Wilbur "Sug" Utz, American Saddlebred trainer and owner of Blue Ridge Stables in Raytown, MO, died Wednesday, November 5, 2008. He was 90 years old. Sug, son of Emil and Sudie Utz, was born and raised on a farm outside Maysville in northwest Missouri. Coming from a horse training family, Sug learned his craft at his father’s side, along with his three brothers. Two of his brothers, Don and Jay, similar to Sug, went on to become world’s champion caliber Saddlebred men. They were all exciting...

With Grande Gil’s win at the American Royal in November, the five-year-old gelding has claimed the first American Saddlebred Triple Crown since 2004, sweeping the three-gaited open championships at Lexington Junior League, Kentucky State Fair and American Royal—the three shows which comprise the Saddlebred Triple Crown. The last Saddlebred to accomplish the feat in three-gaited was CH An Heir About Her in 2004. That same year, CH Boucheron took top honors at each of the Saddlebred Triple...

Smith Lilly and his gifted mount, He’s The Man (CH Man On The Town X Perfect), were the judges’ unanimous winners of the Five-Gaited World’s Grand Championship in Louisville’s Freedom Hall on Saturday evening, August 26. Having won the Five-Gaited Gelding Stake earlier in the week, the pair wowed the audience from the moment they came into the arena, with the trademark Louisville roar growing with every pass down a straightaway. In his comments to the show ring announcer, Smith was appreciative...

Lexington, Ky. -- US Equestrian is pleased to announce Bates Saddles as the Official Jumping Saddle of US Equestrian. Bates Saddles has been a longtime choice of equestrians throughout the world for many years, with their success established through the identification of the evolving needs of horses and athletes and creating saddles that address those needs. US Equestrian members who purchase a new Bates Saddle will be eligible to claim a free set of equestrian luggage from our partners at...

Springfield, Ohio – The International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) is set to host the 2021 World and Grand National Championship Horse Show in Springfield, Ohio, from September 29 through October 3. Entries have brought the best of the Friesian breed to compete in more than 200 classes over the course of the show. Classes include a variety of disciplines, such as dressage, Western dressage, English pleasure, carriage pleasure driving, trail, in-hand, and more. Judges Ron...

Lexington, Ky. - The stage is set for the 2018 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm to begin at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. From August 7-12, over 800 ponies from across the country will compete with their youth riders in hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. The live stream on the USEF Network will cover all of the competition from the Walnut and Alltech Arenas. View the streaming schedule . A pony hunter challenge between Great Britain and the U.S. that began in...

Mill Spring, N.C. - Tickets for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) are now on sale. Set for September 11 through September 23 in the scenic Carolinas region of the United States, spectators can choose from a variety of ticket types to experience the world's largest equestrian championship. With all competitions happening on site at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C., attendees can come for the day, a week, or the entire Games. Tickets are...

Lexington, Ky. - The stage is set for the 2017 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm to begin at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. From August 8-13, over 600 ponies from across the country will compete with their youth riders in hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. The live stream on the USEF Network will cover all of the competition from the Walnut and Alltech Arenas. View the streaming schedule . This year marks the 50th anniversary of the prestigious competition. A...

Lexington, Ky. - The United Professional Horsemen's Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association, American Hackney Horse Society and the American Road Horse & Pony Association joined the United States Equestrian Federation in supporting and applauding the recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement of new rules added to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) designed to end the practice of soring Tennessee Walking Horses and racking horses. Together we commend USDA's...

Parker, Colo. - The Adequan®/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) concluded the fourth day of competition at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP) showcasing show jumping, eventing, and dressage and featuring the USHJA North American Junior & Young Rider Show Jumping Championships Young Rider Individual Final, USDF North American Junior & Young Rider Junior Rider Individual Final and Young Rider Freestyle, while eventing took to the...