Lexington, Ky. - The Grand Slam of Eventing Series began in 1999 and rewards athletes for the pinnacle of success internationally across three legendary five-star events, the Defender Kentucky Three Day Event, Mars Badminton Horse Trials and Defender Burghley Horse Trials. For the first time in 23 years, the title sponsorship of this iconic series has become available. This prestigious award is presented to a rider who has won all three Grand Slam events consecutively (not necessarily in the...

Ermelo, Netherlands – Three U.S. combinations took significant learning and international experience away from the 2024 WBFSH FEI Dressage World Breeding Championships hosted in Ermelo, Netherlands. The U.S. fielded one combination in the 5YO division and two in the 7YO division at the prestigious annual championships. The combinations were supported by U.S. Chef d’Equipe and Development Coach Christine Traurig. “I came away from these World Breeding Championships so inspired...

Lier, Belgium – The U.S. Young Rider and Junior Jumping Teams completed their final day of competition at the FEI Nations Cup Youth Jumping Final after both teams earned qualifying spots via two separate qualifiers earlier in the week to contest Sunday’s final event. The U.S. Junior Jumping Team impressed all week with strong performances across each of the qualifying classes, taking the coveted top honors on the final day on a total of zero faults. The U.S. Young Rider Jumping Team...

Le Pin au Haras, France – Competition at the 2024 FEI Driving World Championship for Single Horses gets underway on Thursday, Sept. 19, and all three members of the Defender U.S. Driving Team are set to begin after all horses passed inspection on Wednesday morning. ©Melanie Guillamot Leslie Berndl (Lexington, Ky.) with Impressive, Taylor Bradish (Windsor, S.C.) with Katydid Duchess, and Raymond Helmuth (Cambridge, Iowa) with Kendro, will represent the U.S. in a field of 19 countries...

In December, elections will occur for the following athlete representative seats. Service will begin January 2025 for the term indication below. Team USA AC, formerly the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council (“AAC”), serves as the representative group and voice of Team USA athletes. Team USA AC is responsible for broadening communication between the USOPC and active athletes and serves as a source of input and advice to the USOPC board of directors. Additionally, the Team USA AC...

Lexington, Ky. – Under an approved US Equestrian rule change effective Dec. 1, 2024, ponies will be eligible for two green years. Ahead of this effective date, US Equestrian will accept requests for green pony reinstatements through Nov. 30, 2024. Members wishing to reinstate their ponies’ first green year may submit a request through their member dashboard at members.usef.org . ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Ponies must meet the criteria outlined in the USEF Rulebook in section...

Championship season is upon us, and some of the largest and most prestigious regional and national shows for national breeds and disciplines will take place this month. Tune in to the livestreams or attend in person to cheer on your favorite horses this September. September 9-14, 2024 AHA Sport Horse Nationals Wilmington, Ohio Arabians and Half-Arabian sport horses return to the World Equestrian Center in Ohio to compete for national champion titles in disciplines including hunters, jumpers,...

Monpazier, France – Two U.S. combinations successfully completed the 2024 FEI Endurance World Championship for Seniors on Saturday, Sept. 7, joining some of the sport’s top international athletes in finishing the 160 km (100-mile) ride in southwestern France. Holly Corcoran and Lorienn. ©Terry Shampoe Holly Corcoran (Stroudsburg, Pa.) and Kelsey Russell (Williston, Fla.) crossed the finish line together, coming in 33 rd and 34 th out of a field of more than 130 starters....

Szilvásvárad, Hungary – Chester Weber earned an individual podium finish for the Defender U.S. Driving Team at the 2024 FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand Horses this week, clinching the bronze medal. Chester Weber during the marathon phase of the 2024 FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand Horses. ©FEI/Martin Dokoupil The competition, held at Hungary’s State Stud Farm at Szilvásvárad Sept. 4-8, 2024, started out with a bang for...

Szilvásvárad, Hungary – Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) and his team secured the individual bronze medal at the 2024 FEI Driving World Championships for Four-in-Hand Horses, finishing three phases on a final score of 159.13. This is Chester's fifth individual World Championship medal in his storied career. ©FEI Chester and team broke the world record in dressage on Friday with their score of 31.06 and continued their successful week of competition with their overall...