The U.S. Equestrian Federation announced Wednesday that it will not renew its contract with U.S. Dressage Team Technical Advisor Debbie McDonald. McDonald, 67, who led the U.S. Dressage Team to silver at the Tokyo Olympics, has served as the team’s technical advisor since taking over from Robert Dover after the 2018 FEI Tryon World Equestrian […]
Just outside of Bozeman, Montana, on a cool night in early September 2021, former international show jumping groom Tasha Houghton stood outside in the rain, anxiously awaiting the arrival of an old friend. As she stomped her feet to stay warm, she fondly reflected on the many places the two had visited together—Normandy, France, in […]
There are few things I love more than sitting at a horse show and watching. Sure, I love competing too, but truly, I could sit ringside and just observe class after class, all day long. I obviously love watching my own sport of dressage, but I would be just as happy at a hunter or […]
This spring, the grounds of the Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event hummed with excitement as it served as the final selection event for the Tokyo Olympics. Now, without ceremony and possibly for good, the longtime spring three-day fixture is gone. The U.S. Equestrian Federation announced Nov. 30 that the Tryon International May Three-Day (North Carolina) […]
Twenty-eight rule change proposals—12 fewer than last year—are up for discussion during the upcoming U.S. Hunter Jumper Association Annual Meeting, which takes place online Dec. 4-10. Rule change proposals that are approved by the USHJA board of directors at the meeting will go to the U.S. Equestrian Federation, where they must be voted on by […]
When she decided to return to the horse world after a 10-year break, Jordan Lubow turned to the Internet, scouring ads in search of a quality young prospect. She’d set up a few appointments to try horses on the East Coast, but some Instagram scrolling sent her in another direction. Using the “explore” feature, Lubow came […]
I am currently on stall rest. As an (overly) active woman who is always on the go, this has not been the most delightful time of my existence. Thankfully, so very thankfully, this is temporary. I am blessed to be a remarkably healthy person, and I truly give thanks for that daily. I’m at the […]
Warning: The following article contains explicit content and descriptions of sexual assault. Two women at the heart of a U.S. Center for SafeSport investigation that led to Bob McDonald being first banned for life in June 2020 on allegations of sexually abusing minors and then reinstated months later have filed a civil suit on similar […]
Imagine: You’re taking your green mare into her first Fédération Equestre Internationale 1.50-meter class. You’re nervous, but you’ve prepared her as much as one can to make the step up a positive experience. But then, mid-course, you spot the end of your martingale where it definitely should not be, namely swinging like a pendulum between […]
Alexandra “Alex” Philpin says she needs to get a real job. She’s been an eventing and dressage competitor, an instructor for 30 years, a barn manager, a British Horse Society instructor, and a groom for eventers, dressage and para-dressage horses at the international level. But to her, those aren’t real jobs because, en route to […]