Equestrian Weekly Articles

The opportunity to spend any part of your life with horses is a gift. To have the chance to experience the feeling of “flying,” as I have heard so many people describe the connection with a horse, is highly addictive and borderline spiritual. This shared experience makes you a part of a passionate and resilient community. And yes, while we love to fly, almost all of us are certain at some point to fall. It can happen at the walk, when a horse trips or spooks, getting on at a

It’s been a rollercoaster year for weather in the United States, with record-breaking heatwaves, dirt-cracking drought, and flooding rainfalls. That pattern hasn’t only been a trial for the average citizen and livestock owners—it’s also setting the stage for a potentially larger and longer season for West Nile virus, experts say. There are some things you can do to reduce the risk to your horses, including eliminating any standing, stagnant water sources where the

Suzy Stafford is a world champion driver and full-time trainer and coach, competing in both pleasure showing and combined driving since 2001. She has served as the Singles Coach for the Land Rover US Driving Team and currently runs Stafford Carriage Driving in Franklinville, NJ. and Ocala, Fla. “I have been on the US equestrian team as an individual and as a team member since 2015,” Stafford said. “I've been in the sport for quite some time as a professional and travel the

When most people think of Western riding , they picture ranch riding; however, upon a closer look, this discipline is a lot more versatile than one may think. The Western discipline offers diverse opportunities that cater to a variety of breeds and riding styles. Arkansas equestrian Carol Jones, for example, has been riding and training in the Western discipline for over 30 years, and she is experienced in color breeds, stock horses, and quarter horses. “With the Western discipline in

The International Friesian Show Horse Association and the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association have been collaborating for several years, and the two associations have begun hosting shows together. IALHA and IFSHA’s biggest collaborative effort yet will occur later this month. The IFSHA Grand National Show at the Tryon Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C., from September 27-October 1, will host an IALHA Region 7 Championship. Later this fall, the IALHA will

Florence Wetzel (right). Photo: Courtesy of Neue Schule Does it matter what metal you put in your horse’s mouth? Florence Wetzel says it definitely does. Neue Schule’s expert bit and bridle-fitter is an equestrian herself and joined the company after her own horse’s positive response to a Neue Schule bit made her a believer in their innovative approach to bits and their design. One aspect that sets Neue Schule bits apart is the Salox Gold mouthpiece, which Neue Schule says is

The grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park are home to many museums tracking the history and accomplishments of horses. Whether they are tailored to a specific breed or offer a look at a general history between humans and horses, the museums are suited for everyone, regardless of their knowledge of horses. USEF Lobby Museum For those uninitiated with equestrian breeds and disciplines, the lobby of the U.S. Equestrian Federation headquarters contains displays aimed at educating new visitors. Photo:

Hunter, jumping, and hunter/jumping seat equitation are all recognized under one US Equestrian national affiliate: the United States Hunter Jumper Association . Despite the technical differences in judging, these disciplines are often taught together. “They're all so different, but then they're all the same. We're all just trying to get the best out of each horse,” said Melissa Murphy, a hunter judge and trainer from Clara Propp and Arabesque competing at the 2023

Athletes and coaches who have been to the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) often point to the exposure to international team competition as one of the primary benefits of the experience. With limited opportunities for equestrian athletes in the western hemisphere to compete on a team before reaching the senior levels of the sport, NAYC serves as an important steppingstone for young athletes with international aspirations. ©KTB Creative Group Sarah Tubman is a dressage athlete

Seventeen-year-old Josie Drummond of Wellington, Fla., and AM Rising Star are regular competitors on the Arabian horse show circuit, and they were looking for a new competitive challenge. Drummond and her trainers Lori Cooper and Gina Pengue decided to aim “Gus” for the 2023 USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms. In their first appearance at the event, Drummond and Gus took the experience in stride and earned solid results. Josie Drummond and AM Rising Star, Lori

Adam Edgar competing on Happy Feet at the 2016 Pony Finals (Shawn McMillen Photography) Numerous youth athletes have competed at the USEF Pony Finals over the years, and many of them have gone on to achieve an impressive list of accomplishments as senior athletes competing at the national and international levels. Georgina Bloomberg, Greg Best, Lillie Keenan, Reed Kessler, Alison Robitaille, and Jessica Springsteen are a few individuals who have represented the U.S. at FEI Jumping World

In addition to overall awards given out at the USEF Pony Finals presented by Honor Hill Farms, the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America (WPCSA) gives out High Score awards to Welsh ponies competing at the show. The awards are organized by Dr. Ruth Wilburn, president of the WPCSA. Wilburn, who has been breeding ponies for 40 years at her Rollingwoods Farm, explained that the awards are meant to show the importance of Welsh ponies in the hunter pony world. Wilburn coordinates the awards with