by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 23, 2026
Double clears from Ilan Ferder (Ezarka del Belhame) and Daniel Bluman (Malina) boosted Israel to victory in the 3-star Nations Cup at the Traverse City, Mich., horse show on Thursday. It was Israel’s first Cup win in America.
Israel finished with a total of 4 penalties, to 16 for the Amasé U.S team with newer faces at this level, which had a bit of a rough start but wound up with three clears in the second round. Ireland was third on 24, saved by a double clear from U.S.-based Shane Sweetnam on Pegina VD Bisschop.
The winning Israeli team: Stella Wasserman, Ilan Ferder, Daniel Bluman, Steven Bluman. (Natalie Suto Photography)
The Israeli team was assembled at the last minute.
“When you group the Israeli riders together,” recounted Daniel, the anchor rider, “we’re going to fight with everything we’ve got.
“We ride for our flag, we ride for our country, we know how to ride together and give it our all. Ilan wasn’t even going to show this week. Last Saturday, I told him we lost a rider, we’re going with three, and we needed him to ride.
Daniel Bluman and Malina. (Natalie Suto Photography)
“He showed up and put in a double clear round. That just shows you the energy put forth for this team.”
“It’s always a pleasure to ride for my country,” Ilan said.
“It feels great to win,” added the horse dealer, noting about his double-clear, “there’s nothing better than that.”
The squad also included Daniel’s brother, Steven (Concare PS) and Stella Wasserman, who went from representing the U.S. on its Young Riders team a while back, to riding for Israel this year.
Her father is Casey Wasserman, chairman of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic organizing committee.
For her first Nations Cup, Stella, 21, was aboard Myla, formerly ridden by world number one Kent Farrington. She was fault-free in the first round and had a rail in the second.
Stella Wasserman and Myla. (Natalie Suto Photography)
“It’s an honor to ride with riders like these sitting next to me,” said Stella, who is mentored by U.S. Olympic medalist McLain Ward.
“It’s not like I’m going into the ring as one person with one horse, I have so many people standing behind me. Feeling that makes me want to put my best foot forward every time, and it’s just an honor.”
Israel’s chef d’equipe, Hans Horn, said of his squad’s performance, “It feels great and it was great the way they did it,”
“Five clear rounds and all rounds were good. I’m proud of the riders, especially Stella, who jumped for the first time for the team. I’m really happy. If you keep fighting for your teammates, you can make a difference.”
For the U.S. effort, chef d’equipe Anne Kursinski said, “I am so proud of our team and their phenomenal horses today.
“In the first round, they each had a slight error, which we discussed in between rounds, and before round two, I told all of them to go fight for it. It was so exciting to watch them make an impressive comeback, really demonstrating a “fight for it” mentality and jumping three clear rounds to finish second.”
Traverse City was the second Nations Cup in the U.S. this year. The first, a 4-star in Wellington during March, was won by a U.S. squad featuring Olympic medalists McLain and Karl Cook.
Click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 22, 2026
Great Britain is always a force to be reckoned with at title meets, but is particularly awesome with its teams in the Olympic disciplines, announced Wednesday for next month’s FEI World Championships at Aachen, Germany.
Was there even a question that reigning dressage world champion Lottie Fry (Glamourdale), reigning World Cup Champion Becky Moody and her homebred Jaegerbomb, as well as the architect of British dressage success, Carl Hester (Fame) would be the heart of the team. The identity of the fourth squad member was a cause for speculation, however, and in the end, Fiona Bigwood and her homebred, Donna Bella, got the nod.
It was close, with Olympic multi-medalist Charlotte Dujardin and a relatively new mount, Brave Heart, having to settle for inclusion as an alternate. Charlotte missed the Paris Olympics two years ago after her suspension for using a longe whip repeatedly on a student’s horse, leading to a scandal seized upon with fervor by the tabloids.
Charlotte did her pre-championships competition in Britain, while Fiona had an outing abroad in France to her credit. In terms of overall scores, Charlotte was only 0.26 percent ahead of Fiona, so it was the selectors’ call. Charlotte is on the list of alternates.
Britain’s Becky Moody and Jagerbomb on the way to their World Cup win.
Britain will be in the heart of the medals battle with Germany, which enjoys a home-side advantage, and powerful Denmark in the most predictable Olympic discipline. The U.S. doesn’t figure to be near the podium with a team missing its top horses, Jane (rehabbing from an injury) and Indian Rock (resting) and the rest of the squad lacking top-level credentials. But keep an eye out for Spain, which is improving.
