• Karl Cook (Rancho Santa Fe, California)
• Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Florida)
• Alex Matz (Coatesville, Pennsylvania)
• Alessandra Volpi (Woodside, California)

Competition will begin Sept. 18. The Longines League of Nations Grand Prix CSIO5* takes place at 6 p.m. local time (noon Eastern Time) on Sept. 19. The Longines League of Nations two-round team competition will start at 1:30 p.m. local (7:30 a.m. ET) Sept. 21. All competitions will be livestreamed on ClipMyHorse.TV/FEI.TV.

This is the final qualifying competition for the Longines League of Nations Final taking place in October in Barcelona. After three legs of the Longines League of Nations 2025 series, France heads the league standings with 240 points. Ireland holds second place with 225 points just ahead of Germany in third with 220 and USA and Belgium in equal fourth with 200 points apiece. Great Britain sit close behind in sixth on 195 points with Netherlands in seventh on 185. The final qualifying position is currently occupied by Italy who hold onto eighth position with 165 points. Sweden and Switzerland occupy the ninth and tenth positions with 120 and 90 points respectively.

Click here for more information.

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A Florida court has ruled against Canadian show jumper Eric Lamaze and determined that he owes the Rein family more than $5.5 million for misrepresenting the cost and ownership of various horses he sold the family, along with court costs, legal fees and interest. The judgement in favor of the Rein family comes four months after Lamaze won a legal victory in a related case, and a state appeals court reversed a $1.4 million judgement against him and returned the case to Florida Circuit Court Judge Maxine Cheeseman. 

The judgement in favor of the Rein family stems from a crossclaim the family filed against Lamaze in October 2023, after being embroiled in a suit brought by Lorna Guthrie and her deceased husband Jeffrey Brandmaier. The suit accused the Canadian rider of selling the couple’s share in show jumper Nikka VD Bisschop, who under the Reins’ ownership went on to represent Canada at the 2023 Pan American Games (Chile) and 2024 Paris Olympic Games, to the Rein family without their consent and then reimbursing them for only a fraction of the sale price. 

In the Rein family’s crossclaim, they accused Lamaze of falsely inflating the price of several horses he purchased for them and misrepresenting Guthrie and Brandmaier’s stake in “Nikka,” among other things. In her final judgement, issued Sept. 5, Cheeseman ruled that Lamaze owed the family $3,043,010 in overpayments for the five horses; $1,175,000 for “misrepresentations and statutory violations related to the Guthrie Parties’ interest in Nikka; and $310,000 in legal fees incurred as part of Guthrie’s suit—for a total of more than $4.5 million in damages—plus more than $900,000 in pre-judgement interest and an additional $88,000 in attorney’s fees for a total of $5,525,630.26.

Although the judgement commands that payment be made immediately, Lamaze has filed multiple letters with the court asking that he be given access to his bank accounts, which were frozen as part of the Guthrie case that is currently under appeal. In his letters, Lamaze said that while people helped fund his legal defense earlier in the case, which has been going on since January 2023, his resources have “since been exhausted.” He called his financial situation “dire” and said he had been unable to find a firm willing to represent him pro bono due to the complexity of the case, and that all attorneys he spoke to required a retainer of $30,000 or more, which he could not afford. 

In July, Tal Milstein Stables in Belgium announced—in a since-deleted social media post—that Lamaze would be offering coaching services there. However, the rider has been suspended by the Fédération Equestre Internationale through Sept. 11, 2027, and it was not immediately clear whether the coaching job would be a violation of the terms of that suspension. An FEI spokesperson said the organization was reviewing the matter. 

“The FEI is reviewing the situation and so far has found no evidence that Eric Lamaze has acted as a coach or has been involved in FEI-related activities,” the FEI spokesperson said in an email to the Chronicle.

A spokesperson for Lamaze did not immediately return a request for comment.

The post Lamaze Ordered To Pay Rein Family $5.5M In Horse Sales Lawsuit appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

Throughout the summer, more than 160 athletes participated in 10 regional training sessions held nationwide, receiving invaluable education over the course of five days with mounted and unmounted instruction. Based on the recommendations of the riding and stable management clinicians, 16 athletes and five stable managers are selected to attend the National Training Session each year.

