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.

U.S. Olympic Eventing Team Tied for Sixth after Dressage at Rio Olympic Games

by USEF Communications Department | Aug 7, 2016, 5:37 PM

Lauren Kieffer and Veronica (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Eventing competition at the Olympic Equestrian Center at Deodoro continued on Sunday with the second day of dressage. The U.S. Olympic Eventing Team moved up from seventh place and is now tied with New Zealand for sixth place on a total of 137.50. Lauren Kieffer and Phillip Dutton gave strong performances for the U.S. in a hotly contested team competition. Germany currently leads the team standings on a total of...

Graburn Finishes as Top American at 2016 FEI World Driving Championships for Singles

by Kathleen Landwehr | Aug 7, 2016, 4:31 PM

Piber Köflach, Austria – The U.S. Driving Team of Donna Crookston, Sterling Graburn, and Suzy Stafford, along with individual Leslie Berndl, made a valiant effort at the 2016 FEI World Driving Championships for Singles, which proved to be a true championship test. The strong international field consisted of 75 combinations from 23 countries, and after four days of competition, the U.S. team finished 14th. Sterling Graburn and Mannkato (Krisztina Horváth/Hoefnet.com) Graburn (Paris,...

Sweetnam Wins Second Saturday Grand Prix in the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix

by Phelps Media Group | Aug 7, 2016, 9:58 AM

Shane Sweetnam and Cobolt (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - After winning the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix last Saturday, Shane Sweetnam and the Blue Buckle Group LLC's Cobolt returned one week later to pick up another victory under the lights, this time in the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, sponsored by GGT Footings. Forty-seven horse-and-rider combinations attempted Marina Azevedo's first-round track, with only four eventually advancing to the...

Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisschop Dominate $75,000 Grand Prix at Chicago Festival of the Horse

by Phelps Media Group | Aug 7, 2016, 9:35 AM

Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisshop (Devaney Iglesias/Phelps Media Group) Wayne, Ill. - After a gallop to the final line and a double-clear effort, the crowd at Lamplight Equestrian Center rose to their their feet and cheered for Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisschop. The 17-year-old was all smiles as she crossed the finish line, while her mount soaked in the applause and celebrated their victory in the $75,000 Grand Prix at the Chicago Festival of the Horse. "He knew he did well,"...

Putnam Finishes Fifth at 2016 FEI World Para-Driving Championships

by Kathleen Landwehr | Aug 7, 2016, 12:30 AM

Beesd, The Netherlands – Stefanie Putnam made her European debut at the 2016 FEI World Para-Driving Championships and impressed with a stellar performance. As the sole U.S. representative, Putnam looked right at home competing against a strong international field. She partnered with Bethesda After Dark to finish fifth in the Grade I division. Stefanie Putnam and Bethesda After Dark (©Marie de Ronde-Oudemans) Putnam (Lafeyette, Calif.) executed a solid test with her own Bethesda After Dark...

Mark Jungherr Claims $30,000 Manchester & The Mountains Grand Prix at Vermont Summer Festival

by Jump Media | Aug 6, 2016, 9:27 PM

Mark Jungherr and Conte Couleur won the $30,000 Manchester & The Mountains Grand Prix on August 6 at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (Andrew Ryback Photography) East Dorset, Vt. – Mark Jungherr of Amesbury, MA, riding Conte Couleur was victorious in the $30,000 Manchester & The Mountains Grand Prix on Saturday, August 6, during week five of the Vermont Summer Festival. The Vermont Summer Festival runs for six consecutive weeks from July 5 through August 14, 2016,...

U.S. Olympic Eventing Team Seventh after First Day of Dressage at Rio Olympic Games

by Classic Communications/USEF Communications Department | Aug 6, 2016, 7:59 PM

Boyd Martin and Blackfoot Mystery (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - After day one of eventing competition at the Olympic Equestrian Center at Deodoro, the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team sits in seventh place. Boyd Martin and Clark Montgomery put in solid performances among the 32 combinations that competed Saturday in day one of dressage before the ground jury of Marilyn Payne (USA), Andrew Bennie (NZL), Sandy Phillips (GBR). The trailblazer for the U.S. team was Martin...

USEF Statement Regarding Injury to Vaulter Kristian Roberts

by USEF Communications Department | Aug 6, 2016, 6:28 PM

Lexington, Ky. – Saturday morning, U.S. vaulter Kristian Roberts sustained a broken leg during a training session in Germany. His horse was unharmed. Roberts underwent successful surgery at a local hospital and is resting comfortably. There is not an immediate timeline for his return to competition, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

Graburn Leads U.S. Contingent at 2016 FEI World Driving Championships for Singles after Marathon Phase

by Kathleen Landwehr | Aug 6, 2016, 5:38 PM

Piber Köflach, Austria – Torrential rains on Friday afternoon made for slick spots and deep footing in the marathon obstacles on Saturday at the 2016 FEI World Driving Championships for Singles, proving difficult for the U.S. combinations. Sterling Graburn is the top American in the overall standings in 51st place, while Donna Crookston was the top U.S. finisher in the marathon phase in 51st place in the field of 74 combinations. The U.S. Driving Team of Crookston, Graburn, and Suzy...

Exploding wine bottle, flooding hotel, horse inspection, surprise substitutions, etc.

by Will Connell | Aug 6, 2016, 1:35 PM

Exploding wine bottle, flooding hotel, horse inspection, surprise substitutions, interesting team running orders, lost & found luggage, and a Brazilian party in the Maracanã Stadium. Quite a couple of days. So where to start; perhaps with the job in hand. All the U.S. horses looked fit, well and beautifully turned out by the grooms and the horse inspection went without a hitch for the U.S. Running order declared (Boyd, Clark, Lauren & Philip) and the dressage horses having been...