Britain’s eventing team is led by three-time Badminton winner Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, who were stunning in their victory at that British 5-star last spring. The country’s power triumvirate also includes Laura Collett (London 52) and Tom McEwen with the reliable JL Dublin. That’s three quarters of the British gold medal team from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The others with the Union Jack on their saddlepads are Caroline Harris (D.Day) and Gemma Stevens (Flash Cooley). Reigning world champion Yasmin Ingham (Gypsie du Loir) and world number two Harry Meade (Cavalier Crystal) are among the reserves. Talk about depth!
With that lineup, the Brits will be hard to beat, but they will have to get by several other countries, includinga formidable U.S. team of 2026 Kentucky 5-star winner, Will Coleman (Diabolo); Phillip Dutton (Possante), Boyd Martin (Cooley Nutcracker), Caroline Martin Pamukcu (HSH Blake) and Tamie Smith (Lillet Three).
Can we expect to see the U.S. on the podium beside Britain, along with Germany (the irrepressible Michael Jung and Chipmunk FRH, as well as Julia Krajewski on Uelzener’s Nickel). And don’t forget New Zealand and its world number one Tim Price. Though remember, eventing is the least reliable sport to predict because anything can happen on cross-country.
Will Coleman and Diabolo.
The British strength also is displayed in impressive fashion for the show jumping, with two-time Olympic team gold medalists Scott Brash (Hello Mango) and Ben Maher–the 2021 Olympic individual gold medalist (Point Break), joined by another member of the 2024 Olympic gold medal team, Harry Charles (LT Holst Freda); Jack Whitaker of Britain’s most famous show jumping family (Jack JL) and Adrian Whiteway (Chacco Volo), who would be making his championships debut.
The Brits will have major competition from Germany, again with a home-side advantage and the formidable European Champion Richie Vogel, though Aachen grand prix winner DSP Chakaria was withdrawn last week. Even without world number one Kent Farrington, who declined a chance to go to the championships, the U.S. also could be in for a prize, with Olympic multi-medalists Laura Kraut (Bisquetta) and McLain Ward (High Star Hero) leading the way.
But then there are the Swiss and the French to consider for a spot. Brazil also loooks good. The European champion Belgians, meanwhile, lost their top combination when European individual bronze medalist Gilles Thomas’s Ermitage Kalone was sidelined recently with an injury.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 20, 2026
The Jersey Fresh International three-day event was staged for the last time in 2021, after the U.S. Equestrian Federation did not grant the Horse Park of New Jersey event its usual 3- and 4-Star Long and 4-Star Short designations for 2023-2027.
The Tryon, N.C., Spring International, one of only six events in the U.S. to be awarded a 4-star Long, got Jersey Fresh’s traditional mid-May weekend.
Despite the loss of the FEI event, horse trials are held regularly at the park, but last weekend, it got a big vote of confidence, as several members of the U.S. team for next month’s eventing world championships took their final run there before heading to Germany.
Rather than holding a mandatory outing in one location for all team members, the riders were allowed to choose where they wanted to go for their pre-championships prep.
“We feel it was best for the riders to prep their horses with what they felt would be the best run,” said US Eventing Chef d’Equipe Leslie Law.
“I think we’ve got a great team. We’ve got some really good, experienced riders there now, we’ve got good horses. I’m looking forward to it.”
The arena footing at the facility in Allentown, N.J., is not the artificial material that is found at the “name” facilities, and the stabling isn’t fancy. But a footing expert was hired for Jersey Fresh to show how to maintain the rings with the footing they have.
Carol Kozlowski, a former president of the U.S. Eventing Association, observed after the Horse Park was dissed five years ago, “these riders get so wrapped up in footing and then go to Europe and you’re competing on grass.”
So to that end, Chris Barnard designed a show jumping course on grass for the weekend event, because at the world championships, show jumping will be on the turf. The cross-country was laid out by Morgan Rowsell, with Levi Ryckewaert, and David Taylor on his team.
“I thought they did a good job at the Horse Park,” commented Phillip Dutton, who won the Advanced Intermediate with his championships reserve horse, Denim, and was second on his team ride, Possante.
Phillip Dutton and Possante prepping for the world championships at the Horse Park of New Jersey. (Amy Dragoo photo)
“The footing was really good, and the course was not overly strong, but it (had) good little questions to practice on,” he commented.
“Generally, I feel the ground there is pretty good. It’s got a component of sand in it as well. I thought that it was pretty good conditions to have a last run.”
Dutton’s U.S. teammates, Caroline Pamukcu with HSH Blake and reserve rider Jennie Brannigan with FE Lifestyle also competed in the Advanced Intermediate. Additional participants included Australian squad member Sophia Hill with Humble Glory (in the Open Intermediate) and New Zealand’s Monica Spencer and Artist, who were members of the bronze medal-winning team at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championships in Pratoni, Italy.