Riders at the National Training Session will vie for the title of champion and a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training based on their performance in the riding and stable management sessions throughout the week. Congratulations to the following athletes and stable managers on being selected to participate in this year’s National Training Session:

Athletes

• Elliette Baker of Versailles, Kentucky
• Caroline Barclay of Roswell, Georgia
• Reese Dorsey of Parkton, Maryland
• Simi Gibson of Denver
• Anna Huard of Howell, Michigan
• Jocelynn Johnson of Falls Church, Virginia
• Alyson Jones of Groveland, Florida
• Hunter Lewis of Denver
• Molly McKeon of Laguna Niguel, California
• Olivia McKinstry of Vernon, Connecticut
• Brooke O’Malley of Los Angeles
• Cristina Pinnow of Winston Salem, North Carolina
• Jillian Puthoff of Reno, Nevada
• Abigail Ringuette of Unionville, Connecticut
• Lauren Satola of Fulton, Maryland
• Finley Scheffel of Georgetown, Kentucky

Stable Managers

• Emmie Esplin of Diana, New York
• Avery Houser of Raleigh, North Carolina
• Abigail Karl of Mundelein, Illinois
• Lucy Mackowiak of Westerville, Ohio
• Carly Williams of Efland, North Carolina

EAP athletes will be closely observed and evaluated during all phases of the four-day national training session, including flatwork, gymnastics, related distances and coursework, an intensive stable-management curriculum, and through a written test that gauges the horsemanship knowledge each finalist has gained throughout the year. In addition to the competition, finalists will participate in joint educational seminars with USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Nationals, which is held concurrently.

One rider will be named the overall USHJA EAP National Champion and will receive a $3,000 grant to be applied toward the cost of advanced training, as well as a variety of additional products and gifts from USHJA sponsors. Additionally, the top two EAP finalists will receive a coveted riding spot at a USHJA Gold Star Clinic within the next two years of their choice. Part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, these clinics offer horsemanship, stable management, mounted instruction and additional education from top clinicians and athletes.

For more information on the MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session, visit ushja.org/EAP.

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The U.S. Equestrian Federation has published a series of Horse Welfare Guidelines that the organization intends to serve as a basis for improved physical and mental well-being of equine partners. This announcement comes on the heels of USEF’s expanded Unethical Treatment of a Horse rule published last year, which empowered USEF and licensed officials to take action in cases of unethical treatment of horses, on and off show grounds. The guide provides more examples and context for horse welfare best practices in training and competition. 

Developed by USEF Chief of Sport David O’Connor, the guidelines are based on the concept of a stoplight. Examples of horse and athlete behavior fall into one of three zones: green (acceptable or horse-friendly), yellow (cautionary or in need of monitoring), or red (in need of intervention or unacceptable).  

“David based these guides on a similar system used by the German Equestrian Federation,” stated the USEF release. “They are not rules, but are educational tools designed to help participants take in the full picture in front of them and determine whether they need to continue to observe, report, or intervene.”

“I am very excited about this initiative,” said Dr. Tracy Turner, president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, in the USEF statement. “We support a humane and ethical partnership with horses for recreation, sport and competition. Working together, we can make a difference for the well-being of our horses.” 

The new Protecting Horses webpage contains a slideshow and the start of an ongoing video series, “Know the Signs,” which explains the guidelines and provides examples. More videos in the series will be available this fall. This US Equestrian magazine feature also explained more about the concepts and their application. 

USEF also announced plans to offer webinars for trainers, coaches and riders to help them better understand the guidelines, including a session for trainers and coaches Oct. 6, and another for athletes on Oct. 7. USEF members will receive email instructions on how to sign up for these webinars in the coming weeks. 

“Licensed officials have already been briefed on these guidelines and know the options they have available to advise, caution or formally warn someone they see acting in the red zone,” stated the release. “When the situation warrants, they have the power to issue verbal warnings, recorded warnings, or yellow card warnings, and to disqualify or eliminate someone who is mistreating a horse. Members can also report treatment they witness that falls in the red zone. You can learn more about the reporting and investigations process for unethical treatment here. 

“Reports from members or licensed officials will be fully investigated and could result in penalties from USEF. 

