Beginning in 1995 as part of the Volvo World Cup Finals, the Festival of the Horse (March 30–April 2) has become one of the largest dressage shows in Southern California. Cornerstone Event Management strives to combine top competition with special activities surrounding the show. “The sponsors play a large part on the success of the Festival,” said Glenda McElroy, Festival manager. “We try to find a niche for all our sponsors; Markel Insurance, a longtime partner, sponsors the high-point...

The Kentucky Cup Jumping Test Event will feature some of the biggest stars in the sport. The test event, to be held April 19-22 in conjunction with the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event, is in preparation for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). The 2010 WEG will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park September 25-October 10, marking the first time that equestrian sport's biggest event is being held outside Europe. Beezie Madden heads the list of entries to test the show jumping venue...

It was with speed and grace that Jeffery Welles was able to capture Saturday night's victory with his top mount, Armani, during a three-horse jump-off. The pair raced through the finish line in 44.36 seconds after completing a clear short course during the 2010 $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational presented by G & C Farm at Raymond James Stadium. Peter Leone tried to catch his time with Select, who also left all the rails intact, but the duo's time of 44.87 seconds would fall just short...

Joe Yoder Wins at the Southern Pines CDE (Cazzy Smith) Dressage Competition took place on the West coast at the Golden State Dressage Festival CDI3*/Y/J. Mette Rosencrantz and Finally took home wins in the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I. For more information please visit Golden State Dressage Festival . Driving Under blue skies at the Carolina Horse Park the fifth selection trials for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games took place as part of the Southern Pines CDE. In the Four-In-Hand...

The 2009/2010 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which kicks off with preliminary classes at the Palexpo Arena in Geneva tomorrow (Wednesday), has been blown wide open by the late withdrawal of Ireland's Jessica Kuerten. When three-times champion Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who gave birth to her first baby just six weeks ago, confirmed last week that she will not defend the title, then Kuerten's position as long-time favorite was further strengthened. But the Irish rider who topped...

Photo Courtesy American Vaulting Association (Patti Skipton of Warm Beach Vaulters received the AVA's Trainer for the Year Award for 2009.) At their recent Annual Convention, the American Vaulting Association (AVA) presented Lifetime Achievement Awards, the highest award of the AVA, to Jeffrey Ashton Moore and Jan F. Garrod, whose efforts over the past 40 years have been instrumental to the recognition, growth and continued high standards of the sport of equestrian vaulting. At the same event,...

The USEF Eventing Owners' High Performance Task Force and the Professional Riders Organization will hold an Open Owner’s Forum on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 5:30 PM. All interested parties are invited to attend and learn about ownership options in the sport. The Farmhouse, located at the Kentucky Horse Park on Nina Bonnie Boulevard and Cigar Lane, will once again host the forum. Featured speakers include: Phillip Dutton, Samantha Lendl, Mark Hart and David O’Connor. Topics will cover various...

Fifth Third Bank has joined the sponsorship ranks of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as both the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Experience and the Official Community Bank of the Games. Fifth Third Bank, as presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Experience, is supporting the showcase of the state’s tourism destinations to hundreds of thousands of Games visitors. The Kentucky Experience will be a series of spectacular pavilions encompassing over 25,000-plus square feet in the heart...

McLain Ward and Sapphire Look to go One Better in 2010 (Shannon Brinkman/ USEF Archives) Lexington, KY - With 10 riders representing the United States at the 2010 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final (April 15-18), the American assault on Geneva looks very strong. Led by 2009 runner-up McLain Ward and his legendary Sapphire, the 34-year-old will look to go one better in Switzerland than they did in Las Vegas one year ago. Fortunately, they won't have the fleet-footed Shutterfly to chase as the defending...

Photo by JumpShot Photography (Susan Hutchison and El Dorado 29’s Cantano) With wonderful weather and a superb turnout, the second week of the Blenheim Spring Classic series ended Sunday. The $35,000 Blenheim Spring Classic II Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon hosted not only a hill full of spectators but also 25 entrants representing five countries. Showing over a challenging course set by Brazil’s Guilherme Jorge, only one jumped clean. For the ninth time in their partnership, Susan Hutchison...