U.S. team member Boyd Martin was on hand, riding his Shanroe Cooley, an alternate for the squad. The horse competed in the Open Intermediate, but withdrew after dressage and stadium jumping, before cross-country.
click here for results
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 16, 2026
The traditional quadrennial Pan American Games will be held in Peru next summer, but first, a new concept of a three-discipline FEI championship for the Americas will come to Ocala, Fla., January 21-31.
The inaugural Pan American Equestrian Confederation (PAEC) Championship of the Americas for jumping, dressage, and eventing, will be held at the World Equestrian Center, with eventing cross-country at the Florida Horse Park. It will run at the same time as weeks three and four of the WEC Winter Spectacular Show Series.
“The championship was created to provide more opportunities for riders across the Americas, grow the sport and build a structured pathway for athletes,” said PAEC President Cesar Hirsch.
“The idea was a continuation of PAEC’s mission of supporting and growing equestrian sport from the grassroots to the elite level.”
The PAEC board believes that the Championship will provide countries with a valuable opportunity to showcase emerging talent and support the development of the next generation of athletes. It also could serve as an opportunity for countries to field their top athletes and refine preparation ahead of major championships such as the Pan Ams.
“PAEC aims serve all of the countries in the Americas with this landmark event, no matter the extent of their high performance program. We want to build a legacy,” said Hirsch.
“This event is a great example of quick action and collaboration undertaken to establish the FEI PAEC Championship of the Americas. This concept has been long overdue but is finally coming to fruition due to exemplary cooperation and coordination among the FEI, USEF, PAEC, and, of course, WEC, whose team set out to offer support, resolve issues, and ensure a viable championship for the future,” said US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara. “It will be a great addition to athlete pathways across all of the Americas and will sync nicely with the Pan American Games going forward.”
Hirsch and PAEC approached USEF for assistance with the event, knowing that the ideal venue for it was WEC – Ocala, which runs numerous USEF licensed competitions across the breeds and disciplines throughout the year.
WEC Senior Director of Equine Operations Tom Hern noted, “We are thrilled to host the inaugural FEI PAEC Championship of the Americas. WEC was purpose-built to hold the best equestrian competition in the world.”
The Championship will feature jumping at the 1.45m-1.50m level, and dressage will be contested as a hybrid of Small Tour and Big Tour combinations. Eventing will be held at the 2-Star Short level. Countries may field teams of up to five athletes, including one reserve, in all three disciplines. Qualification is based on the Minimum Eligibility Requirements, and team and individual medals will be awarded in each discipline at the only FEI medal championship for senior teams in the Americas.
Founded in 2001, PAEC is the official continental authority recognized by the FEI, Panam Sports, and major sports associations. The board includes Hirsch, USEF President and Group IV Representative Tom O’Mara, FEI Group IV Chair Monique Archer (BAR), FEI Group V Chair Daniela Garcia Nigaglioni (MEX), FEI Group VI Representative Luiz Roberto Giugni (BRA), FEI Group VI Chair Esteban Abedrabbo (ECU), and Athlete Representative Tiffany Foster (CAN).
Jaime Morillo (ECU), who is part of the FEI Solidarity Program to promote and develop sustainable and structured equestrian culture and sport worldwide, is the PAEC Sport Development Officer, while Elena Couttenye (VEN) is the Games & Championships Coordinator at PAEC.
The vision for the FEI PAEC Championship of the Americas is to be a quadrennial event, with plans to add disciplines such as para dressage and vaulting in the future. The inaugural edition will be held in the same year as the 2027 Pan American Games to immediately expand competitive and preparatory opportunities for athletes across the Americas. After the 2027 edition, the Championship will enter its regular four-year cycle, with the next event scheduled for 2029.
The year after the Olympics traditionally has been quiet without a championship in the Western Hemisphere. Across the Atlantic, the European Championships run every two years, starting with the year after the Olympics.
The strategic objective is for the new championship to become an established qualification pathway for the Pan American Games, alongside the various regional championships. This framework ensures continuity of high-level competition across the region and provides National Federations with a predictable pathway for athlete development and planning.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 18, 2026
The U.S. Equestrian Federation announced it has hired a company to lead the process of looking for a successor to CEO Bill Moroney, who will retire at the end of the year.
The board signed an agreement with Korn Ferry, an executive search and leadership advisory firm, to support the search. Korn Ferry has experience recruiting chief executives for national governing bodies and sports organizations. It will be working with the USEF search committee to manage the process.
