by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 2, 2026
Author and ground-breaking trainer Monty Roberts died Saturday at his ranch in California. He was 91.
His best-selling memoir, “The Man Who Listens to Horses,” was read by millions of people and made him an international sensation.
The horse-training method he called “Join-Up” involved trust-based communications, detailing a sympathetic way for humans to interact with them. He mentored the late Queen Elizabeth II after she learned of his methods in 1989. They often were photographed together while he worked with her horses.
Monty Roberts at work.
The son of a trainer, Monty started as a stunt double for Elizabeth Taylor and others, while training such actors as James Dean for East of Eden.
But growing up, he saw things he didn’t like in the ways people “training” horses interacted with them.
“My father trained horses in the traditional way, 6,000 years of methods handed down generationally, often violent and rarely fair to the horse. He expected me to follow in his footsteps and so I was also violently disciplined in the only way he knew how, through pain and force. I vowed to seek better methods for my horses.
“I first learned to listen to horses while observing wild mustangs in Nevada at the age of thirteen. Sent there to round up horses for the Salinas Rodeo Association’s Wild Horse Race, I spent hours silently watching the feral horses interact with each other.”
Monty and Shy Boy, who died this year at the age of 33.
Monty sought an alternative to the rough horse training involving force and fear that he too often witnessed, paving the way to the kinder natural horsemanship approach that is widely favored today.
He believed horses communicated through a language he called “Equus.” By understanding and respectfully using this language in a round pen, he showed that a trainer could invite a horse to voluntarily “join up” and choose partnership with a human.
His daughter, Debbie Roberts Loucks, commented, “For the world, he was known as the man who listens to horses. To me, he was simply Dad, a man of extraordinary kindness, unwavering integrity, and an unshakable belief that trust could accomplish what force never could.
“For more than eight decades, he dedicated his life to changing the way people understand and work with horses. His mission reached far beyond horsemanship. He believed that true leadership is built on communication, patience, empathy, and respect; lessons that have touched the lives of countless people around the world.
“Our family is deeply grateful for the love, friendship, and support you have shown him throughout his remarkable life. Your letters, visits, stories, and shared experiences have meant more than you could ever know. Together, you became part of a worldwide community united by a common belief that both horses and people thrive when they are treated with kindness and understanding.”
Through his organization, Join-Up International, based in Solvang, Calif., he promoted his methods, teaching horse owners, trainers, and even corporate leaders about non-adversarial communication.
Monty is survived by his wife, Pat Roberts; his children, Debbie and her sister, Laurel Roberts, as well as “a legacy that forever changed how humanity interacts with the horse.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 2, 2026
The Devon Horse Show is a “must” destination for hunter/jumper exhibitors, and attracts representatives of other disciplines as well. Another USEF Heritage competition, Fairview Partners Dressage at Devon, is held at the venue in September.
Founded in 1896, the May/June multi-breed show is a magnet for young hunter, jumper and equitation competitors, who consider being part of it a rite of passage. Amateurs gear their ambition to an appearance there. And professionals know the show season isn’t complete without a stop on the venerated showgrounds along Philadelphia’s Main Line.
Hunter riders consider a Devon ribbon a mark of excellence.
Families from the area pass down their box seats to their children and grandchildren. It’s standing room only for the Sapphire Grand Prix on the second Thursday of the 12-day show, when the place is packed to overflowing with enthusiastic spectators. Arena eventing on the first Sunday night and four-in-hand carriage competition are among the special features that attract attendance on other days.
The quaint shops offer everything from all sorts of tack to jewelry, clothing and knickknacks. The large souvenir stand does big business for souvenirs visitors are eager to take home, evidence that they have attended one of the most famous landmarks on the equestrian calendar.
Shopping opportunities abound at Devon.
But the facility has undergone a lot of wear and tear over the decades it has stood staunchly in its signature “Devon blue” and white color scheme. The footing is up-to-date, yet some of the structures around the arenas haven’t changed much over the generations. Stabling is being gradually upgraded. And the parking is an issue.
Planning to keep the facility viable in the era of far fancier, amenities-heavy showgrounds such as the World Equestrian Center or Wellington International, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Foundation has announced the launch of the Devon Legacy Initiative, “a five-year, $5 million effort to preserve, restore and modernize Devon’s historic grounds and facilities.”
The initiative will support infrastructure improvements, enhanced hospitality and “exhibitor experiences;” greater accessibility and preservation projects that will help ensure Devon remains a world-class equestrian destination for future generations.
