FEI NAJYRC with a score of 209.684. The Region...

Courtney Calcagnini and Bowie win the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, Mich. - It was only in June that Courtney Calcagnini and Bowie made headlines, winning the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Country Heir Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky. Consistent contenders in the hunter derby program, Calcagnini showcased Bowie's talent once again during the Great Lakes Equestrian...

Amanda Flint and VDL Coverboy won the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, on July 9 at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (Andrew Ryback Photography) East Dorset, Vt. – Amanda Flint of Long Valley, NJ, and VDL Coverboy captured the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, on Saturday, July 9 at the 2016 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The Vermont Summer Festival runs for...

Kent Farrington and Gazelle (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB, Canada – USA’s Kent Farrington and Gazelle were the big winners in Saturday’s $375,000 Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex, in a fast and competitive seven-horse jump-off at Spruce Meadows. Conor Swail (IRL) and Grafton finished second, and Andrew Ramsay (USA) and California 62 placed third. The CIBC Cup was also featured on Saturday with a historic first international victory at Spruce Meadows for the...

Saugerties, N.Y. - Jumper exhibitors vied for the money in the $15,000 KindredBio Open Jumper Prix and the $10,000 Marshall & Sterling/TuffRider/EquineCouture Child and Adult Jumper Classic. $15,000 KindredBio Open Jumper Prix aura Chapot and Out Of Ireland on their way to a $15,000 KindredBio Open Jumper Prix win. (ESI Photography) Horses and riders showed up to the Grand Prix ring at HITS-on-the-Hudson I to battle it out for a blue-ribbon title in the $15,000 KindredBio Open Jumper Prix,...

Madison Goetzmann and Play It Again (The Book LLC) North Salem, N.Y. - Madison Goetzmann, 16, of Skaneateles, NY, rode to victory in the $5,000 Equitation Challenge aboard West Hill's Play It Again on Saturday at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running May 10-15 and May 17-22 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Highlighting Saturday’s hunter competition, Kelly Tropin of New York, NY, piloted her own Chablis to Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion, while Penny Brennan flew to a...

Victoria Colvin and Austria 2 (Mancini Photos) Wellington, Fla. - On the final day of competition at ESP Spring III, Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, earned top honors in the $30,000 PonyUp Horse Treats Grand Prix at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) aboard Austria 2, owned by Take The High Road, LLC, as the duo finished with a time of 33.174 seconds. Angel Karolyi of Aiken, SC, and Indiana 27 secured second place crossing the timers in 33.429 seconds, while Margie Engle of...