Interested in the position? Click here to read the job description. It’s not for the easily intimidated!
If you want to apply for the job, or recommend someone for the position, contact USEF@kornferry.com.
To find out what the job involves, read our interview with Bill that ran earlier this month. Click here for the first part and here for the the second part.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 19, 2026
A little more than two months after Cherie DeVaux became the first woman trainer to win the Kentucky Derby (then went on to become the second trainer of her sex to to take the Belmont Stakes in June with Golden Tempo) Lindsay Schultz produced a record of her own Saturday, as a female trailblazing winner at the fifty-ninth running of the Grade I Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park.
The first woman to train a Haskell victor, Lindsay is in charge of Baby Vino, the runaway winner of the Haskell’s prep race, the Pegasus last month. In the Haskell, the 3-year-old son of Vino Rosso overtook Preakness winner Napoleon Solo to win the New Jersey track’s $1 million feature, a win-and-you’re-in for October’s Breeders Cup.
Lindsay started taking riding lessons in fifth grade, and worked at barns in order to continue her involvement. She enrolled at the University of Louisville, which has an Equine Industry program, then went on to do everything from hot walking to prepping yearlings before starting her own stable.
Prior to the Haskell, Lindsay had never trained a horse that ran in a Grade I race. She is local to Monmouth in the summers, which made the victory even sweeter.
“Hopefully, there will be more to come,” Lindsay said to the Thoroughbred Daily News after her trip to the winner’s circle.
“It’s huge for our stable. It’s a really big deal. It’s so great for this horse. From the moment he started working, we just loved this horse, and to really show what he has is what we do it for.
“What’s even better,” she told Matt Shifman of Horse Racing Nation, “is that I’m the first female to win the Haskell and there was the first female to win the Derby and there was a first female to win the Belmont (Jena Antonucci in 2023). I think it’s just great that women like Kathleen O’Connell and Linda Rice have been around. They really opened it up for us.”
As she noted proudly about Baby Vino (bred in Kentucky by another woman, Lisa Parks), “This horse can make a run from anywhere. We thought the way it set up there would be a lot of speed and he’d sit behind it. But there wasn’t as much speed as we thought.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 19, 2026
Two British eventers died within hours of each other Saturday due to falls on cross-country at separate events in England.
Sophie Fouracre, a three-time veteran of the Burghley 5-Star, was fatally injured while riding a 5-year-old mare, Rhubarbsfox Britannia, at Swalcliffe Park in Oxfordshire. Shortly thereafter at Penrth in Cumbira, Kerry Donoghue died after an accident in the Open Novice while aboard Carneyhaugh Rua, on whom David Doel finished tenth at the Luhmuelen 5-star in 2021.
“At both venues, the event medical teams responded immediately and provided emergency treatment. Despite their best efforts, neither rider could be saved,” a British Eventing spokesperson said.
“Both horses were examined by the attending veterinary team and were found to be uninjured.”
All competition was stopped after the accidents and did not resume at either venue.
BE chief executive Rosie Williams said: “The British Eventing community is heartbroken.
“On behalf of everyone at British Eventing, I want to extend our deepest condolences to Kerry and Sophie’s families, friends and loved ones at this devastating time. Our thoughts are also with their fellow competitors, organizers, officials, volunteers and everyone who has been affected by these tragic events.
“We are immensely grateful to the organizers, doctors, paramedics, veterinary teams, officials and emergency services at both events for the professionalism, compassion and care they showed in the most difficult of circumstances.
“The loss of two members of our eventing family on the same day is almost beyond words, and we know the sadness of these events will be felt profoundly across the sport for some time to come.”
In accordance with BE procedures, “comprehensive reviews of both accidents will now be undertaken”.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 17, 2026
Andre Thieme has bowed out of the German squad for next month’s world championships, after DSP Chakaria, his normally reliable mare, showed some hesitation at the water jump during last weekend’s Falsterbo, Sweden, show.
“I noticed in Falsterbo that Chakaria is currently not jumping the water ditch with the confidence she normally shows. In the interest of my horse and the team, I have therefore decided to waive a start at the world championships. We don’t want to take any risks and will now work quietly on giving her full confidence back at the water.”
It’s too bad for the Germans — among the favorites for the team gold medal — since Andre and his horse in 2024 won the Rolex grand prix at Aachen, the venue where the championships will be held.
Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria after winning the Aachen grand prix two years ago.
