Overall Grand Champion Samantha Sommers and Small Affair at the 2013 US Junior Hunter National Championships - West (Captured Moment Photography) Lexington, KY – The top junior hunter riders on the west coast met at Showpark Facility in Del Mar, CA, July 22-23 for the 2013 US Junior Hunter National Championships – West. The riders were separated into 15 & Under and 16-17 divisions, as well as Small Junior Hunter and Large Junior Hunter, and competed in three phases: Classic...

Catherine Tyree guided Sandor de la Pomme to victory in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 25, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT - Catherine Tyree and her newly acquired mount, Sandor de la Pomme, secured their first victory together in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 25, at...

At the 2013 United States Equestrian Federation Mid-Year Board Meeting held July 22 in Lexington, Kentucky, members of the Board of Directors approved two proposed rule changes that will become effective in 2013. Effective December 1, 2013 , the following rule has been approved: GR 414 Prohibited Practices 1. No injectable substances may be administered to any horse or pony within 12 hours prior to competing, with the following three exceptions subject to paragraph 2 below: a. Therapeutic...

Rick Fancher and Osczar were the subjects of a painting by Michael Tang in the year following their incredible success at CCHS. Upper Marlboro, MD - The 2013 Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS) is quickly approaching and there are many exciting highlights to look forward to as the competition celebrates its 20-year anniversary. The show runs September 28 through October 6 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The Capital Challenge Horse Show has a great variety of...

David Dorner and Clyde 9 rode to the $5,000 1.40m Jumper victory on the first day of Equifest I Wayne, IL - It could not have been a more perfect day at the Lamplight Equestrian Center as riders were welcomed to the first day of Equifest I. There was not a cloud in the sky as the courses were set for the opening day of jumper competition, as top contenders gathered at the Grand Prix Ring for a day of enticing show jumping. It was David Dorner who stole the spotlight in the arena Wednesday,...

Amanda Thomas and Bonfire swept the Pre-Green 3'3" Hunter division over fences for the first day of Equifest (Ashley N. Williams/Phelps Media Group) Wayne, IL - The Lamplight Equestrian Center grounds were immaculate as exhibitors gathered for Equifest I. Blue skies and a light breeze welcomed riders to the hunter ring as they took on the first day of courses. Of the competitors, Amanda Thomas rode four horses to the top of the rankings. Aboard Kapalua in the Performance 3'6" Hunter...

Tatiana Dzavik and Dahlia Lexington, KY - Perfect weather greeted riders as competition got underway during the Kentucky Summer Series at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Open Jumper riders gathered at the Rolex Stadium, where the first 1.40m Open Jumper class focused on speed and Tatiana Dzavik had the winning key with Dahlia. She topped Shane Sweetnam and Fineman by just 3/10ths of a second to claim the blue ribbon. The final event of the day was the 1.40m Open Jumper Table 2 Section 2b jump-off...

Team Weber on the marathon couse at Beekbergen. (Rinaldo de Craen) Ocala, FL - With his signature flourish in the dressage phase at the Beekbergen CAI-A4, July 18-21, in The Netherlands, nine-time U.S. national driving champion Chester Weber set an early lead (32.97) with an Ultra-good performance. As in Koos de Ronde's Ultra, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding that Team Weber has had their eye on for the last two years but, like any top professional athlete, it was a matter of waiting until Ultra...

This rule change introduces a new category of rules called Prohibited Practices to the USEF Rule Book. It will take effect December 1, 2013: 1. No injectable substances may be administered to any horse or pony within 12 hours prior to competing, with the following three exceptions subject to paragraph 2 below: a. Therapeutic fluids, which amount must consist of a minimum of 10L of polyionic fluids; and which must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and guidelines....

This rule change becomes effective on August 1, 2013, and concerns the actions taken should a horse or pony collapse at a USEF Licensed Competition. This rule change proposal has been commonly referred to as the “Collapse Rule” and is the first to be presented in the formation of an Over-Arching Catastrophic Incident Protocol. GR 843 Mandatory Reporting & Cooperation of Horse/Pony Collapse This rule applies to collapses of horses/ponies. For purposes of this rule, a "collapse"...