March 2026 Issue

The Equine Safety and Success Network (ESSN) hasreleased itsGuidedTrailRidingSafe- ty Guide, a new resource designed to support safer trail riding operations through awareness, clarity, and professional decision-making. The guide is part of ESSN’s broader Equine Safety andSuccessGuide™ frameworkandresponds to recurring patterns observed in trail ride inci- dents, liabilitycasesandoperationalbreakdowns across the equine industry.  “Guided trail rides are often viewed as low risk because they feel familiar,” Randi Thompson , founder of the Equine Safety and Success Network said. “But when incidents occur, courts and investiga- tors look closely at preparation, judgment, and whether risks were recognized and managed before they escalated. This guide helps opera- tors understand where those safety decisions actually occur.” ### In a major win for equestrian sport, billionaire Ross Stevens by way of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee , has committed $100 million to provide financial security for ALL U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes beginningwith the 2026 Games through 2032. Every American athletewhoqualifies—medalornot—willreceive $200,000. This is especially meaningful in a sys- temwhereequestrianOlympiansoftenshoulder six- and seven-figure costs. The gift is the largest in the history of and moves the needle toward sustainability at the highest level of sport. ### For nosy Nellies (meaning all of us ) who like to see behind all the doors into those beautiful homes, barns, and gardens, the Trinity Up- perville Episcopal Church will hold its  67th Annual Hunt Country Stable Tour on May 23-24, featuring Upperville village and exclusive farm properties and The Hunt Country Stable Tour is theprimaryfund-raiserfor Trinity Community & Outreach Programs and Grants and the tourgeneratesover$100,000forthegreatergood annually. Proceeds provide financial support to organizations that enhance and enrich the lives of people. ### Compete from the comfort of your own chair or barn.   Cheery Acres Online Horse Shows , based in Virginia, offers opportunities for you to film yourself and your horse completing events to submit for judging. Patterns and submission information are available at cheeryacres.com. Don’t wait – the last show of the winter season is March 29! ### US Equestrian Federation (USEF.org ) has released a new Incident Response Guide for Competitions, aimed at improving horse and rider safety through consistent reporting of falls and on-site emergencies. According to Katlynn Wilbers ,accuratefalldataiscriticaltoidentifying risk factors and shaping future, evidence-based safety rules. All horse and rider fallsmust nowbe reported in official results across USEF -licensed disciplines (eventing has its ownprotocols). The guide provides organizers with standardized emergency action plans, communication pro- tocols, and response procedures. The full guide and reporting requirements are available on the US Equestrian website. ### The USEF is also launching “Lifetime Care Contacts,” which allows USEF members to add themselves to a horse’s USEF record, signifying that if the horse is ever in need of financial assis- tance or a home, they would be contacted. The goal of the feature is to add a voluntary safety net for horses that have touched our hearts, but this program can only be as effective as the scope of its use. US Equestrian encouragesmembers to utilize this free feature tomake this equine safety net as robust as possible. ### It’s not too late: The Maryland Horse Breed- ers Association (MHBA) announced a new Maryland Broodmare Incentive Program for 2026. This program is designed to encourage broodmare buyers this year to bring new mares to Maryland to foal in 2026 and be bred back to a Maryland stallion . The program will offer a total of $50,000 for 2026 incentives to buyers/ owners of broodmares that are new toMaryland. If the purchased mare meets requirements, has an application filed, and qualifies, the mare owner will get back 20% of the purchase price of the mare. Learn more at MarylandThorough- bred.com . ### The National Steeplechase Association recorded its safest year of racing in more than two decades in 2025. The improvement reflects years of focused safety work, including better turf management, removal or modification of problematic fences, the addition of running rails, mandatory Level 2 safety vests for riders, and strict enforcement of course standards—in- cluding pulling sanctions from venues deemed unsafe.Theresultunderscoreswhatcoordinated infrastructure, equipment, and compliance can achieve for horse and rider safety. ( Editor’s note: Steeplechase season has started! Check next month’s issue for the annual schedule.) ### Green acres, green horses : Stableview Farm , a 1,000-acre equestrian destination in Aiken, is expanding beyond horse sport to embrace ecotourism and conservation with a new Envi- ronment Package set to launch in spring 2026. The two-night experience highlights the 800 acres of conserved land—home to 350+ plant species and wildlife including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker—alongside guided exploration of Aiken’s historic equestrian com- munity. The initiative builds on Stable View’s Continued on page 76 schorsecouncil.com info.schorsecouncil@gmail.com Add your voice JOIN TODAY! C O N N E C T ~ C O M M U N I C A T E ~ E D U C A T E Y E A R O F T H E F I R E H O R S E We represent and support all breeds and all disciplines within the South Carolina equine community. Help us, so that we can help you. D E D I C A T E D T O T H E F U T U R E O F H O R S E S , H O R S E S P O R T S , A N D E Q U I N E B U S I N E S S E S SOUTH CAROLINA HORSE COUNCIL the feed March 2026