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.

Hamilton Leads After First Day of Competition for the 2017 USEF Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 10/6/2017 9:11:00 AM

Lexington, Ky. – After the dressage phase of competition at the Kentucky Classic CDE Friday night, Nifty Hamilton (Alva, Fla.) and Makari Design lead the 2017 USEF Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship with 53.49 points. Nifty Hamilton and Makari Design (Picsofyou.com) The American drivers hold the next three positions behind Hamilton. Leslie Berndl (Newcastle, Calif.) and Uminco completed the first phase with 54.88 points, earning them the second position going into the...

Victoria Zahorik Takes Over Top Spot at the 2024 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals - West

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 11/9/2024 1:36:00 PM

Thermal, Calif . -- The 2024 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals – West continued with excitement as the second day brought the gymnastics phase to Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. This phase challenged the skills of the athletes as they navigated a series of intricate gymnastic lines, each carrying a score multiplier of 1.5. Victoria Zahorik and Quiwian, leaders after Phase II of the 2024 Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals - West (©Avery Wallace/US...

Hamilton and Makari Design Defend Their USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship Title at Southern Pines CDE

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | 4/15/2018 6:43:00 PM

Raeford, N.C. – The USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship came to a conclusion on Sunday with the cones phase at the Southern Pines Combined Driving Event (CDE). The athlete-and-horse combinations had to face Barry Hunter’s tough cones course to determine the ultimate winner. Jennifer “Nifty” Hamilton and Makari Design kept their cool in the final phase to win back-to-back national champion titles. Nifty Hamilton and Makari Design (Picsofyou....

Chester Weber Claims 15th USEF Four-in-Hand Combined Driving National Championship Title; Four Intermediate Champions Also Unveiled

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 3/18/2018 10:56:00 PM

Ocala, Fla. – The Live Oak International came to its exciting conclusion on Sunday with all five USEF Combined Driving National Championship divisions completing the cones phase. Chester Weber earned his record 15th USEF Four-In-Hand Combined Driving National Championship title with an overall score of 166.69 penalties, while four combined drivers earned inaugural USEF intermediate national titles. These included: Scott Adcox in the pair horse division with 185.39 penalties; Jennifer...

Seven New USEF Combined Driving National Champions Crowned at 2023 Spring Fling CDE

by Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Communications | 2/28/2023 3:00:00 PM

Ocala, Fla. – Combined driving competitors started the season off strong this week at the 2023 Spring Fling CDE hosted by the Florida Horse Park. This year, the event hosted USEF Combined Driving National Championships for CAI3* Advanced Pony divisions, CAI3* Pair Horses, and all Preliminary divisions. In total, seven national championship divisions were contested at the event. Suzanne Smith and Branson. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian USEF Preliminary Single Pony National Championship...

Important USEF Combined Driving Rule Changes

by US Equestrian Communications Department | 9/8/2022 9:30:00 AM

USEF rule changes occur in four different ways: Clarifications, Extraordinary rule changes, Standard changes, and adopting FEI rule changes. Clarifications and Extraordinary changes can happen at various points throughout the year – as they are necessary and time-sensitive modifications to the current rules. However, Standard changes and adopting FEI rules only happen once a year, just before the new season begins. Check out the new or upcoming rule changes for Combined Driving :...

Hamilton and Makari Design Maintain Their Lead in USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship at Southern Pines CDE

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | 4/14/2018 10:20:00 PM

Raeford, N.C. – The USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship continued on Saturday with the marathon phase at the Southern Pines Combined Driving Event (CDE). The athlete-and-horse combinations headed out on the Carolina Horse Park’s grounds to tackle Barry Hunter’s marathon track. Jennifer “Nifty” Hamilton and Makari Design held onto their lead to stay atop the overall leaderboard heading into the final phase on Sunday. Nifty Hamilton and...

Hamilton and Makari Design Lead After Day One of USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship at Southern Pines CDE

by Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department | 4/13/2018 10:13:00 PM

Raeford, N.C. – The USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship at the Southern Pines Combined Driving Event (CDE) began Friday with the dressage phase. Thirteen athlete-and-horse combinations headed down centerline to perform their tests, but Jennifer “Nifty” Hamilton and Makari Design stood out to the Ground Jury. The defending national champions lead the field heading into Saturday’s marathon phase. Nifty Hamilton and Makari Design (Picsofyou....

Thompson Earns Tricolors in the USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship at the Katydid Combined Driving Event

by US Equestrian Communications Department/Classic Communications | 11/4/2019 9:22:00 AM

Jennifer Thompson and Funnominial CG (Picsofyou.com) Aiken, S.C. – Jennifer Thompson and Funnominial CG added champion to their resume in the 2019 USEF Advanced Single Horse Combined Driving National Championship at the Katydid CDE. Thompson’s strong dressage test helped the pair earn the tricolors to finish with a final cumulative score of 156.87 penalties. With a banner year for the newly partnered Thompson (Lodi, Wis.) and Funnominial CG, her nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood...

Announcing the 2024 US Equestrian Higher Education Scholarship Winners

by Christine Rivet/US Equestrian | 11/1/2024 8:00:00 AM

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian awards five recipients the 2024 USEF Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship . Each year, high school seniors are awarded this scholarship to allow them to pursue equestrian sports during their years of higher education. Meet the 2024 USEF Higher Education Scholarship Winners Emily Arriaga. ©Liz Crawley Photo Emily Arriaga (Bahama, N.C.) is a freshman at the Savannah College of Art and Design where she will pursue a degree in Equestrian Studies and continue...