Equestrian Weekly Articles

Mustangs are most commonly thought of as Western horses, but the wild breed that is a staple of American culture is incredibly adaptable to any challenges put in front of them. The 2025 Mustang Classic proved that as Mustangs from around the U.S. gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. from Sept. 4-6 to compete in three different disciplines: training level dressage, show jumping, and working equitation. Every competitor completed each preliminary phase, then the top performing

Located off the coast of Virginia and Maryland, Assateague Island is home to herds of feral ponies that have roamed free for generations, evolving to thrive on the protected barrier island. These ponies and the community that supports them were made famous by the 1947 children’s novel Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry. The annual pony swim, where the ponies are herded across the channel from Assateague to Chincoteague and the weanlings are sold to homes to be trained as riding

Every season brings new challenges (and joys!) for horse owners. The transition from summer to fall is the perfect time for a barn and tack trunk makeover to ensure you have everything you need to keep your horse healthy and happy. The major areas to consider when refreshing your equestrian set up are stall safety, comfort, nutrition, climate control and health management, said Dr. Courtnee Morton, Chewy Equine Veterinarian. Photo by Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Stall Safety While the structure

On September 27, 2024, wind and flooding from Hurricane Helene devastated the western Appalachian area of North Carolina, including the town of Asheville, which is home to Biltmore, a majestic house and historic property dating back to 1895. Several rivers in the region overflowed and the subsequent destruction led Helene to become the costliest natural disaster in North Carolina history. The 8,000-acre Biltmore estate hosts two endurance rides each year: a spring ride in May and a fall ride in

In the human and animal health realms alike, the dietary supplement industry is bigger than ever. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office report showed the human market grew from approximately 4,000 products in 1994 to as many as 90,000 in 2017, and the horse supplement world has seen a similar explosion. It can feel easy to solve a problem (or mitigate well-intentioned anxiety about a health issue) by reaching for a supplement. Many people assume that a supplement can’t possibly

US Equestrian sends our condolences to those who knew and loved Linda Andrisani, who passed away last week. Linda was a longtime horse show judge and a member of USEF’s Licensed Officials Committee. ©Tricia Booker/USHJA Linda started her hunter/jumper career as a child at a lesson barn in Maryland and later established Monkton Manor Farm in 1980 with Jack Stedding. The couple produced horses and riders for 25 years, including Sandy Ferrell, Jennifer Marshall, Streett Moore, Brooks

US Equestrian continued its slate of town hall events in the month of August with discussions at the USEF Pony Finals held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., and US Dressage Festival of Champions held at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Ill. ©Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian Each town hall event focused on the potential rule changes and areas of concern relevant to each discipline. In addition to USEF staff, the panel at Pony Finals included United States Hunter Jumper

If you’ve been checking the daily forecasted highs and letting out a sigh of frustration this summer, you’re not alone. Many of us are constantly on the lookout for the best ways to support our horses if we need to train or compete in warm weather. Shannon Brinkman Photo Oral electrolyte pastes and powders are a popular tool to help horses replenish minerals they may lose while exercising or due to certain medical conditions. Horses can produce several gallons of sweat in the

The village of Honeoye Falls in Monroe County, N.Y., has a population of less than 3,000 people. However, two of those people will be representing the U.S. in the FEI World Driving Championships in Europe this fall. Deb Marcuccilli is set to compete in the FEI Para Driving World Championships September 4-7 in Lähden, Germany. Meanwhile, Sarah Reitz will be driving in the 2025 FEI Driving World Championship for Combined Ponies from September 17-21 in Le Pin au Haras, France. Photo by Mb

With a barn name of ‘Maverick’, Hussmans Topgun (Totilas x Atterupgaards Demi) was destined to bring a little swagger to the dressage arena. The 2016 Danish Warmblood gelding may not be the first young horse Adrienne Lyle has brought up through the levels, but with his charm, talent, and just the right amount of attitude, he’s earning his call sign. ©Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian “On the ground he’s like a puppy dog,” said Lyle. “He’s

Samantha and Candy Crush at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (©Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian) For youth athlete Samantha MacDonald, there’s no question who the star of the barn is: her pony, Candy Crush. Known affectionately as “Crush” or “Crushy,” this pint-sized powerhouse has captured hearts with his mix of sweetness, spunk, and undeniable charisma. “He is just the best pony ever,” Samantha said with a laugh. “He is really

Leviathan and Allison Nemeth at the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (©Isabelle Whiteside/US Equestrian) For U25 athlete Allison Nemeth, the 2025 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions is the culmination of hard work and how it has paid off for her and her longtime partner, Leviathan, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding she’s raised and trained herself. Known as Levi in the barn, the gelding has been with Nemeth since he was just two years old. “We’ve grown up