Breaking US Equestrian news releases contain the latest information regarding the organization, national championships, U.S. athletes and teams in international competition, breed news, and important member alerts. Manage the news you receive at the US Equestrian Preference Center.

HBO Real Sports

by Joanie Morris | 7/22/2008 9:24:00 AM

Tuesday, July 22nd, @ 10pm, HBO Real Sports will air its story on Eventing. While we certainly hope the story will be balanced and accurately portray our sport, we are concerned by the preview HBO sports put out late last week. The story is entitled "Deadly Ride" and features among others, an interview with a mother who has tried to force her daughter to stop eventing. USEF President David O'Connor did a lengthy interview for the story with Real Sports correspondent Frank DeFord. In the...

Luke Tokaruk Captures First Career Grand Prix in Colorado

by By Cindy Grisolia | 7/17/2008 1:48:00 PM

Talk about a Rocky Mountain High. Luke Tokaruk of the Aiken, SC-based Tokaruk Show Stables, earned his first grand prix victory this Saturday, winning the $25,000 High Prairie Grand Prix aboard his own Lucius 35 at the Colorado Circuit Opener. Both Luke and his brother Michael, aboard Lord Byron, were entered in the grand prix, the highlight of Week One. Both the Tokaruks described the huge course, done by Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios, as “big and tough.” Indeed, only four...

Amateur Sarah Gavigan Snatches Victory From Pros in the $30,000 Golden Gate Grand Prix

by By Marnye Langer | 7/8/2008 10:38:00 AM

Patrick Seaton wanted to win the $30,000 Golden Gate Grand Prix so he could claim the Woodside Jumper Accumulator prize of $20,000. Peter Breakwell wanted to win because he was tired of finishing second to Seaton. Macella O’Neill wanted to win because she is a fierce competitor and has a string of solid jumping horses. But in the end, a former Zone 10 Young Rider jumped a little higher, turned a little faster, and dared to leave a stride out to claim her first Grand Prix victory. Twenty-six...

U.S. Team Close Second After Two Phases as World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen's Marathon Preps Drivers for 2008 World Championships

by Joanie Morris | 7/5/2008 2:36:00 PM

Lexington, KY - U.S. Drivers Chester Weber and Tucker Johnson prepared for September's World Championships with solid performances at the prestigious CHIO Chester Weber's Second Place Team (Andres Steindl) Aachen today in Aachen, Germany. Weber and Tucker sit in second and fourth individually after the marathon and lie second, on a score of 296.81, less than a point behind The Netherlands (296.23), in the team portion of the competition. Weber, from Ocala, FL, has a two-day score of 144.64...

USEF 2008 Mid-Year Board Meeting A Productive Gathering

by Brian Sosby | 7/3/2008 12:09:00 PM

The United States Equestrian Federation’s Board of Directors held its annual mid-year meeting on June 24 at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, KY. Several important decisions regarding the immediate future of the Federation’s governance were addressed, as well as important and exciting marketing initiatives and the designation of the first horse show to receive the new “Heritage” designation. Current President David O’Connor was re-elected for a second four-year term....

Meredith Lipke Bartolone and Jennifer Alfano Bring Another Series of Wins to SBS Farms at Lake Placid Horse Show

by By Jenny Underwood | 7/3/2008 9:36:00 AM

It was a great week for SBS Farms and riders at the Lake Placid CSI*** show from June 25-29. Riders who were the shining stars of the show included Jennifer Alfano and Meredith Lipke Bartolone of Buffalo, NY. In the Regular Working Hunter division, Alfano was aboard Rock Star, owned by Bright Star 158 LLC. Rock Star and Alfano were awarded one second-place and four first-place ribbons. In addition, Rock Star was Regular Working Hunter Champion and Grand Hunter Champion at the show. The Second...

Benge Wins Individual Gold; U.S. Team Brings Home Silver at 2008 FEI World Championship for Drivers with Disabilities CPEAI 4*

by By Joanie Morris | 7/2/2008 1:21:00 PM

Lexington, KY – Aiken, SC resident Meghan Benge won an Individual Gold medal today at the 2008 FEI World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities CPEAI4* in Greven, Germany. Driving Jack, a pony borrowed from England, Benge won the dressage and never looked back. She also led the U.S. to a Team Silver at the conclusion of today’s Cones competition. Benge’s teammates were Arroyo Grande, CA.driver Diana Kastama, who drove her own horse Jasper to the Individual Bronze medal, followed very...

Stars Line Up for Five USEF National Championships at 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions

by Gillian Ellis | 6/18/2008 12:47:00 PM

Lexington, KY - Five USEF National Champions will be crowned after two weekends of dressage competition in San Juan Capistrano, CA June 21-22 and June 27-29. Always an exciting competition Kassandra Barteau and Gabriella (PhelpsPhotos.com) amongst the nation’s best dressage riders, this year the National Grand Prix Dressage Championship is also the USEF Selection Trials for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Dressage. The best horses and riders in each division are coming from across the...

Miracle Pony an Inspiration

by By Meadow Haven Horse Sanctuary | 6/4/2008 10:50:00 AM

Meet Molly. She's a gray speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Katrina hit southern Louisiana. She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected and her vet went to Louisiana State University (LSU) for help. But LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes. But after...

Equitation Day Added to Beacon Hill Schedule

by By Susan Benson | 5/8/2008 10:51:00 AM

The 2008 Beacon Hill Equestrian Grand Prix presented by Mackenzie Keck, Inc., has been expanded this year to include a day dedicated to junior equitation riders. This year’s show will begin on Thursday, June 19, and will run through Sunday, June 22, and will be held at Beacon Hill Show Stables in Colts Neck, NJ. The addition of an equitation day is a natural evolution for the show, as equitation is the foundation of jumper riding. The Beacon Hill Equestrian Grand Prix showcases jumper talent...