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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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Dressage4Kids Brings Unlimited Opportunities to Young Riders

by Debbie Elliot | Aug 22, 2024, 5:25 PM EST

Olympic dressage rider Lendon Gray grew up in Old Town, Maine, as a dedicated member of the Pony Club. While she went on to have a highly successful equestrian career as a rider and trainer, and was inducted into the United States Dressage Federation Hall of Fame in 2011, the broad depth of education about horses that she learned in the Pony Club has always remained important to Gray. It inspired her to launch Dressage4Kids in 1999 after she noticed that many young riders she encountered had...

Meet the Mares of the 2024 Adequan®/USEF Para Dressage National Championship

by Leslie Potter | Aug 20, 2024, 10:00 PM EST

The competitors in the 2024 Adequan ® /USEF Para Dressage National Championship are all talented, dedicated athletes. Another thing they have in common? All three are mounted on mares as they vie for the national championship title, and their talented equine partners are proving that they have what it takes to succeed in this discipline. Kimique and Paige Schmidt. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Kimique: The Matriarch Paige Schmidt (Lake Geneva, Wisc.), rides Kimique, a tri-color pinto...

Youth Dressage Riders Gain Experience on the World Stage Through the European Young Rider Tour

by Leslie Potter | Aug 18, 2024, 12:00 PM EST

The depth of youth dressage talent in the U.S. is impressive, as seen at events such as the FEI North American Youth Championships and the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions . But for youth dressage athletes who aspire to represent the U.S. on senior teams in the future, gaining experience competing overseas is still an essential part of preparation. Kat Fuqua and Dreamgirl at CHIO Aachen in 2024. ©Shannon Brinkman Photo Every year, up-and-coming young dressage athletes and their horses...

Paris 2024 Olympic Preview: US Equestrian’s David O’Connor Describes the ‘Iconic’ Venue at Versailles

by Debbie Elliot | Jul 23, 2024, 10:52 AM EST

From July 27-Aug. 11 and Sept. 3-7, equestrian fans from around the world will be able to witness Olympic and Paralympic athletes competing at one of the most iconic locations in the history of the modern Games. The Palace of Versailles park, approximately 18 miles southwest of Paris, will host the equestrian disciplines for the 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games. The grounds of the palace, which date back to 1623 when it was built as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII, houses temporary...

5 Reasons Always Chipper was the “Against All Odds” Pony at Breyerfest

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Jul 16, 2024, 1:32 PM EST

If you visit the Kentucky Horse Park in the middle of July, you are bound to find countless horse lovers with their beloved Breyer models at the annual Breyerfest event, but this year, Breyer fans had a chance to fall in love with a new model pony and his remarkable story – Always Chipper (“Chip”). We had a chance to catch up with his owner, Sue Griffin, and his current rider August Novotny and her mom, Sunny Geiser to find out why Chip is such an inspiring pony who defied all...

Community Outreach Visit Recap: Kindle Hill Foundation

by Emily Girard | Jul 9, 2024, 11:46 AM EST

Saly Glassman, the president and founder of Kindle Hill, said she prioritizes her clients' mental health and self-esteem in every workshop. Photo: Avery Wallace/US Equestrian The Kindle Hill Foundation website states that the charity’s mission is to “support members of our community who can benefit from equine assisted learning and therapy, to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.” Located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Kindle Hill’s facility provides EAL...

Meet Our Community Outreach Organizations: Prancing Horse

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Jun 25, 2024, 9:52 AM EST

Located in the sandhills of North Carolina, Prancing Horse Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship provides services for therapeutic riding for a wide range of people, from individuals with special needs and veterans, to local schools and groups. A PATH-accredited therapeutic riding center, Prancing Horse’s mission is to enhance the lives of individuals by providing a safe environment for participants to learn and grow with horses. Prancing Horse was named a USEF Community Outreach...

Meet Our Community Outreach Organizations: Great Oak

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Jun 11, 2024, 10:52 AM EST

Located in Aiken, South Carolina, Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs provide equine assisted activities that promote the physical, emotional, and psychological health of individuals with special needs. Great Oak’s programs are the catalyst for unbridled personal growth and awareness, as they share their knowledge and empower individuals and their families. One of the great strengths of Great Oak is their attention to detail. Each participant has individualized instruction to best serve...

Letters and Stars: Breaking Down Competition/Horse Designations

by Emily Girard | Jun 11, 2024, 10:26 AM EST

The $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* presents many of the naming and abbreviation conventions of FEI events. Photo: Taylor Pence/ISG If you are not intimately familiar with the equestrian world, the symbols and abbreviations used to designate equestrian competitions and champion horses can be confusing. Upon reading about these events, you’re met with names like the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Vilamoura CSIO3* and the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5*-L. Additionally, when looking at...

“I Have Found My Community” – I Am US Equestrian with Rob Van Jacobs

by Rob Van Jacobs | May 28, 2024, 12:45 PM EST

Rob Van Jacobs explained that continuing to show makes him a better judge, and judging makes him a better exhibitor. Photo: Julia B Photography While my love for horses started around the age of six, I didn’t start riding until I was in seventh grade, which is a little later in life than most of my colleagues. I grew up in a suburb in Maryland a few miles outside Washington D.C. I've always loved horses and thought they were incredible animals, but I did not have immediate access to...