Category Archives: USEF

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

US Equestrian Names US Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup CSIO5* Sopot

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has named the following athletes to the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO5* Sopot, June 8-11, in Sopot, Poland. CSIO5* Sopot will serve as the first of four stops on U.S. Show Jumping’s summer CSIO5* Nations Cup European tour. In addition, the U.S. will field teams for FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO5* Falsterbo, Sweden, July 13-16, FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO5* Aachen, Germany, July 18-23, and FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO5* Dublin, Ireland, August 9-13, to be announced at a later date.

Lauren Hough (Wellington, Fla.)

Reed Kessler (Lexington, Ky.)

Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.)

Chloe Reid (Washington, D.C.)

Paris Sellon (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Robert Ridland will serve as Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Team.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

US Equestrian Announces US Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup CSIO4* Langley

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has named the following athletes to the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* Langley, May 31 – June 4, in Langley, British Columbia. The Nations Cup competition will be held in conjunction with the Odlum Brown BC Open at Thunderbird Show Park. CSIO4* Langley serves as the last North America qualifying competition for Barcelona’s FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final in September. The U.S. sits in first place and leads Mexico by a very slim margin, followed by Canada, with the top two teams advancing to the Final.

The following athlete/horse combinations will compete for the U.S., listed alphabetically:

Heather Caristo-Williams (Saugerties, N.Y.)

Margie Engle (Wellington, Fla.)

Adrienne Sternlicht (Greenwich, Conn.)

Catherine Tyree (Chicago, Ill.)

Robert Ridland will serve as Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Team.

Watch the live stream of FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* Langley on FEI TV, Friday, June 2, at 4 p.m. ET.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Championships, Dressage, USEF, USEF

Perry-Glass, Lyle, and Blythe Win Big at US Dressage Festival of Champions

Leave a comment

Kasey-Perry Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet. (SusanJStickle.com)

Gladstone, N.J. – The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions came to its conclusion on Sunday with three national champions being crowned. All competitors in the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship, and USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today performed their freestyle tests in order to earn the remainder of their overall championship score. Kasey Perry-Glass, Adrienne Lyle, and Kaitlin Blythe were crowned national champions.

Quality work was displayed by the combinations throughout The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. “It was fun because it was up and down a little bit from one class to the next so I really didn’t know who was in the lead coming into today. I think clearly everybody made their best effort today,” commented Gary Rockwell, President of the Ground Jury. “We had some really good rides today. We need depth in this country. We can see some good young horses and young riders coming up, so that is our future; we need to support and encourage them and give them a chance.”

USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

A talented field of seven combinations competed for top honors in the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship with 45%, 40%, and 15% of their overall championship score coming from the Thursday’s FEI Grand Prix Test, Friday’s FEI Grand Prix Special, and Sunday’s FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, respectively.

Perry-Glass (Orangevale, Calif.) and Goerklintgaards Dublet added a USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship title to their resume by winning with an overall score of 71.575%. They put in a lovely test to win the FEI Grand Prix Test with a score of 73.700%, and had a few bobbles in the trot work of the FEI Grand Prix Special to finish fifth with a score of 68.529%. The duo did not have a completely clean performance in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle but high degree of difficulty movements and a great artistic flow allowed them to finish second in the class with a score of 73.325%.

Watch Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet’s freestyle

“The whole entire show was really not our best show, but you kind of need those, especially since it is our second year at Grand Prix; our first year was kind of a whirlwind. We have been picking on the small stuff and sometimes it all gets little bit dysfunctional when you are picking on the small stuff,” Perry-Glass explained. “I am proud of us for fighting through it and keeping our heads up and going. Having the support of [Adrienne Lyle and Olivia LaGoy-Weltz] and my other teammates has been great, and it is fun to compete here. I feel pretty lucky.”

Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Salvino received the Reserve Champion title after finishing on an overall score of 71.344%. They had a flowing performance in the FEI Grand Prix Test to finish second with a score of 70.600%, and were second again in the FEI Grand Prix Special, despite bobbles in the first piaffe and the one tempi changes, with a score of 70.314%. Lyle and the Salvino Partners, LLC’s 2007 Hanoverian stallion finished the championship on a high note by winning the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 76.325%. Lyle used the music from her freestyle with Wizard, her longtime partner and 2012 Olympic Games mount, and changed the timing to match Salvino’s movement.

“I had a blast in my test today. We have never done the freestyle, so we pulled it together quickly. It was Wizard’s freestyle and we edited it time-wise to match his big stride. Terry Gallo did a great job with me calling last minute,” Lyle said. “I was thrilled with how Salvino handled it. I wasn’t sure what he was going to be like with the music and the crowd, there was a lot of stuff happening. I couldn’t be happier with what he gave me.”

Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (Haymarket, Va.) and Lonoir finished third in the championship with an overall score of 70.927%. They performed a smooth test to finish third in the FEI Grand Prix Test with a score of 70.400% and won the FEI Grand Prix Special with a score of 70.686%. LaGoy-Weltz and her own 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding gave another solid effort in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, highlighted by passage half-passes and quarter turns in the piaffe, to finish third with a score of 73.150%.

USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

Sixteen combinations rode for the title in the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship with 40%, 45%, and 15% of their overall championship score coming from the Thursday’s FEI Prix St. Georges Test, Saturday’s FEI Intermediate I Test, and Sunday’s FEI Intermediate I Freestyle, respectively.

Lyle and Horizon performed well and showed much promise for the future on their way to winning the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship with a score of 70.967%. They had an unfortunate bobble in their changes in the FEI Prix St. Georges Test but recovered well to finish in fifth place with a score of 69.763%. The duo had a fantastic performance in the FEI Intermediate I Test to win with a score of 70.526%. Lyle rode Betsy Juliano’s 2007 Oldenburg mare to flashy music, including “It’s Raining Men.” They wowed the judges with difficult movements, such as canter pirouettes into tempi changes, to win the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle with a score of 75.500%.

Watch Lyle and Horizon’s freestyle

“That mare is so fun in the ring. She loves to get out there and perform. When she is on, you just have to sit there and pilot her through it,” Lyle said. “I borrowed that music from Katherine Bateson-Chandler, so thank you to everyone who helped me get to the championships.”

Jane Cleveland (Wellington, Fla.) and Monique earned the Reserve Champion title with a score of 70.768%. They painted a lovely picture, aside from one bobble in the change after the medium canter, to win the FEI Prix St. Georges Test with a score of 70.789%, then had a solid test to finish fourth in the FEI Intermediate I Test with a score of 69.947%. Cleveland and her own 2009 Danish Warmblood mare had an impressive freestyle performance with upbeat music coming from Cleveland’s barre class, finishing second in the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle with a score of 73.175%.

“[My ride] was so much fun. We did better today than before. She was better today than she has been all week,” Cleveland said. Elaborating on what it is like to ride at the USET Foundation headquarters, Cleveland said, “It is special for a few reasons. The barns are exquisite and they have so much history. There is a plaque of famous horses on each stall…I had the opportunity to ride here five years ago, and I learned that if you get the opportunity to ride here, you get here.”

Lyle also finished third in the championship with Harmony’s Duval on a score of 70.466%. She finished second with Harmony’s Duval in the FEI Prix St. Georges Test with a score of 70.605% and finished in third in the FEI Intermediate I Test with a score of 70.132%. Lyle and Duval Partners LLC’s 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding performed their freestyle to dramatic music that complemented the gelding’s movement to place fourth with a score of 71.100%.

USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today

A field comprised of seven rising stars competed for the title in the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today with 40%, 45%, and 15% of their overall championship score coming from the Thursday’s FEI Intermediate II Test, Friday’s FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test, and Sunday’s FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Freestyle, respectively.