McLain Ward always makes it a point to compete at Devon.
“Our mission is to preserve, restore, and modernize the historic Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, while honoring the traditions that have defined the event for more than 130 years,” the announcement stated.
The Legacy Initiative will officially kick off with a reception on Thursday, Oct. 8 at Triple Crown Restaurant in Radnor, Pa.
“The Devon Legacy Initiative is about stewardship. This effort will help ensure future generations continue to experience the magic and impact of this treasured institution,” said Wayne Grafton, Devon’s chairman and CEO.
For reservations, email Evan@Devonhorseshow.com or call 610-964-0550 ext. 234.
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.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 1, 2026
An injury to Possante in training has led to his replacement for the world eventing championships in Aachen this month. But Phillip Dutton still will be on the team. He had a direct back-up in Denim, who will be his starter in Germany.
“Unfortunately, Possante has come up with an injury in training. He will heal well but not in time for the WEG (world championships).. My huge condolences to Impy and all of his owners! We were really clicking well,” Phillip announced on social media.
Phillip and Possante (Any Dragoo photo)
“It has been an emotional roller coaster of a week to say the least, as, fortunately for me, Denim was then selected as Impy’s replacement. I’m really excited still to be a part of the U.S. team in a very special venue at Aachen.
Possante won the final pre-Aachen competition at the Horse Park of New Jersey last month, where Denim was second.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 2, 2026
As the Neustädter Pferdesommer dressage show in Germany came to a close on Sunday, three-time Olympian Adrienne Lyle had to take a back seat again to one of her students.
Quinn Iverson scored a personal best in the 4-star Grand Prix Special with Billie Davidson’s Gremlin 41, an Oldenburg gelding by Grey Flanell. That combination was marked at 70.745 percent for the win, while Adrienne — winner of the Grand Prix in the division on Thursday — was second with Helix on 70.383 percent. The other American in the competition, Meagan Davis, finished fifth on 67.894 percent with Toronto Lightfoot.
Although there is a large U.S. dressage contingent set to compete in Aachen, Germany, for this month’s world championships, Adrienne is not on the team, since she didn’t apply to be considered. She was the winner in May at the World Equestrian Center’s 3-star competition in Florida with Helix, a 14-year-old KWPN gelded son of Apache.
Another of Adrienne’s students, Katie Duerrhammer on Kylee Lourie’s Rosebank VH, was victorious Friday in the 1-Star Prix St. Georges on a personal best of 73.775 percent. Adrienne had to settle for second on Hussman’s Top Gun with 71.765 percent.
On Saturday, in the 1-star Intermediare I, it was the same story. Katie had another personal best in first place on Rosebank with a score of 74.559 for the 8-year-old Swedish warmblood stallion., Adrienne was second on Top Gun (72.794), who, like Helix, is owned by Zen Elite. Her biggest loss of points with the evolving son of Totilas was in the flying changes every three strides, where she received two marks of 4, two of 5 and one of 6.
On Sunday, Katie Duerrhammer won the Intermediare I with Liam Neeson, 72.939. She was the only U.S. rider in the class.
click here for results in the Grand Prix. Click here for results in the Prix St. Georges. Click here for results in the I-1. Click here for results in the Special
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 28, 2026
The definite entries for next month’s FEI World Championships at Aachen were published today, so click on the discipline you follow to see all the names. And check out this link for an overview of the most important competition of the year.
We’ll be covering the competition, which means you can come to the site every day from Aug. 11-23 to find out who’s winning (and who’s not).
To see the listing of jumpers entered, click here .
For dressage, click here, and for eventing, click here.
Go to this link for driving, this one for para dressage and this one for vaulting squads.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 26, 2026
Olivia Dutton, the daughter of eventing legend Phillip Dutton, earned the individual bronze medal on Jewelent in the first FEI U25 Eventing Championship Sunday. It was the only U.S. medal of the championship at Millstreet, Ireland.
Jewelent, bred in County Armagh, Ireland, previously was ridden by Phillip, who will represent the U.S. at the world championships next month in Aachen, Germany, on Denim, after Possante was withdrawn August 1 due to an injury.
“It feels unreal to be on the podium,” Olivia commented after the medal presentation, and thanking Jewelent’s owner for letting her ride the horse originally bought for her father.
“It’s been a dream come true coming here. He is an unbelievable horse, and he tries so hard. Our cross-country effort felt amazing, and to jump clear around that tough jumping course was the icing on the cake. I couldn’t be happier and thankful to the team and everyone supporting us, especially my parents and my sister. It’s a huge team effort, and for us to produce this kind of result makes the hard work worth it.”
