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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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Meet Our Board Members: Lisa Gorretta Is Ready to Pitch in for the Sport She Loves

by Natalie Voss | May 18, 2026

Lisa Gorretta often quips that she’s always had a difficult time with the word ‘no.’ Instead, when she’s been asked to step into new roles in equestrian sport through the years, she tends to utter a different two-letter word: ‘OK.’ “I was raised with the concept that if you were unhappy with something that’s important to you, then you should work to improve it from the inside instead of complain about it from the outside,” she said. That

Meet USEF Interscholastic Student Athlete: Hannah Kim

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | May 11, 2026

Before sitting down for her interview with US Equestrian, 17-year-old Hannah Kim had just finished an AP exam. A day full of balancing academic rigor with a passion for the barn is pretty much Hannah's normal. Hannah, a saddle seat rider based in Tampa, Florida, is this month's USEF Interscholastic Athlete of the Month , and it's easy to see why. She's the definition of a student athlete: sharp, thoughtful, and deeply committed to both her studies and her sport. From Summer

USEF's Human and Equine Safety and Welfare Committee Focuses on Feedback-Driven Initiatives

by Kimberly Loushin | May 11, 2026

As the US Equestrian Human and Equine Safety and Welfare Committee sat down in person this spring to evaluate their priorities for the next two years, they knew they wanted to focus their efforts on having a meaningful impact. They’ve created a priority list based on group discussions and member inquiries, and as it continues its work, the Committee wants to involve membership and other stakeholders to gather feedback to guide their priorities. “The committee wants to involve

What’s Happening With That Rule? Updated Return To Sport Requirements

by Kimberly Loushin | May 11, 2026

One of the General Rule change proposals that’s been in our system for quite a while is Tracking 065-24, which pertains to Concussions, Injuries, and Return to Sport. This rule change proposal was first introduced in 2024 and has generated a lot of robust discussion. It is in its fourth draft as proponents amended the proposal in response to comments from USEF Committees and Recognized Affiliates. The current draft would require participants who have fallen at a competition to be

Taking a Closer Look at: Altrenogest

by Kimberly Loushin | May 11, 2026

Altrenogest, which is commercially sold as Regu-Mate, is an FDA-approved synthetic progesterone used to suppress estrus and seasonal behaviors in competing horses and aid in breeding practices with broodmares. Altrenogest, or any other progestogen, is also prohibited for use in stallions and geldings while competing in USEF-licensed competitions because it has no legitimate therapeutic use in male horses and has been historically used as a calming agent. The prohibition of altenogest, or any

The Last Gift: Linda Bird Found Healing with a Personable Draft Cross Named Mocha

by Kimberly Loushin | May 11, 2026

For nearly a year, Linda Bird and her husband Lonnie searched for her next horse before they came across one she described as the almost-perfect horse. Young and handsome, the dark bay had basic under saddle training, but he was way above budget. Though he reacted dramatically to the simplest things, Bird clicked with the draft- cross gelding immediately during the trial ride. Linda Bird with Mocha. Photo courtesy of Linda Bird Despite the monetary disparity, Lonnie insisted they buy him

“Mindy Is Like a Second Mom to Me”

by Debbie Elliot | May 4, 2026

Horses N Heroes in Citra, Fla., has become a safe haven for countless girls from families with extreme financial constraints, and for many of them, founder Mindy Morrow became a surrogate mother. Angel Antonaccio jumping Cirque du Soleil while at Horses N Heroes; photo courtesy of Horses N Heroes “The majority of the kids in my program live either at or below the poverty level,” Morrow explained. “I have kids who have come through the foster care system. I had one who came to

Taking A Closer Look At: Methocarbamol

by Natalie Voss | April 27, 2026

Please note: USEF issued revised guidance for the use of methocarbamol in July 2026. Please find details here . Methocarbamol, frequently known by its trade name of Robaxin, is a widely used therapeutic medication in horses. It’s also one of the medications we have recently seen the most overages for. Most people think of methocarbamol as a muscle relaxant that’s used to manage horses who tie up after exercise, or who are struggling with muscle spasms or muscle pain related to an

Meet Our Board Members: Diane Pitts

by Kimberly Loushin | April 26, 2026

For Diane Pitts, her entrance to the horse world and eventually equestrian governance was the result of a request from her youngest son, who came home one day and said he wanted to start riding. She signed him up for a camp, not knowing it would become a lifetime passion for him, or that the horse world would become a mainstay in her life. Prior to that, Pitts, who grew up in a globe-trotting Army family, had limited horse exposure, largely through a few leisurely trail rides, though some of

How Does Someone Join the US Equestrian Board of Directors?

by Natalie Voss | April 26, 2026

We know members are curious about the decisionmakers who lead the US Equestrian Federation. Some of you may be wondering how board members are elected and who each one represents. The USEF bylaws outline the makeup of the Federation’s board. The board is comprised of 21 individuals, with seats divided between various groups to give representation to a range of stakeholders. As the governing body of Olympic and Paralympic sports, USEF also must adhere to the federal law, which mandates

Finding Her Stride: Meg Pellegrini’s Road to Kentucky and Involvement in the USEF Eventing Pathway Programs

by Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | April 22, 2026

Meg Pellegrini has emerged as one of eventing’s rising talents, building a reputation of consistent results over the past several years. Her momentum was further validated earlier this year when she was named to the 2026 USEF Eventing Development 25 Program. Pellegrini now plans to compete in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S, a US Equestrian Open Eventing qualifier. ©US Equestrian Raised in Oklahoma, Pellegrini was the first in her family to develop an interest in horses. “No one

Six Things to Experience at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by MARS Equestrian™

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | April 21, 2026

The 2026 Defender Kentucky Three-Day presented by MARS Equestrian™ is days away with the first draw of horses set to head down the center line on Thursday, April 23 rd . An elite field of world-class horse and athlete combinations will compete across three phases including dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. The best weekend all year is not only comprised of exciting competition but also unlimited shopping, delicious food, and so much more! Defender Defender, the title sponsor of