Marcus Ehning, no stranger to top sport, will ride Coolio to take Andre’s place. The first reserve is now 2024 Olympic individual gold medalist Christian Kukuk with Checker. The Germans do not lack depth.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 16, 2026
One of the most discussed issues in horse sport involves the loss of its base, the riders who for generations were introduced to competition at the lower levels, then often rose through the ranks to develop a lifetime interest, a career or represent the country.
There are fewer places these days where people can start riding, a function of rising costs involving land, hay, insurance, workers and so much else you can think of, including volunteer burn-out. That’s basically a sign of the times, and no equestrian organization can do much about those items.
But when it comes to shows, although cost also is a major barrier, there are some answers. The entry fee is far from the only issue for someone who wants to test their skills and their horse’s ability. An “away” show means paying for stalls, hotel rooms, grooms, gasoline and other items that add up to a big bill for a weekend’s venture.
It also has gotten more expensive for competition organizers to put on events as they feel the financial pinch.
One of the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s answers is USEF Lite, a lower-cost way to start showing, or even continue competing on a regular basis at a level where a rider feels comfortable. Often, such local-type shows are close to home, which can also mean savings (no hotel room, less travel).
A new Lite initiative will make things less expensive for eventers competing at Training level down to Starter.
USEF CEO Bill Moroney said Lite operates “at a very low set of barriers on the cost of things.”
During a USEF webinar this week, it was announced that eventing is set to become part of the Lite opportunity, starting Dec. 1.
The U.S. Eventing Association will be enabling organizers to offer everything from the Starter level up through Training (the so-called Endorsed levels) in the Lite format, which does not require competitors to be USEF members. Only the coaches and “self-trainers” (including parents acting as trainers for their children), must have an annual “Lite pass,” which costs $15 — but that fee will be covered by USEA.
The lower levels of eventing will become part of the Lite program beginning Dec. 1.
Rob Burk, USEA’s CEO, was enthusiastic about the initiative.
“We’re still in the process of finalizing some of the nitty-gritty details on this. It looks to be like it will be a great fit.
“This change will enable us to offer competitors at these levels access to a licensed competition environment, and all the benefits that come along with that — drug testing, regulatory structure. safety requirements, etc.
“A couple of the things that come along with that, grants to support medical personnel just being one of them,…we think is a really positive thing for our events. We’ve heard from our members…we know that cost is an issue.”
With the Lite format, an event theoretically “could have a dressage judge that’s a learner judge,” which is less expensive than a judge approved at a higher level.
“This way, it could possibly be a little easier for the competition to run a little less cost. And that hopefully will trickle down to the competitors,” Rob pointed out.
“USEA will cover every one of the $15 fees. For that, as a USEF Lite sport trainer…you can go in and become SafeSport-certified. We do feel that for trainers and coaches, it’s in the best interest of the athlete and the best interests of the sport as a whole for people to undergo SafeSport training if they’re going to be in these trainer/coach type positions. I think the (Lite) environment will make a lot of sense.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 15, 2026
The Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics are two years away, but it’s time to apply if you’re interested in volunteering at the Games.
Maybe you can buy a ticket, or maybe not,(there’s great demand) but it’s more fun to be part of the action than it is just to watch. Being a volunteer means swag and all sorts of possibilities, from interacting with athletes to being part of the ceremonies and so many other jobs.
You don’t have to be in the Los Angeles area; volunteers also are being sought in Oklahoma City, New York City; Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, St. Louis, San José and San Diego. But equestrian is in Arcadia, Calif., just outside LA.
Volunteers with sport roles (such as equestrian) will assist with field-of-play operations and maintaining a safe, organized and fair environment for athletes. They will play a crucial role in supporting competition readiness, managing equipment or athlete areas and ensuring that sessions run smoothly and efficiently. Your area of expertise also will help determine your type of volunteer participation.
You must be 18 at the time of your application and be proficient in reading and writing English. Click here if you want to apply. To be in line for an equestrian volunteer job, use this code: 9SMGGA3Q
Or would you like to buy a ticket instead?
July 22 is the final day to register for the second LA28 Ticket Draw for the opportunity to purchase Olympic tickets in Drop 2.
Fans who previously registered for the first LA28 Ticket Draw but didn’t receive a time slot or didn’t purchase their ticket maximums during their time slot in Drop 1 will automatically be entered into the draw for Drop 2.
Additionally, qualifying LA28 Visa cardholders also have until July 22 to opt into the LA28 Visa Presale Ticket Draw, an early purchase window running July 29–31, ahead of Drop 2. Existing registrants can opt in by logging into their account at Tickets.LA28.org, navigating to their profile and checking the Visa Presale box. Paralympic tickets won’t be sold until next year.
Click here to reach the LA28 ticket page.
