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Equestrian Weekly

The all new Equestrian Weekly newsletter showcases the best of US Equestrian, including new Learning Center videos, the USEF Network schedule, and original articles. Equestrian Weekly keeps members informed about affiliate news, international competitions, information on rule changes, membership updates, special member offers, and more.

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How it Works: USEF Competition Licensing

by Leslie Potter | Feb 15, 2022, 2:00 PM EST

When Derek Braun decided to launch the first edition of what would becoming the Split Rock Jumping Tour, he was looking to fill a particular niche. A lifelong show jumping competitor and a professional in the industry, Braun had been to horse shows around the country and the world and knew the need he wanted his shows to meet. But building a new event from scratch is no small feat, and today Braun says that working with USEF on the licensing process for that first show in 2015 was instrumental...

10 Things We Learned from the 2022 Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic Week

by Leslie Potter | Jan 25, 2022, 1:00 PM EST

Sabine Schut-Kery instructing Bianca Schmidt. ©Taylor Pence Photography Each winter, some of the country’s top up-and-coming dressage riders are invited to learn from the pros at the Robert Dover USEF Horsemastership Clinic Week. The 2022 clinic began with an introductory lecture on dressage theory from Dover himself and continued with instruction from clinicians George Williams, Sabine Schut-Kery, Olivia LaGoy-Weltz, Ali Brock, and Adrienne Lyle. Watch Robert Dover's dressage...

Dr. Rick Mitchell Q&A: What’s Next in Veterinary Medicine?

by Glenye Cain Oakford | Jan 18, 2022, 3:34 PM EST

Dr. Rick Mitchell Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Rick Mitchell Dr. Rick Mitchell understands horses inside and out, as both an equine veterinarian and a longtime equestrian. He grew up among horses at his family’s North Carolina farm and competed as a child in both the saddle seat and hunter jumper disciplines before becoming focusing on hunter jumper sport exclusively as an adult. He has served as a licensed judge, coach, and trainer during his varied and successful equestrian career. A graduate...

USEF Congratulates 2021 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant Winners

by Samantha Robinson | Jan 3, 2022, 9:50 AM EST

After a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant program welcomed over 100 participants in both Zone competitions and the national competition at the USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms. The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Grant program promotes proper horsemanship among equestrian youth by encouraging juniors, and specifically the many pony riders competing in hunter/jumper sections, to learn about and practice their horsemanship skills. The program provides...

10 Questions for Electronic Vet’s Dr. Barbara Blasko

by Glenye Cain Oakford | Dec 28, 2021, 10:49 AM EST

Electronic Vet's Dr. Barbara Blasko competers her horse Dior in the low amateur jumpers (Captured Moment Photography) Dr. Barbara Blasko, a jumping athlete and horse owner, knows about the pitfalls of paper veterinary records from an unfortunate personal experience in 2013. “The horse I had was being shipped to a horse show, and when he got there he didn’t have his vaccine record. The paper wasn’t there, so he wasn’t allowed to enter the showgrounds,” recalled...

“You Only Have One Head—Look After It!”

by Glenye Cain Oakford | Dec 21, 2021, 3:55 PM EST

Charles Owen's internal testing of the Halo and Luna helmets showed that the company "squeezed even more safety performance into these new styles," said Matt Stewart, Charles Owen's Head of Innovation. (Courtesy of Farrell Guy/Charles Owen) Developing a new equestrian helmet involves a lot more than rethinking style—after all, it’s a crucial piece of safety equipment. For the team at Charles Owen, that means not only keeping up with safety advances and technology, but...

How It Works: International and National Horse of the Year and Equestrian of the Year Awards

by Leslie Potter | Dec 20, 2021, 5:00 PM EST

The SmartPak/USEF National and International Horse of the Year Awards and USEF Equestrian of the Year Awards are among the highest honors for achievement in equestrian sports. Many members are familiar with these awards through the voting process; all USEF members are able to participate in online voting to select the ultimate winners of these titles. But there is a multi-step process that takes place before the finalists make it to the ballot. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for...

Need Health Coverage? USEF Membership Can Help!

by | Nov 16, 2021, 2:37 PM EST

"The rates are better than anything that I have found so far," Paralympian Bea de Lavalette said of the health coverage. Photo: Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Did you know your USEF membership can help you get health coverage , even if you have a pre-existing condition? That’s just one of the many great benefits USEF membership offers. USEF paid-fan members (to be known "USEF Subscribers" as of Dec. 1, 2021) and competing members can take advantage of guaranteed-issue health benefits at...

Laura Graves on the Benefits of Remote Coaching

by US Equestrian | Nov 2, 2021, 10:38 AM EST

Thanks to technology like Move ’N See ’s robot cameramen, equestrians can now take lessons and clinics remotely—which Laura Graves on Verdades at the 2019 FEI Dressage World Cup Final. Photo: US Equestrian translates into more convenience, more lessons, and even coaching with more distant trainers that previously might not have been as easily accessible. There can be advantages for coaches, too, who can reach more students and cut down on travel time. We asked Laura Graves,...

Costume or Cultural Appropriation? A Costuming Guide to Create Joy, not Offense

by US Equestrian and The Inclusion Playbook | Oct 19, 2021, 2:04 PM EST

It is finally “Spooky Season” and Halloween is right around the corner! Costumes for horses and their humans can be fun, cute, or clever. The creativity, enthusiasm, and sometimes downright brilliant horsemanship that equestrians put into creating their costumes is a joy to see every year. However, costumes can sometimes make people feel uncomfortable, unsafe, and unwelcome. Costume decisions can be harmful or offensive to others if they appropriate or mock a culture or faith,...