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Here you can find our archive of stories from Equestrian Weekly, our once-a-week look at affiliate news, international competition, amateur profiles, horse care tips, and more. You’ll also find stories from the USEF Insider, a twice-monthly email newsletter packed with features about USEF people and programs, including our drugs and medications program, regulations, and competitions departments.

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Partnership Comes First for Tillie Jones and Coco as They Contest U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

by Raelyn Baker/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | August 25, 2026

An impromptu shopping trip for a student turned into Tillie Jones finding her now up-and-coming Grand Prix partner, Cilla Franchesca. “Coco,” as she’s known in the barn, came into Jones’ life when she least expected it, and the pair has blossomed into serious competitors and partners. Finding her way to the saddle at 7, Jones became enamored with the sport after her family surprised her with a horseback riding lesson. “They blindfolded me, took me out to a barn,

Where is My USEF Drugs and Medications Fee Going?

by Natalie Voss | August 24, 2026

If you’ve ever grumbled about the $15 USEF drugs and medications fee you pay at the time you enter a horse show, you may have wondered how much that fee adds up to for US Equestrian and how that money gets spent. Drugs and medications testing is part of USEF’s commitment to protecting our equine partners and creating a level playing field for all participants. Last year, we conducted testing on 623 competition days from our 2,100 licensed competitions and collected 11,546 samples.

What is the Breakdown of USEF Membership by Breed/Discipline?

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | August 24, 2026

US Equestrian recognizes 29 unique breeds and disciplines, and we often get questions about the breakdown of our membership across those. In response, we’ve pulled data from the last three years on our competing members. While many members participate in multiple breeds or disciplines, these numbers are based on what the members selected as their primary breed/discipline on their USEF Dashboard. So, while an individual might compete in both hunters and jumpers, if they selected hunter as

What’s the Role of the USEF Veterinary Committee?

by Kimberly Loushin | August 24, 2026

Each of US Equestrian’s 41 committees have vital roles in shaping the sport, and while some pertain to specific breeds and disciplines, others, like the Veterinary Committee, work to benefit the entire federation. The Veterinary Committee is currently comprised of 16 individuals, primarily veterinarians, though there are six riders and trainers serving. While the USOPC requires most national governing body (NGB) committees to be comprised of a certain percentage of athletes, the

The Thought Process Behind the Double Bridle Rule Change

by Kimberly Loushin | August 24, 2026

In June, the US Equestrian Board approved changes to DR121 Saddlery and Equipment, tracking 144.25, which removes the option to use double bridles at Third Level, beginning Dec. 1, 2026. (You can find all rule changes approved in June, including this one here .) It’s a change that’s garnered a lot of conversation, and you may be wondering how it came about. “This discussion has been in the committees for at least 15 years, so it’s not a knee-jerk reaction,” said

A Partnership Built on Trust: Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes

by Maddie Ozbun/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | August 22, 2026

Finding the perfect partnership in para dressage can be a daunting task, as both horse and athlete need to communicate and understand each other in ways that differ from able body riding. The best para dressage horses are intelligent, compassionate, and of course competitive in nature, but also genuine. For U.S. Paralympian Fiona Howard, she knew Diamond Dunes was special from the moment she sat on him for the first time. “Dunes,” as he’s affectionately known around the barn,

The History of Driving at CHIO Aachen

by Maddie Ozbun/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | August 20, 2026

The story of combined driving at CHIO Aachen is closely tied to the history of the event itself, which has grown into one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. Today, four-in-hand driving stands alongside jumping, dressage, para dressage, eventing, and vaulting as one of the disciplines that makes up the 2026 FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany. ©CHIO Aachen The roots of driving at Aachen can be traced back to the early twentieth century. The organization behind the

A Partnership Forged in Their Biggest Milestones: Out Of The Blue SCF and Katie Dinan

by Kimberly Loushin | August 19, 2026

When Out of the Blue SCF walks into the arena, she always takes a moment to assess her surroundings before getting to work. It’s a very deliberate move, according to her rider, Katie Dinan . “It’s like, ‘OK, what are we doing today?’” said Dinan. “I really feel like she’s mentally engaged in what we’re doing and is excited about competing, and she really gets it. I think that’s what makes her so good — she really puts herself

Meet Fan Tastico H and Karin Flint: A Big Horse with a Golden, Puppy-Like Personality and his Dedicated Owner

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | August 18, 2026

Para dressage demands precision, focus, and an almost unnerving calm. Fan Tastico H, a 2017 Oldenburg gelding (Fürstanball OLD x Weltmeyer), delivers all of it. He once spent his afternoons chasing a ball with a 10-year-old in a barn aisle, now he’s a medal-winning para dressage horse. He doesn't see the contradiction, and neither does anyone who's ridden him. Marie Vonderheyden aboard Fan Tastico H (©Sue Stickle Photography) Known around the barn as "Fanta," he came

Meghan Laffin Reflects on Her Time Grooming for Kasey Perry-Glass

by Maddie Ozbun/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | August 14, 2026

For Meghan Laffin, a much-needed gap year in her career trajectory turned into a seven-year long adventure making lifelong memories. After completing her graduate degree, Laffin took a year to get back into horses. While scrolling through Facebook, an opportunity arose to groom for Olympian and U.S. Dressage stalwart Kasey Perry-Glass. Laffin took the job in 2019 and never looked back. “I thought, well, I’ll just go have one year experiencing the elite side of things, and then

Father and Daughter Duo Set to Take on the 2026 Vaulting FEI World Championships

by Maddie Ozbun/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | August 14, 2026

Todd and Gracie Griffiths are no strangers to the vaulting arena. Todd has deep roots in the sport, including representing the United States at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany. Twenty years later, he is set to return to Aachen for what will be his final international competition. This time, however, there is a special twist: his daughter, Gracie, will be his partner in their pas de deux freestyle. “Working with Gracie is almost subconscious,” Todd said.

More Than an Owner: Caroline Moran Found Family and Her Passion Through Eventing

by Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | August 13, 2026

For longtime owner Caroline Moran, ownership has become much more than having her name attached to a horse. It has grown into lifelong relationships and unforgettable memories. Olivia Dutton and Jewelent | ©Irish Eventing Times Moran is part owner of Phillip and Olivia Dutton’s top mounts, Possante , Denim , and Jewelent, as well as two promising young horses, United Mara and Darwin. Most recently, Jewelent, a 2012 Irish Sport Horse gelding (Valent x Roselier) ridden by Olivia and