Kaitlin Blythe (Rougemont, N.C.) and Don Principe won the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today with an overall score of 66.769%. They performed a fluid test, aside from an error of course, to finish second in the FEI Intermediate II Test with a score of 66.684%. Blythe and Maryanna Haymon’s 1999 Hanoverian stallion displayed quality movements in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test to finish second with a score of 66.000%. The duo had great canter work in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Freestyle to win with a score of 69.300%.

Watch Blythe and Don Principe’s freestyle

“I’m thrilled with my horse. He loves the freestyle. It is his favorite thing; he just lights up in the arena. I cannot believe this is real life, actually; it is so surreal. I’m so thankful for everyone who helped me get here,” Blythe said.

Natalie Pai (Wellington, Fla.) and Unlimited were the Reserve Champions, ending on an overall score of 66.444%. They had a few moments of tension in the FEI Intermediate Test to finish third with a score of 66.447% but an improved performance in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test to win the class with a score of 66.605%. Pai and Peacock Ridge, LLC’s 2001 KWPN gelding showcased clean changes and half turns in the piaffe in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Freestyle to place third with a score of 65.950%.

“He was awesome today. He really likes the freestyle; he gets way more active and energetic. I was really happy with a completely clean test,” Pai explained. “This whole weekend I can’t believe I was able to really step it up and make every single set of changes clean. He was so good this weekend and today really tried his best.”

Molly Paris (Charlotte, N.C.) and Countess finished third in the championship with an overall score of 65.992%. They had a great performance to win the FEI Intermediate II Test with a score of 67.079% and put forth a solid effort in the FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test to place third with a score of 64.698%. Paris and her own 2002 Danish Warmblood mare performed their FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Freestyle with a high degree of difficulty which included passage half-passes and extended canter to canter pirouettes. However, they had some miscommunications, but finished second with a score of 66.975%.

By Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department

Dressage, FEI, USEF

US Dressage Team Named for FEI Nations Cup CDIO5* Compiègne

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has named the following athlete-and-horse combinations to The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for FEI Nations Cup™ CDIO5* Compiègne, May 18-21, in Compiègne, France:

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) with Patricia Stempel’s Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding

Jennifer Hoffmann (San Diego, Calif.) with her own and Jurgen Hoffmann’s XXXL Rubinio NRW, a 2003 Westphalian gelding

Tuny Page (Wellington, Fla.) with her own Woodstock, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, Calif.) with her own, Jennifer Mason, and David Wightman’s Breanna, a 2000 Hanoverian mare

Direct Reserve Horses

Doktor, Patricia Stempel’s 2003 Oldenburg gelding will serve as Francis’s direct reserve horse.

Dr. House 2, her own Oldenburg gelding, will serve as Page’s direct reserve horse.

Charlotte Bredahl-Baker will serve as Chef d’Equipe.

Find out more about CDIO5* Compiègne.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Hermès US Show Jumping Team Named for FEI Nations Cup CSIO4* Coapexpan

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has named the following athletes to the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* Coapexpan, May 4-7, in Xalapa, Mexico:

Quentin Judge (Wellington, Fla.)

Peter Lutz (Goldens Bridge, N.Y.)

Alison Robitaille (Upperville, Va.)

Adrienne Sternlicht (Greenwich, Conn.)

Robert Ridland will serve as Chef d’Equipe.

Watch the live stream of FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4* Coapexpan on FEI TV, Friday, May 5, at 1:30 p.m. ET.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping, USEF

US Equestrian Eventing Show Jumping Course Advisor Program Revamped for 2017

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky. – After 12 years, the Eventing Sport Committee approved a next phase for the US Equestrian Eventing Show Jumping Course Advisor Program. In 2017, Richard Jeffery will review show jumping courses for all FEI eventing competitions in the U.S. following the event. Course designers will be asked to submit their courses as posted at the competition to Jeffery with all technical details (distance, time allowed, etc.) within five days of the completion of the competition. Each course, along with the technical details provided by the course designer, will be posted on the US Equestrian website with Jeffery’s critique. This will allow course designers to review other courses and consider Jeffery’s input when designing their own courses.

