Manuel Torres and Chambacunero. (ESI Photography©.) Saugerties, NY - The HITS winter show season just passed the mid-way point for all three of its circuits in Ocala, FL, Tucson, AZ, and Thermal, CA. As the leading show management company in the sport, HITS hosts 35 weeks of competition each year, with 58 Grand Prix and some of the biggest prize money purses offered anywhere in the world, including the historic Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. At its peak, HITS hosts six Grand Prix events a week...

California's Steffen Peters with his new star "Weltino's Magic". (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - Riders who dream of competing at the Pan American Games began their quest at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J in Burbank, CA, February 24-27, 2011. As the first official qualifying competition on the West Coast, horses and riders vied for scores in front of FEI judges Jayne Ayers ("I" USA), Natalie Lamping ("I" USA), and Lorraine MacDonald ("I" CAN). In addition, this competition...

Fans of the U.S. Show Jumping Team (Shannon Brinkman/USEF) Lexington, KY – The following horse/rider combinations have been named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to represent the U.S. in America’s only Nations Cup which will be held in Wellington, FL on March 4, as part of CSIO Wellington. The Palm Beach International Equestrian Club’s International Arena will host some of the best horse/rider combinations from across the globe as they vie for top honors in the $75,000 FEI...

Peter Doubleday. (Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com.) Lexington, KY — Peter Doubleday has been elected Chairman of the Board of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. Doubleday, a founding Director of the Hall of Fame, succeeds Gene Mische, who served as Chairman since the inception of the Hall of Fame in 1987 until his death this past December. Doubleday has been a prominent figure on the nation’s horse show circuit since 1975. As the show announcer for about 30 horse shows a year, his...

Lexington, KY – Have you ever had an equestrian dream that you just couldn’t quite reach? Do you wish you could have a special experience in the equestrian world but challenging circumstances have gotten in your way? If so, then a newly launched scholarship program may just make your dreams reality. The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Foundation “Making A Dream” Scholarship Program is philanthropic in nature and extends opportunities to individuals with unique circumstances who...

McLain Ward and Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve. (Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Saturday night at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve in the $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2* Grand Prix. The class was held on a beautiful Florida evening under the lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Riders representing 12 different countries made up the international field this evening, showing over a course...

Intermediaire I class sponsor LA Saddlery present the blue ribbon to owner Jen Hlavacek and rider St (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - For the second day in a row, Steffen Peters and "Weltino's Magic" wowed the judges at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J in Burbank, CA, the first Pan American Games qualifying competition of the year on the West Coast. Even as rain forced the Intermediaire I Test to be moved into the indoor Equidome, Peters and Jen Hlavacek's Westfalen gelding...

Steffen Peters & Welton's magic. (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - West Coast riders began their journeys towards qualification for the Pan American Games today in Burbank, CA as part of the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J. Contesting the FEI Prix St. Georges Test, a very competitive field of fifteen U.S., Canadian, and German riders and horses thoroughly impressed FEI judges Jayne Ayers ("I" USA), Natalie Lamping ("I" USA), and Lorraine MacDonald ("I" CAN). "Today's class was fun...

Shannon Dueck on Ayscha. (Photo by Susan J. Stickle.) Wellington, FL - With less than two weeks until the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach gets under way on March 9-11 2011, a number of the world's top riders and their horses are preparing to travel to South Florida. The World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group will award more than 400,000 Euros over four competitions in 2011, making it the world's richest dressage series. The first...

Rich Fellers and Flexible. (Flying Horse Photography© .) Thermal, CA - Action at the Desert Circuit kicked into high gear on Thursday night as HITS welcomed Stuart Meikle, Director of Equine Marketing for Pfizer Animal Health, and his team, along with several leading veterinarians for an exciting night of show jumping in the indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. The group was treated to a thrilling class as Rich Fellers (Wilsonville, OR) and Flexible, owned by Harry and...