Equestrian Weekly Articles

Charlie Brown is a loveable and deeply determined main character who first appeared in the newspaper during the 1950s in a comic strip titled, “Peanuts.” The 8-year-old boy became known for his endless adventures with friends Woodstock and Snoopy, and eventually inspired a television series, “The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show” and many tv specials. The name Charlie Brown is familiar to millions of Americans, but in the equestrian world, it belongs to a different kind of

We have all heard of Norwegian Fjords, with their distinctive dun coloring and two-tone mane, but few of us are as familiar with the Norwegian Dole Horse. Dole stallion Snippen; photo courtesy of The Norwegian Stables Also known as the Dole Gudbrandsdal or Dølahest, the Dole originated in the Gudbrandsdal region of Norway and are thought to be descendants of Friesians. They were used as workhorses doing agricultural work or hauling timber for hundreds of years, but as the need for such

Perhaps you’ve seen the ads on social media, or maybe your barn is planning a field trip, or you are local to Morven Park and are looking for an adventure. However you’ve heard about it, the US Equestrian Open Eventing Final has generated excitement among horse enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The US Equestrian Open Eventing Final will bring top athlete-and-horse combinations from not only across the country but around the world, to Morven Park in Leesburg, Va., for the ultimate

Dr. Brandy Snedden didn't set out to become a combined driving competitor. An ambulatory equine veterinarian running her own practice in Thornville, Ohio; a single mother; and a lifelong horse enthusiast, Snedden's path to the sport reads like a string of fortunate coincidences, each one leading naturally to the next. That path – as many good ones do – started with a pony. Brandy Snedden and Mischief Managed (©Photo courtesy of Brandy Snedden) A client of

Shortly after Jon Kreitz retired from the military seven years ago, US Equestrian announced we were accepting nominations for an independent director seat on the board of directors, and one of Kreitz’s neighbors suggested he should look into it. While Kreitz had previous experience serving on the board of other nonprofits and organizations, he’d never been involved with an equestrian one, so he started doing some research. As he read through the requirements and looked at the

With the summer officially behind us, it's time to embrace everything that makes fall special: crisp temperatures, vibrant foliage, pumpkin spice lattes, fall festivals, and of course, the highly anticipated US Equestrian Open Eventing Final . Taking place October 8-11, 2026, at Morven Park in Leesburg, Va., the championship brings together top-level sport and endless opportunities to enjoy one of the East Coast’s most charming fall destinations. 1. Celebrate Virginia Wine Month

There’s a common adage that you should get back on the horse if you fall, but US Equestrian recognizes that immediately remounting might not to be the safest course of action. As part of ongoing efforts to improve human and equine safety, the USEF board approved a change to GR848.1, which will go into effect December 1, 2026. The change stipulates that participants “who have fallen from a horse or horse-drawn vehicle at a competition, must be examined by the competition Qualified

Growing up in Ireland, Kevin Babington was immersed in horses from a young age. He was the youngest of 11 children, and while his siblings weren’t into horses, a school friend invited him to watch a riding lesson at age nine, and Babington was instantly hooked. The first equine he bought was a donkey named Fred ... but the future Olympian still managed to teach him how to jump! After graduating from donkeys to horses, Babington took his riding instructor exams with the British Horse

When the best ponies from across the U.S. travelled to the Kentucky Horse Park in August, there was a very special pony among them who had already beaten the odds. Photo courtsey of Leigha Schrader Just Do It (“Nike”) and his owner/rider Adelaide Thompson had their dreams come true when they qualified for the pony jumper division in the large pony category at the 2026 USEF Pony Finals presented by Marshall+Sterling. But Nike isn’t any ordinary pony. As a yearling in 2016, he

Most equestrians will experience an injury at some point in their lives. Nearly everyone remembers sitting in a doctor’s office, anxiously awaiting the verdict that determines how long they’ll be sidelined, and perhaps more painfully, how much time they’ll spend away from the horses they love. For some, an injury means pressing pause on a dream. For others, it forces a reevaluation of long-term goals. Sometimes, it's simply time away from a place that feels like home.

Kristen Petzold has always loved Arabians. Her first horse was an Arabian, and she credits that experience with introducing her to not only a remarkable breed, but a close-knit community that would shape her life. “I’ve been so lucky to have so many horses of a lifetime, and I think partly due to the fact they’re all Arabians,” she said. “The bond you feel with an Arabian is something I haven’t experienced with any other breed of horse. Once I discovered how

Nyssa Sheridan has been a part of Chili’s life since the very beginning. From deciding to breed her beloved mare, Dancing Gdynia, to watching the embryo that would become Chili develop through an ultrasound, Sheridan has been a part of her journey every step of the way. Long before Chili entered the show ring, Sheridan was there imagining what kind of horse she might become. Years later, the foal has grown into No Greater Honor+++/, a versatile Arabian mare preparing to compete on one of