“I am hoping that we can have a more level standard of designs across the country at the FEI level, plus those designing just national divisions can have an idea of the type of courses that are being used at the FEI levels,” Jeffery said. “In addition, with my comments posted on those courses, I hope they can further their education in course design and gain valuable experience from other course designers.”

The US Equestrian Eventing Show Jumping Course Advisor Program was introduced in 2004 to raise the standard of eventing show jumping course design in the United States. Initially, the program focused on show jumping courses for FEI and Advanced level competitions. Since its inception, the program has expanded to include review of courses for Preliminary and Intermediate Horse Trials. The program has been effective in improving the consistency of eventing show jumping courses through the review and critique of courses from a majority of designers at the Preliminary level and above.

The ultimate goal of the new program is to establish and maintain a consistent standard in the show jumping phase for events across the country. In the inaugural year, anyone interested in course design may also utilize this educational resource.

For more information, please contact Shealagh Costello, Director of Eventing National Programs, at scostello@usef.org or (859) 225-6923.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Eventing/H.T., Kentucky Three-Day, USEF

What Is the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event?

Leave a comment

Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 tackled the cross-country course in last year’s Rolex Kentucky (Adam Brennan – www.picturesbyab.com)

Have you always wondered what people mean when they say, “Are you going to Rolex?” They are talking about the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover, known as the “Best Weekend All Year” and one of the most prestigious equestrian competitions in the world. The Fédération Equestre Internationale has designated the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., as a “four-star” eventing competition, the sport’s highest designation, which is given only to the Olympic Games, World Championships, and six annual events around the world. The 2017 edition will also crown the 20th Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champion.

The Basics: Eventing is the equestrian equivalent to a human triathlon, consisting of dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event is usually contested over three days, hence the other popular term for the discipline – three-day eventing. By performing each of these phases, horses that compete in eventing show their balance, stamina, and precision. To learn more about eventing, visit USequestrian.org.

Schedule: The 2017 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Presented by Land Rover will be held April 27-30. It has become such a star-studded event that competition now covers four days to accommodate a large number of participants. Dressage begins on Thursday and concludes on Friday. The cross-country phase is held Saturday and the competition concludes on Sunday with show jumping. A 2017 provisional schedule can be found at rk3de.org.

What to Do: The event also offers a variety of spectator activities, including the ever-popular Land Rover Test Drive, which was featured in the Spring 2016 edition of US Equestrian Magazine. The Sponsor Village and International Trade Fair offer designer and sport clothing and accessories, arts and crafts, jewelry, gift items, souvenirs, and more. The Rolex Kentucky visitor’s guide provides tips for how to get the most out of your experience.

Where to Watch: If you are not able to attend the 2017 Rolex Kentucky, the only place to catch all four days of the action-packed competition is the USEF Network live stream. Wall-to-wall coverage of each phase can be seen on computers, tablets, phones, and smart TV devices. New this year is Champions Live!, a Sunday morning talk show from approximately 9:30-11 a.m., featuring a U.S. equestrian champion from each Olympic equestrian sport (dressage, eventing, and jumping). As always, the broadcast will include multiple camera angles, live athlete interviews, and analysis from professional sports commentator John Kyle with varying guest hosts.

© 2017 US Equestrian Federation

Dressage, FEI, USEF

Graves, Perry-Glass, and Peters Are Strong Contenders for 2017 FEI World Cup Dressage Final

Leave a comment

Laura Graves & Verdades (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Omaha, Neb. – Three strong dressage combinations will represent the U.S. in the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, Neb. Running from March 30 – April 1, 2017, Laura Graves & Verdades, Kasey Perry-Glass & Goerklintgaards Dublet, and Steffen Peters & Rosamunde are in excellent form heading into the Final.

