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.

USEF Accepting Bids to Host 2015 and 2016 US Junior Hunter National Championships

by USEF Communications Department | Aug 1, 2014, 9:50 AM

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is now accepting bids to host the 2015 and 2016 US Junior Hunter National Championships. Anyone interested in requesting a bid packet does so with the understanding that the bid will be for the 2015 and 2016 competition years, to be hosted at the same location and under the same licensee/management. Please contact Lori Nelson, at (859) 225-6957 or via email at [email protected] for a copy of the bid packet. Bids will be due in the...

Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder Blaze to Victory in $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at Kentucky Summer Classic

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | Aug 1, 2014, 3:45 AM

Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Ireland's Shane Sweetnam is well known for helping produce top young mounts, and Thursday he showed how it is done with the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Bijzonder. When seven horses go double clear in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, the only way to win is with speed, and although Bijzonder is just learning to go fast, he clearly has a knack for it. Sweetnam sped across the finish line two seconds...

Julie Welles Brings Home the Blue in $10,000 Not Your Daughter’s Jeans Welcome Stake

by Laura Cardon for Starting Gate Communications, Inc. | Jul 31, 2014, 9:47 PM

Julie Welles and Twan won the $10,000 Not Your Daughter’s Jeans Welcome Stake (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, Vt. - Julie Welles of Wellington, FL, and Warren, VT, rode Twan to victory in the $10,000 Not Your Daughter’s Jeans Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 31, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. Welles and Twan were the first pair to tackle the course designed by 1976 Olympic individual silver medalist Michel...

Quentin Judge Wins First Big Class at CSIO Gijón

by CSIO Gijon Press Office | Jul 31, 2014, 8:07 PM

This article originally published at en.hipico.gijon.es/ Gijon, Spain - American rider Quentin Judge won the first big class in the 2014 CSIO Gijón with HH Copin van de Broy on Thursday. Without penalties, the chronometer stopped at 49,55 seconds for Judge. The Venezuelan Andrés Rodriguez finished second (51,67 seconds) with Darlon van Groenhove. Meanwhile, Georgina Bloomberg and Juvina got the third position 5,137 spectators were present to witness this first class in Las Mestas....

U.S. Off to a Determined Start at CDIO3* Hickstead

by USEF Communications Department | Jul 31, 2014, 2:40 PM

Hickstead, United Kingdom - The U.S. produced determined performances in Grand Prix competition on Thursday at CDIO3* Hickstead. Brian Hafner and Susie Dutta, who make up half of the American Nations Cup effort, currently stand second and ninth, respectively, after the first of two days of Grand Prix competition. Hafner (Penngrove, Calif.) and his own and Rebecca Hafner’s 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Lombardo LHF, scored 68.800% from the Ground Jury of Karin Kruger, Wojtek Markowski,...

William Funnell Can't Be Bettered for Bunn Leisure Trophy; Ward Finishes 2nd

by Victoria Spicer, Hickstead Press Officer | Jul 31, 2014, 2:28 PM

William Funnell and Billy Angelo (Samantha Lamb) Hickstead, England - Local rider William Funnell has won plenty at Hickstead over the years, and Thursday he added another title to his collection on day three of the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead (29 July – 3 August). Riding Billy Angelo, William took the feature class of the afternoon – the Bunn Leisure Trophy. Drawn exactly half way through the 50-strong class, William jumped an immaculate clear first round...

U.S. Teams Ready for Nations Cup Action in Hickstead and Gijon

by Helen Murray | Jul 31, 2014, 1:29 PM

Lexington, Ky. - The United States has high hopes of strong finishes in European CSIO5* Nations Cup competition this week, as they field teams in both Hickstead, England, and Gijon, Spain. In Friday’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain presented by Longines at CSIO5* Hickstead, the U.S. sends a veteran team into competition. McLain Ward, Reed Kessler, Margie Engle, and Beezie Madden look to showcase the form that earned them spots on the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Short List...

Rachel Boggus Tops the Card in the HJAM Adult Medal Final

by Horse Shows By The Bay | Jul 31, 2014, 1:07 PM

Traverse City, Mich. - When Rachel Boggus stepped into the Horse Shows by the Bay Grand Prix Ring for the first round of the HJAM Adult Medal Final on July 26, she was on a mission. Not only did she seek to do her best in the class, but she also wanted to push herself to escape her comfort zone. In the end, she accomplished both goals. Boggus, 32, of Indianapolis, Indiana, topped the three-phase final and also gained valuable experience toward her quest to win the Ariat Adult Medal Finals this...

Young Jumpers Take Center Stage at Kentucky Summer Classic

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | Jul 31, 2014, 11:54 AM

Chris Ewanouski and Cortina (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - All eyes were on the up-and-coming horses of the future in the Rolex Stadium today as they vied for winning honors in the 7 & 8-Year-Old Jumpers and the 6-Year-Old Jumpers. Chris Ewanouski captured the first blue ribbon with his 8-year-old mount Cortina, while amateur rider Joyce Green piloted Cassidy to the top prize in the 6-Year-Old Jumpers. Great Britain's Richard Jeffries designed the track for the 7...

2014 Capital Challenge Prize List Now Available Online

by Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. | Jul 31, 2014, 11:24 AM

Upper Marlboro, Md. - The Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS), presented by The Gochman Family, is pleased to announce that its 2014 prize list has been mailed out and the PDF is now available for download on the official horse show website www.capitalchallenge.org. In addition to the entry blank, also available for download are: the feed and bedding pre-order forms; stabling request forms; and the schedule of events. The Capital Challenge Horse Show will celebrate its 21st anniversary this...