“We recognize that the vast majority of our membership maintains high standards for their care and treatment of horses. We also recognize a need to provide educational tools that can help keep the culture of equestrian sport moving forward,” the statement continued.

For questions or thoughts about the new tools, email protectinghorses@usef.org. 

The post USEF Releases Guidelines To Outline Equine Welfare Best Practices appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

Historically, Talent Search Finals competition has taken place over three days. This year, the first day will consist of the rider meeting, jog and a schooling class. The riding portion of the competition will be condensed into two days, with the flat and gymnastics taking place on the same day, with the jumping phase and work-off for the top four competitors taking place the following day.

The biggest change is to the flat and gymnastics phases. Previously, the judges had the flexibility to decide how to run the flat. Most years they utilized a traditional group flat class, however occasionally they used an individual test, similar to the National Collegiate Equestrian Association flat format, where riders perform specific movements in a set pattern. The specifications for 2025 call for the flat test to be performed individually. In that test, “each athlete will demonstrate a set number of flat exercises to prepare their horse for the gymnastic phase, which will follow directly after their completion of the flat.”

Though riders will remain the ring for both phases, they will still be scored separately.

“The Talent Search focus group felt this format would be more consistent with what an athlete could see or experience in their day-to-day training and/or practice of the flatwork skills needed to best prepare and educate horses aiming to jump at the grand prix level,” said Erin Keating, USEF director of jumper development programs. “The flatwork phase is always the foundation for the gymnastics phase, which is an important skill in building fitness and rideability at the championship level. The overall judging criteria for Talent Search remains the same as in past years, with the judges looking to identify athletes best demonstrating the talent and understanding of the foundations of classic riding across all three phases.”

There will be no change to the final day of competition, which starts with the jumping phase, followed by a jog for the top four horses, then the top four athletes will swap horses and tackle a shortened course to determine the winner.

Another change this year mandates a jog for all horses the day prior to the ridden portions of the schedule. Previously only the horses competing in the final four were asked to jog.  

“We felt it was important to make the change to include an inspection with the ground jury and veterinarians prior to the start of competition, which is more in alignment with a traditional jumping championship format,” Keating said.

This year, the East Coast final will take place Oct. 3-5 at the USET Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, and it will be judged by Chris Kappler and Caitlin Venezia White. The West Coast final will run Nov. 7-9 at Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, and will be judged by Jimmy Torano and Lillie Keenan.

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The following athletes have been selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Young Rider Team and are listed in alphabetical order.

Mia Bagnato (Fishkill, New York) and Cordiamo, a 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Cornet Du Lys—Condiama, Conthargos) owned by Elan Farm  

Alexa Elle Lignelli (New York City) and her own XO Zadora, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Zavall VDL—Bull Run’s Divine Fortune, Padinus) 

Carlee McCutcheon (Aubrey, Texas) and Aralyn Blue, a 14-year-old Oldenburg mare (Chacco-Blue—Apienne, Ludwigs AS) owned by Road To The Top 

Olivia Sweetnam (Wellington, Florida) and Epic, a 10-year-old Anglo European gelding (Billy Mexico—Ursulla, Flyinge Electro) owned by Monika Preston and Sweet Oak Farm 

Skylar Wireman (Bonsall, California) and Barclino B, a 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Constanzehof’s Barcley—La Siena B, Lasino) owned by Wireman Investment Group, Shayne Wireman and the rider  

The following athletes have been selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Junior Team and are listed in alphabetical order.

Philippa Ammann (Wellington) and Zarina De Vidau, a 14-year-old Spanish Sport Horse mare (Diamant De Semilly—Carina XXXVII CH, Coeur De Nuit) owned by Temple Equestrian LLC

Sophia Ayers (Reddick, Florida) and her own Conthinder, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Conthargos—Nanina, Nintender)

Campbell Brown (Fayetteville, Arkansas) and Colina Z, an 11-year-old Zangersheide mare (Hofgut Liederbach’s Ingmar—Calina Z, Carthago) owned by MMK Equestrian LLC

Lily Epstein (Coral Gables, Florida) and her own Zjechov, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Durrant—Ziena, Heartbreaker)

