"What a mare, huh?" said Penny Brennon of her winning mount in the $5,000 Speed Derby. The mare in question is Cowgirl, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood that owner Debi Connor imported from Holland several years ago. With Brennon in the irons, Cowgirl won the $5,000 Speed Derby during the Rocky Mountain Classic (July 14-18, 2010) at the Colorado Horse Park. It was the second week in a row the pair topped the Speed Derby. "This is an amazing horse," Brennon said. "I didn't think we could have a...

Photo by Marc Manning (The combined driving trophy and medal for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games) The beauty of the horse and the spirit of the Bluegrass will be showcased in the unveiling of the trophies and medals to be presented to the world champions of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Lexington-based luxury gift store and fine trophy provider, L.V. Harkness & Co., has worked intimately with Moser Crystal of the Czech Republic to create Team and Individual trophies and...

Photo by Jennifer Singleton (One of the driving marathon elements for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.) Richard Nicoll, driving course designer for the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), was recently on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park for several days to work with the course builder, meet with various decorators, and generally check on the progress of the marathon obstacles. According to Nicoll, construction is now about 95% percent complete on the marathon...

The hillside overlooking the beautiful Grand Prix Ring at Flintfields Horse Park was packed with spectators on Sunday afternoon as Traverse City saw some of the country's top horses and riders compete in a $30,000 Show Jumping Grand Prix. After two exciting rounds of competition, Kim Farlinger of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, earned top prize with her athletic dark bay gelding Cordoba. The class featured a track set by renowned course designer Pierre Jolicoeur, and featured 17 horse-and-rider...

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) wants to send you and a guest to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG)! To celebrate the WEG coming to Kentucky, KER is giving away tickets to its fans, followers, and customers. Ten pairs of tickets will be available to those who sign up for KER’s newsletters, The Weekly Feed and Equine Review, between now and September 24. To enter on www.ker.com , go to the contest page and sign up for the KER newsletters. A new winner will be announced every week. Each...

It's not like Rachel Boggus has time on her hands. In addition to riding and showing three horses across all the divisions, the amateur rider who trains with Michael Dennehy also is completing the last year of her anesthesiology residency at the University of Colorado Medical Center. "I don't have a lot of free time," Rachel admitted. "When I do, I am riding and showing. It's really hard for me to stay away and sometimes that means very long days with very little sleep, but I wouldn't have it...

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) is delighted to announce that nominations for the FEI 2010 Awards are now open. The awards, which were launched last year, acknowledge outstanding achievement in the following five categories: - Athlete of the Year, for the rider, driver or vaulter who has shown exceptional sportsmanship and prowess; - Rising Star, supported by HSBC, for a rider between the ages of 14 and 21 who has demonstrated significant talent and commitment; - Development,...

Photo by Jon Kassel (Kelly Farmer and Listen) Showplace Productions produced a beautiful derby day at Tapestry Farm in Bristol, WI, this weekend following the completion of its Showplace Summertime Horse Show. Tapestry Farm owners Clay and Donna Struve welcomed many of the country's top horses and riders to their scenic farm for a day full of exceptional competition and hospitality for all to benefit the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Horseman's Assistance Fund. Professional...

The FEI has undertaken a review of the Protocol for Thermography and Clinical Examination (Hypersensitivity of Legs) and, in an effort to further strengthen the protocol, has issued the following mandatory guidelines to be applied by the Veterinary Commissions appointed for FEI Events. The new guidelines state: (i) All horses that are tested pursuant to the Protocol for Thermography and Clinical Examination will continue to undergo a thermography examination as one part of the evaluation...

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) has officially announced that saddle seat is approved as an emerging discipline of the IEA, and teams are starting to form all over the United States. Hundreds of teams and thousands of members have enjoyed participating in IEA hunt seat and Western competitions for the past eight years, but this will be the first year for the saddle seat offerings. The mission of IEA is to introduce students in private and public middle and secondary schools...