April 2026 Issue

April 2026 | EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN 24 The Mid Atlantic Dressage Festival, presented by Täkt Saddlery, is proud to celebrate its fifth year in 2026 and takes place at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA fromMay 14th through 17th. MADFest offers something for every level of sport. The National Show welcomes a wide range of competitors—from ambitious adult amateurs and youth riders to national- level professionals, providing one of the first opportunities to earn qualifying scores for the Fall USDF Regional and National Championships. Meanwhile, the Lexington CDI3* showcases elite international combinations in one of the most beautiful settings on the East Coast. As the first East Coast CDI outside Florida each season, MADFest serves as both a launchpad for elite athletes and a celebration of American dressage’s grassroots foundation. Complete details can be found here: www.midatlanticdressagefestival.com All proceeds benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation It’s not too late. The American Horse Council has released its 2026 AHC Tax Handbook, a compre- hensive guide to federal tax policy affecting the U.S. equine industry. Available as a $50 PDF download, at horsecouncil.org the updated edition reflects changesundertheOneBigBeautifulBillActandoffers practical guidance on business-versus-hobby rules, Section 199A deductions, depreciation, charitable contributions,estateplanning,tariffs,andinternational equine transactions. Designed for owners, breeders, trainers, nonprofits, and farm managers, the hand- book includes real-world examples and compliance checkliststohelpoperationsnavigatetoday’sevolving tax landscape. ### A New Class Announced: The Retired Racehorse Project has announced the trainers accepted for the 2026 Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium,presentedbyThoroughbredCharitiesof America,setforOctober7–10attheKentuckyHorse Park in Lexington. North America’s largest retraining competition for recently retired racehorses and for- mer broodmares, the Makeover will award $135,000 in prize money. Open to professionals, amateurs, juniors, and teams, competitors choose from ten disciplines, with championships returning Saturday. Theeventalsoanchorsabroadersymposiumfeaturing education,ahorsesale,andindustrynetworking.Late applications remain open through June 26, with 314 trainerscurrentlyaccepted.Learnmoreattherrp.org. ### The Delaware Equine Council has launched a newlyredesignedwebsiteaimedatbetterservingthe state’s horse community. The new site, www.dela- wareequinecouncil.org , offers streamlined access to upcomingevents,equinenewsandadvocacyupdates, educational resources, programs, and membership information. Designed for riders, owners, trainers, breeders, competitors, and enthusiasts alike, the platformmakesiteasiertostayinformedandengaged while celebratingDelaware’s vibrant equine industry. Councilleadersencouragethecommunitytoexplore the site, bookmark it for future reference, and share it with fellow horsemen and women. Learn more at www.delawareequinecouncil.org. ### OliverKennedyhasbeenelectedtoleadtheMaryland Horse Industry Board, representing Licensed Stables across the state. A Brookeville, Maryland resident, KennedyoperatesESPFarmwithhisfamilyandbrings decades of experience as a USEF “R” Jumper Judge and FEI Level 3 Jumper Judge. His résumé includes officiating at major events such as the Royal Winter Fair, Winter Equestrian Festival, Washington Inter- national, Spruce Meadows, and U.S. Olympic Trials, alongwithextensiveshowmanagement,announcing, and broadcast commentary. Kennedy also serves in leadership roles with USHJA and previously led the MarylandHorseShowsAssociation,underscoringhis deep commitment to the industry. ### Supporting Mounted Patrol Units: Delaware Senate Bill38,sponsoredbySen.Lawson,establishesfinancial supporttohelpensureretiredlawenforcementhorses receive proper care after their years of service. The legislationprovidesreimbursementforveterinaryand farrierexpenses,increasingtheannualcapfrom$3,000 to $5,000 through amendment. The Department of SafetyandHomelandSecurityandotherstateagencies will administer the program, which is expected to initially support one to two horses, primarily from the Delaware State Police Mounted Patrol Unit. The billpassedinMarchandJuneandwassignedintolaw Aug. 20, 2025. Reimbursements will take effect Feb. 20, 2026, and apply only to horses retiring after the program’s official implementation date. ### Go north, eh. Equestrian Canada has launched the Eventing Venue Development Fund to strengthen and expand eventing infrastructure nationwide. Offering grants from $500 to $100,000, the fund will supportbothFEI-sanctionedandnationalvenueswith upgrades to facilities, safety features, technology, and environmental systems. The initiative comes as Can- ada currently hosts just six FEI events, with Bromont servingasthecountry’sonlyCCI3*+andLongformat option.By investing invenuedevelopment,Equestri- an Canada aims to elevate facilities to international standards,enhanceathletecompetitiveness,improve spectatorexperiences,andfosterlong-termgrowthof the sport. Learnmore at www.equestrian.ca ### Ohio bound: Eventers, if you’re headed to join our friends at the Equine Affaire Ohio, Olympian Phyllis Dawson will headline the eventing program at April 9–12, presenting multiple educational sessions throughout the weekend. A veteran of more than 20 Kentucky Three-Day Events, Dawson represented the United States at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, finishing 10th overall as the highest-placed American,andlatercompetedattheOpenEuropean Championships at Burghley. She owns and operates Windchase Eventing in Purcellville, Virginia, and is a Level 5 USEA-certified coach. Eventers can find schedulesandticketinformationatequineaffaire.com. ### Pony power: The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) has announced the addition of the WIHS Pony Jumper Championships, open to junior riders and featuring Small, Medium, and Large Pony divisions.Approximately24pony-and-ridercombina- tions will qualify: 18 throughWIHS qualifying classes, three from the USEF Pony Finals (top-placed in each height),andthreechampionsfromtheWIHSRegional Show. The championship will take place Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, during MARS Barn Night alongside the popularFEIAccumulatorCostumeClass.Ridersmust be WIHS members to earn qualifying points. Learn more at wihs.org . ### the feed APRIL 2026