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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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Riders Welcome American Saddlebred Hunter Country Pleasure Division’s Debut at 2019 World’s Championship Horse Show

by Glenye Cain Oakford | Aug 20, 2019, 3:00 PM EST

The historic World’s Championship Horse Show , which takes place Aug. 17-24 in Louisville, Ky., is already underway. And this year, supporters of the popular American Saddlebred hunter country pleasure division will be celebrating the competition with even more enthusiasm than usual, as the 2019 show marks that division’s debut at the World’s Championship. Phyllis Brannon's champion Harlem’s Sweet Success, ridden by the owner's daughter Caitlin, is among the...

Conquering Obstacles, Overcoming Limitations: The Shetland Ponies That Are Changing Lives

by Ashley Swift | Aug 16, 2019, 2:00 PM EST

The American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC) recently hosted the 73 rd annual National Congress in Lake St. Louis, Mo., where registered Shetland ponies vied for national championship titles in everything from halter to jumpers in-hand to multi-hitch driving. One small but mighty group competing for a variety of championships was the Palas family of Story City, Iowa. Greg Palas, along with his wife and their three children, brought a very special group of Shetland ponies to show in the Conquering...

The Science Behind Your Horse’s Feed

by Glenye Cain Oakford | Aug 13, 2019, 11:54 AM EST

“Research into the equine microbiome and specific probiotics already has affected nutrition knowledge a lot,” Dr. Bill Vandergrift says. Photo: Kim Russell Feeding horses today isn’t just a matter of tossing every horse the same kind of grain and adjusting the amount based on each horse’s weight. Today, thanks to research and advances in equine nutrition, feed works in a more efficient and targeted way. That presents opportunities to pinpoint and address specific needs...

$600 Rescue Pony Makes a Splash at 2019 USEF Pony Finals Presented by Collecting Gaits Farm

by Ashley Swift | Aug 11, 2019, 7:17 PM EST

Eleven-year-old Alpine Griffin (Fort Collins, Colo.) and her mom/trainer Suzanne Cox Griffin attended the 2019 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm with a black and white pinto new to the pony hunter scene and a remarkable background. Always Chipper, Suzanne’s nine-year old pony gelding, is an exhibitor favorite everywhere they go but this is the first year he has competed at Pony Finals. They finished in the top 20 of the Small Green Hunter Pony National Championship and...

Personal Bests and Family Support Mean More than Ribbons for Pony Finals First-Timer Ann Frances Truluck

by Ashley Swift | Aug 11, 2019, 3:22 PM EST

The USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm enthusiastically welcomes a new group of riders and ponies every year. This year, Ann Frances Truluck (Columbia, S.C.) came to Pony Finals for the first time to compete one pony in the largest section of the hunter championships, the Medium Regular Hunter Pony National Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans. Truluck rode Jessie Spade’s 13-year-old Warmblood gelding All Yours, and this relatively new partnership has been...

Model Phase Tips from 12-Year-Old Best Presented Model Pony Award Winner

by Kathleen Landwehr | Aug 10, 2019, 4:00 PM EST

The 2019 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm may be winding down, but it is never too early to start thinking about next year. The Model phase of the hunter pony divisions is something that can be foreign to young competitors, but 12-year-old Susannah Morrell (Lakeland, Fla.) has a few tips for anyone looking ahead to next year. Susannah Morrell and Southern Rhapsody at the 2019 USEF Pony Finals presented by Collecting Gaits Farm (Kathleen Landwehr/US Equestrian) Susannah is...

Half-Arabian Mare Proves Variety is the Spice of Life

by Hope Ellis-Ashburn | Aug 6, 2019, 3:02 PM EST

Hope Ellis-Ashburn and her Arabian mare, Sally. Photo: Courtesy of Hope Ellis-Ashburn When I first became involved with Arabian horses in the mid-1980s, just one of my idols was the iconic Khemosabi +++//. He was wildly successful, and I admired him at least partially for his versatility, a quality that for me would come to personify the Arabian breed to whom, for decades, I have dedicated my life. Khemosabi was a multi-talented, multi-discipline champion who filled me with excitement. However,...

Pony Power

by Ashley Swift, US Equestrian Communications | Aug 5, 2019, 3:23 PM EST

Competitors and spectators at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Mars Equestrian are used to seeing a variety of horse breeds among the entries, from Thoroughbreds to Irish Sport Horses. But there were two entries this year who prove that ponies can add some punch to any athlete's pedigree! Sparrow's Nio and Allie Sacksen Photo: Alex Banks/US Equestrian Sparrow’s Nio (Grange Finn Sparrow x JB/Unknown) 2003 Connemara /Thoroughbred gelding Owner/Rider: Allie...

What Makes the Adequan® FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North So Special? Thoughts from Alums on Their Experiences

by Glenye Cain Oakford, Kathleen Landwehr, and Dana Riddlemoser | Aug 3, 2019, 11:08 AM EST

The Adequan ® FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North have provided countless learning experiences for young athletes and their supporters over the years. Being on a team with other aspiring individuals and working towards a goal teaches much to everyone involved. Past participants Callie Jones (dressage), Michael Murphy (jumping), and Martin Kuhn (dressage) have reaped the benefits from their NAYC appearances and think others can, too. Callie Jones Callie Jones is...

NAYC: A Family Affair

by Ashley Swift and Glenye Cain Oakford | Aug 1, 2019, 4:22 PM EST

For some athletes and their parents, the Adequan® FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North becomes a long-term commitment that lasts even after the young riders have aged out of the competition. We spoke to members of two families— Holly and Ralph Caristo and Debbie and Nicole DelGiorno—about what makes the NAYC so special and why they’ve stayed involved. Ralph and Holly Caristo Holly and Ralph Caristo at the 2019 NAYC at Old Salem Farm. Photo: Erin...