Germany’s Calvin Böckmann (Altair de la Cense) won individual gold and Cerys Macauley (Kananaskis) of Great Britain claimed individual silver to add to her team’s gold medal. Germany took team silver and Ireland captured the bronze. The U.S., which had two riders fall on the Michael Etherington-Smith cross-country course, was fifth and last behind fourth-place France.
Eventing U25 champion Calvin Böckmann of Germany with Cerys MacCaley of Britain, left, the silver medalist and bronze medalist Olivia Dutton wearing the bronze. (FEI Photo/Benjamin Clark)
The championship was the first offering ever of the global title at Under 25 level, bridging the gap between Young Rider and senior championship competition.
“I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun at a championship. We are very lucky to have this new competition and this venue at Millstreet. The gap between Young Riders and seniors can be big and you can get lost,” Calvin said.
“I don’t normally get nervous, but I did feel the pressure. The cross-country was tough and quite different to anything we have seen in central Europe, but it will prepare us well for the future. My horse showed that she fights and wants to do her best; she grows 10 centimeters. For her to have this result means the world to me.”
Calvin, was the FEI Eventing U25 world number one as he arrived at the meet with the horse he has ridden for 10 years, up from the junior level. He was the leader after dressage, but time penalties cross-country moved him down to third. However, in stadium jumping, the riders standing first and second faltered, with overnight leader Tom Nestor of Ireland dropping to eighth as Cooley Diamond Dancer toppled four rails. Calvin’s clear round gave him the honors with a total of 40 penalties.
Cerys moved up from seventh after cross-country to secure the silver with 45.3. Olivia had the U.S. team’s drop score of 35.8 in dressage, putting her twenty-sixth at that point. She added 12 penalties cross-country, but her stadium round with just 0.4 time penalties to give her the unexpected bronze on 48.2 penalties.
After cross-country, Olivia said of the half-thoroughbred, “This horse is amazing, he was with me all the way round. The plan was to do the straight routes and the priority was to get round for the team, but also to be competitive. And I knew the horse was coming back to his country (Ireland) and that everyone would be watching.”
Her horse is a full brother to Cooley Rosalent, British rider Oliver Townend’s 5-star winner.
Olivia Dutton and Jewelent. (Irish Eventing Times photo)
The U.S. had two other combinations in the top ten, as Molly Duda (Disco Traveler) fifth on 49.2, followed by Jack Curtis (Luska’s Candy Clover) with the same score of 49.2.
Click here for team results. Click here for individual results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 26, 2026
An injury to La Contessa has prompted Marilyn Little, named earlier this month to the U.S. world championships show jumping team, to withdraw from the competition.
“Timing is everything,” the rider said on social media.
Marilyn Little and Contessa.
“Unfortunately, Contessa has had a minor injury, which has set back our preparations for the World Games at Aachen. With the interest of my incredible partner in mind, I have withdrawn her from competition to give her any time she needs to rest and feel her best again.
“Though disappointing for today, I look forward to getting back in the ring with her when the time is right. It is the greatest honor to be selected to represent the Team USA at a major championship and I wish USA Jumping the very best of luck next month.”
Marilyn, who won gold in team and individual eventing for the U.S. at the 2015 Pan American Games, was one of five riders selected for the show jumping team that will compete at Aachen in August. Natalie Dean and Mr. Boombastic have replaced her.
Only four riderswill actually compete on the squad. The others named originally were Olympic medalists McLain Ward and Laura Kraut, as well as Lillie Keenan and Katie Dinan.
by Nancy Jaffer | Jul 24, 2026
Admit it. You’d like to have a voice in who is selected as the next CEO of the U.S. Equestrian Federation, the person who will take over when Bill Moroney retires at the end of the year.
Here’s your chance. The consultant on the project, Korn Ferry, has offered the US Equestrian CEO Community Input Survey.
Fill it out by the Aug. 4 deadline to give your views in a variety of areas. Korn Ferry will collect and analyze all responses and the findings will be used in both the search committee’s work and USEF’s broader planning.
The one who gets the job will have a huge influence on the direction of horse sport in this country (and in the process, likely elsewhere as well). You undoubtedly have thoughts on the subject — we them all over social media. So go ahead and click on the link.
Please share your input by close of business on August 4, 2026. It will take only a few minutes, and it will make a difference.
Here’s your chance: to air your views, click on this link
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.