Graves (Geneva, Fla.) has found much success since her last Final appearance in 2015, where she finished fourth with her own Verdades. She and the 2002 KWPN gelding won team gold and individual silver at the 2015 Pan American Games, following that up with team bronze and individual fourth-place finishes at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in their Olympic debut last summer. This year, Graves and “Diddy” have won at every turn at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) and earned numerous scores above 80%.

Perry-Glass (Orangevale, Calif.) will make her Final debut with Diane Perry’s Goerklintgaards Dublet, and the pair is a serious combination. She and the 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding impressed in their Olympic debut last year, helping to bring home a team bronze medal. They have continued to shine since their time in Rio, most recently winning the Grand Prix CDI-W and Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W and earning a score of 80.805% in the Freestyle during week eight of the AGDF.

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) will make his fifth Final appearance in Omaha with Four Winds Farm’s talented 2007 Rheinlander mare, Rosamunde. He and “Rosie” have continued to develop their partnership since they began competing together in 2014. They garnered top placings throughout 2016, including wins in the Grand Prix CDI3* and Grand Prix Special CDI3* at CHIO Rotterdam. The pair began 2017 by winning the Grand Prix Special CDI3* and Grand Prix Freestyle CDI3*at the Las Vegas High Roller CDI & Open Show, and head into the Final having finished second in the Grand Prix CDI-W and third in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W during week seven of the AGDF.

Kasey Perry-Glass & Goerklintgaards Dublet (Shannon Brinkman Photo)

Competition for the Final begins Thursday with the FEI Grand Prix beginning at 2 p.m. CT. Saturday’s FEI Grand Prix Freestyle begins at 2 p.m. CT, with its results determining the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Champion. Watch the live stream on FEI TV.

View more information about the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final.

By Kathleen Landwehr, US Equestrian Communications Department

FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Combinations for 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final Omaha

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has announced the eight athlete/horse combinations that will represent the United States at the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, March 29 – April 2, 2017, at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, Neb.

The following athletes qualified during the 2016-2017 World Cup qualifying season in their respective leagues (listed in qualifying order):

Longines FEI World Cup™, North American East Coast Sub-League

Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) with Old Willow Farms, LLC’s Zeremonie, a 2007 Holsteiner mare

Audrey Coulter (San Francisco, Calif.) with Copernicus Stables, LLC’s Alex, a 2004 Westphalian gelding, and Capital Colnardo, a 2005 Holsteiner stallion

McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) with Double H Farm & Francois Mathy’s HH Azur, a 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare

Charlie Jacobs (Boston, Mass.) with CMJ Sporthorse LLC’s Cassinja S, a 2006 Zweibrücker mare, or Calanta, a 2007 Dutch Warmblood gelding

Todd Minikus (Loxahatchee, Fla.) with Jack Snyder and Two Swans Farm’s Babalou 41, a 2005 Oldenburg mare

Longines FEI World Cup™, North American West Coast Sub-League

Karl Cook (Woodside, Calif.) with Signe Ostby’s Tembla, a 2004 Zangersheide mare

Jenni McAllister (Sun Valley, Calif.) with LEGISequine.com’s LEGIS Touch the Sun, a 2006 Holsteiner gelding, or LEGIS Venice, a 2005 Holsteiner mare

Jamie Barge (Malibu, Calif.) with Kylie Co.’s Luebbo, a 2005 Oldenburg Springpferd gelding

View more information about the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final.

Dressage, FEI, USEF

US Equestrian Announces Combinations for 2017 FEI World Cup Dressage Final Omaha

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has announced the three athlete/horse combinations that will represent the United States at the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final, March 30 – April 1, 2017 at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, Neb.

The following combinations qualified during World Cup Qualifying Events in the North American League held throughout the 2016-2017 season:

Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) with her own Verdades, a 2002 KWPN gelding

Kasey Perry-Glass (Orangevale, Calif.) with Diane Perry’s Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding

Additionally, the FEI confirmed an extra starting place for:

Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) with Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde, a 2007 Rheinlander mare

View more information about the 2017 FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final.