JJ Torano (Wellington) and Lyon 50, an 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion (Lord Argentinus—Lexis Girl, Lex Lugar) owned by Kadley Farms LLC and North Run  

The 2025 FEI Jumping Youth Nations Cup Final will take place in Lier, Belgium, featuring pony, children, junior and young rider classes at the championship level for each different category. The U.S. Junior Jumping Team will jump at a height of 1.40 meters, while the U.S. Young Rider Jumping Team will compete at 1.45 meters. Each team will contest two qualifying rounds early in the week to compete in the Youth Nations Cup Final for both sections on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Tune in live on ClipMyHorse.TV/FEI.TV with a ClipMyHorse.TV Premium Membership. USEF subscribers, competing members and fans receive a 10% discount on ClipMyHorse.TV premium memberships.  Find out more information.

Event Website | Schedule | Start Lists & Results

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The change was approved last week at a USEF board of directors meeting. While some breeds and disciplines, such as dressage, already have blood rules in place, the modified GR843 will be the first specifically addressing blood for others, including show hunters.

“The rule is intended to protect horse welfare while acknowledging that a variety of situations may result in the presence of blood on a horse,” stated an Aug. 26 USEF press release announcing the change. “According to the updated rule, blood caused by the rider/handler or equipment requires the horse to be eliminated from the relevant class. The new rule language also states that the presence of blood on horses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a licensed judge or ground jury.

“USEF recognizes that horses may sometimes bite their tongue or lips in the normal course of work,” the statement continued. “If minor blood is spotted in a horse’s mouth, the new rule allows the licensed judge or ground jury to rinse or wipe the horse’s mouth and permits the horse to continue if there is no further evidence of blood. If bleeding continues, the horse will be eliminated.”

In cases where a specific breed or discipline’s rules are stricter than the updated blood rule, such as in dressage, those more stringent rules will take precedence in competition. 

In cases where blood is found on a horse competing in a class that is a qualifier for another class, a judge can stop a horse, examine it and determine whether it may continue, or examine it after the class if the blood is not spotted until then. In such cases, if the horse is allowed to continue and has otherwise qualified for the subsequent class, such as a championship or a jump-off, it may compete as long as the bleeding is resolved.

The rule will go into effect Dec. 1. USEF has created a “frequently asked questions” page to help answer questions about it.

Also at the Aug. 26 meeting, the USEF board of directors approved a rule change allowing points and money won earned in Channel II (Regional hunter and Jumper Level 1-3) competitions to be applied to both Channel I and Channel II Horse of the Year awards.

On Aug. 21, a presidential modification went into effect waiving the requirement to have the full qualifying criteria and official specifications posted on the USEF website 30 days prior to the start of the qualifying period for the USEF Pony Hunter National Championship and USEF Junior Hunter National Championship. According to the USEF’s release, this modification will allow organizers to incorporate feedback from this year’s championships into next year’s qualifications. Click here for more information. 

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Parra, 62, was suspended for 15 years, fined approximately $18,600 and ordered to pay $12,400 in legal costs by the FEI, in a decision announced Aug. 6, after a lengthy investigation into claims he abused multiple horses in his care.

A prominent figure in international equestrian sport, Parra has competed at the top level since 1998. He represented his native Colombia at the 1999 Pan American Games, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2002 and 2006, and the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final. After switching nationalities in 2008, Parra competed for the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2014 FEI World Cup Final.

He was first provisionally suspended on Feb. 2, 2024, after a video was posted to Parra’s social media showing the trainer engaging in abusive behavior and training methods involving multiple horses. 

“This case is deeply unsettling, not only because of the recurring nature of the abuse, but also because of the number of horses affected,” FEI Legal Director Mikael Rentsch said in the FEI statement announcing Parra’s 15-year suspension. “That such behavior came from a top-level athlete makes it all the more troubling. Our athletes are expected to represent and uphold the highest standards of horsemanship. Horse welfare is the foundation, not an add-on, of equestrian sport.

“The investigation demanded significant time and resources due to the volume and complexity of the evidence, which had to be meticulously verified,” Rentsch continued. “The 15-year suspension sends a clear message that regardless of profile or position, those who violate the principles of horse welfare will face serious consequences.”

