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.

Over The Walls Horse Trials Cancelled

by Sarah Lane | Mar 10, 2005, 3:09 AM

In the past five years, Over the Walls Horse Trials at Great Meadowbrook Farm has become one of the premier horse trials in the world. However, due to increasing costs and a lack of adequate sponsorship, Erik Fleming and Torrance Watkins have decided to cancel their event. “It’s a bittersweet decision as we have loved working with the finest people to create the finest event for the finest horses,” said Watkins. In its five years of running, Over the Walls has attracted national and...

USEF Introduces Horse of the Year Awards for Driving

by Sarah Lane | Mar 1, 2005, 3:47 AM

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce a new and exciting opportunity for drivers to be recognized for their achievements, with the newly created Carriage Driving Horse of the Year Awards. The following class descriptions (restricted to open classes) are eligible for points: turnout, working, reinsmanship, obstacle driving, and coaching. There will be categories for both horses and ponies, and awards will be given for singles, pairs or...

McLain Ward Still a Driving Force on the Road to the 2005 FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final; Three Qualifiers Remain in the East Coast League

by By Sarah Lane | Feb 24, 2005, 11:50 AM

Randi Muster (McLain Ward) Lexington, KY – Exactly three-quarters of the way through a series of 12 qualifying competitions for the East Coast League, the dust of a heated race to the 2005 FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final is quickly starting to settle. Just as quickly, a clear trend in leaders begins to unfold, and Brewster, New York’s McLain Ward seems determined to lead the way to Las Vegas on April 20. Heading up a varied group of more than 60 riders, Ward holds onto the...

ParaEquestrian to be Included in the Youth Dressage Festival

by By Denise Avolio, NDSA | Feb 24, 2005, 9:16 AM

Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival (YDF), to be held in Saugerties, NY, August 12-14, 2005, is pleased to introduce the inclusion of ParaEquestrian competition in 2005. ParaEquestrian has recently been accepted by both the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) as a full discipline, providing national and international competition in both dressage and driving for individuals with a disability. Both sports have been developing for many...

Spring Training Session for All Long Listed Drivers in Southern Pines, CA

by By Wendy Wares-Cooke, USEF Director, High Performance Driving Activities | Feb 17, 2005, 12:07 PM

The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce that it will host a training session for Long Listed Drivers. Drivers on the 2005 Long Lists are invited to participate in training sessions with Australian driver Boyd Exell, April 6–8, at James Creek Farm in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Although he lives in England, Boyd was born in Australia and competes internationally for his country of birth. He became involved in equestrian sport at the age of eight, and was Australia’s...

Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Champion to be Crowned in June at HITS-on-the-Hudson; $150,000 in Prize Money Will Be Offered

by By Sarah Lane and Maria Partlow | Feb 17, 2005, 4:16 AM

Scene from the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, May 30, 2004. (Courtesy HITS and Fionn Reilly/Ulster Publishing) Lexington, KY – Following a hotly contested open to the 2005 competition season in the warmer climates, and a highly-anticipated fight for the prize at the World Cup Finals in April, claiming the title of U.S. National Champion will be yet another challenge facing some of equestrian sport’s best athletes in June. Truly a headliner competition for the United States Equestrian...

When You Can’t Travel by Saddle, Give Hertz’ Horsepower a Try… For a Special USEF Price

by Sarah Lane | Feb 16, 2005, 4:57 AM

As equestrians, we’re no strangers to travel. Our horses aren’t either. We travel for competitions, for business, and on chance occasions when sunshine lures us out of the barn, we sometimes travel just for fun. Regardless of our reasons, we know what we want on these trips. We want value. We want no-hassle solutions. We want peace of mind. And whenever possible, we want simple one-stop answers that offer all of the above! Try renting a car from Hertz. Trips become a little more...

World Class Athletes Setting Sights on United States; Dual 2005 FEI World Cup Finals to Start in April

by By Sarah Lane | Feb 10, 2005, 11:46 AM

View of the show jumping course at the 2003 World Cup Finals. (Jan Gyllensten) Some of the world’s best riders and horses are placing their bets on Las Vegas this year, eager to see if their scores from earlier qualifying competitions will be enough to earn a ticket to the entertainment capital of the world in April. If they make the final cut, they’ll join the ranks of dozens of world-class athletes, each hoping their skill, combined with Lady Luck, will earn the coveted title of...

Arabian Sport Horse Nationals Adds Driving to 2005 Championship

by By Molly Benstein, Arabian Horse Association | Feb 2, 2005, 2:09 PM

The 3rd Annual Sport Horse National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Sport Horse Nationals) returns to Lexington, VA, September 21-25, with the addition of a pleasure carriage driving division for Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians. Classes include pleasure driving working, pleasure driving reinsmanship and “pick your route” obstacles. All driving competition will take place on Wednesday, September 21st. Show entries may consist of single or multi horse hitches. All...

Spring Training Sessions for All Long Listed Drivers

by By Wendy Wares-Cooke | Feb 2, 2005, 10:26 AM

The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce that it will host a training session for Long Listed Drivers. Drivers on the 2005 Long Lists are invited to participate in training sessions with Swedish driver, Jan Erik (Nicke) Palsson, April 1–3 at Katydid Farm in Windsor, SC. A horse four-in-hand driver, Palsson originally began his equestrian career as a show jumper, but turned to combined driving in 1979. Winner of the top driver award in 1993, member of the Gold Medal Swedish...