Parra was given 21 days to appeal the decision to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, an independent organization that resolves legal disputes in all sporting disciplines, including equestrian. 

The post Cesar Parra Appeals FEI Suspension appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

Cook is vice president of the Utah Dressage Society and a member of the Rocky Mountain Dressage Society. She completed the USDF Young Rider Graduate Program and is a USDF Certified Instructor/Trainer in training and first level. Cook and Rosa Red, a 13-year-old Rhinelander mare (Riberty Gold—Resanchantee) owned by Leslie Edison, will train with Anne Gribbons during the Florida winter season and plan to make their debut in the CDI arena while in Florida.

“I am truly honored to be the recipient of The Dressage Foundation’s $25,000 Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders grant,” said Cook. “Debbie has always been an inspiration to me, and receiving a grant in her name is incredibly meaningful. This support will allow me to continue my education with Anne Gribbons in Florida this winter, helping me grow as both a rider and a horsewoman. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of Leslie Edison and Winter Farms, who have supported me in developing Rosa Red from training level to FEI. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and for the belief in me and my journey with Rosa. I’m excited to carry these lessons forward in pursuit of my goals, and I’m committed to making the most of this opportunity.”

The Debbie McDonald Fund previously provided $10,000 grants to Pacific Northwest FEI riders. Thanks to the generosity of Pamela S. Jones and the Jones Family Foundation—Malama Honua, the Fund expanded and increased in 2023. This is the third $25,000 grant awarded from the Fund.

TDF welcomes additional donations to the Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders. Gifts can be made at www.dressagefoundation.org or by calling Jenny Johnson, TDF’s executive director, at (402) 434-8585. Donations by check can be mailed to TDF’s office at 1314 ‘O’ Street, Suite 305, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68508.

The grant guidelines and application for the Debbie McDonald Fund for FEI Riders can be found on The Dressage Foundation’s website at www.dressagefoundation.org. The application deadline is June 15 of each year.

The post TDF Announces Sydni Cook As 2025 Recipient Of $25,000 Debbie McDonald Fund For FEI Riders Grant appeared first on The Chronicle of the Horse.

“The Wellington International team, with incredible support from Wellington Lifestyle Partners, has been working hard to take the Winter Equestrian and Global Dressage Festivals to the next level,” wrote Kessler in the update.

“I promised you that each year we would get better. I think we all agree that 2025 was better than 2024, and we are making sure 2026 is even more impressive with major improvements in sport, infrastructure, and hospitality.”

Prize money upgrades include making the Rolex US Equestrian Open CSI5* Grand Prix a $1 million class in 2026, as well increasing prize money for all CSI4* grand prix qualifiers from $62,500 to $116,100 and all 1.25-meter or higher junior and amateur jumper classics from $10,000 to $15,000. 

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival show schedule will include three FEI World Cup Qualifiers during the series, which takes place Jan. 7-March 29. The Winter Equestrian Festival, which takes place Dec. 31-March 29, will host 68 FEI jumping world-ranking classes, with FEI winning round qualifiers updated to a two-round format with faults carried forward.

Facility improvements announced at Wellington International include:

• Renovated FEI stabling with new Barnwalkers Pro-Series Stalls and Equitan rubber for equine safety and comfort.
• Arena improvements including GGT textile footing installed in the International Arena and international schooling area, renovations to the Grand Hunter Ring and new footing and drainage in the Pony Island rings and main longeing area by Barn 2.
• Expanded golf cart paths, improved parking and roads between barns to reduce dust and improve travel within the show grounds.
• New bathrooms, plus refurbished wash stalls and manure bins.

Facility improvements at Equestrian Village include:

• Covered spectator stands.
• Redesigned judges’ booths to minimize obstructed views.

Construction updates for Wellington International’s expansion:

• The three rings completed last year will be supplemented by one additional new ring. All four will be available for exercise during the 2026 WEF season.
• The grass derby field has been completed and will be growing a solid root base for use in the 2027 season. 
• A new 205-by-420′ covered arena is being constructed.
• Roadwork is underway to improve traffic flow to the venue.

For more information on upgrades planned for 2026, visit Wellington International.

[WI FL Acquisition LLC, which owns Wellington International, also owns The Chronicle of the Horse.]

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