The inaugural $50,000 CN Palm Beach Jumping Derby will be held Sunday, February 15 with some of the world's top riders racing around a 1,000-meter course that includes a Devil's Dyke and a newly created signature obstacle called the Palm Maze. Built on top of the world-famous grass Polo Field One at the original Palm Beach Polo Stadium—considered by many to be among the finest grass surfaces for horse sports anywhere in the world—the course offers 19 obstacles (23 efforts) over...

The admired stallion Hickstead, winner of Individual Gold and Team Silver medals at the 2008 Olympic Games under Canada’s Eric Lamaze, has been approved for breeding based on performance by the Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders Association (CWHBA), the American Holsteiner Horse Association (AHHA), and the KWPN of North America breed associations. In addition to his performance at the 2008 Olympic Games, Hickstead’s long list of accomplishments include winning the richest event in show jumping,...

Para-Equestrian Trainers’ Symposium This two-day workshop, held April 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and April 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. will educate dressage trainers and therapeutic riding instructors alike about para-equestrian dressage rider development, the classification system and rider eligibility, competitions, and resources, both regionally and nationally. Through the use of lecture, videos and demonstration riders, examples will be given of how to bring riders along in your own program from...

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby was recognized this weekend by the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation. The show received the Gold Medal Club Anniversary Award and was recognized for its contributions and support of the USET for the last 10 years. Each year the Derby raises money for the USET through VIP seating, special events or other festive fundraisers. “We are honored to receive this recognition,” said Mary Anne McPhail, Executive Director of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby. “Our...

Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the USEF is announcing the following date and location for the 2009 North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). The USEF has received Preliminary approval from the FEI and is awaiting final word from the FEI Bureau. As the competition season is getting into full swing, the USEF is providing the following information to so Juniors, Young Riders and their Chefs can plan accordingly. Pending this approval, the NAJYRC will be held at the...

Lexington, KY— The UPHA has initiated a new program designed to reward saddle seat equitation riders for their community service involvement and fundraising efforts for approved charitable organizations. Jim Taylor describes Ribbons of Service as “a shared-commitment program that encourages riders to show an American Saddlebred, Arabian (including Half-Arabians), Morgan or National Show Horse in saddle seat equitation competitions, and encourages donors to pledge funds for charity for each...

Press release provided by the American Hackney Horse Society Foundation. Lexington, KY— The American Hackney Horse Society Foundation’s (AHHSF) goal is to preserve the past, promote the future and improve the breed of the American Hackney. To help accomplish this goal, the AHHSF announces the 2009 Adult Amateur Driving Challenge to help promote the showing of five-year-old and older Hackney ponies by adult amateurs at the smaller shows in a designated area. There are 15 competitions...

The Syracuse Sporthorse Invitational featuring The National Horse Show held an informal meeting on January 28 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Club. The meeting, led by a panel made up of Leo Conroy, John Madden and Mason Phelps, was held as a forum to help the organizing committee gain information and feedback from the professionals concerning all aspects of the Syracuse/National Horse Show. The group, made up of mostly hunter riders and trainers, had an overall feeling that last...

Peter Wylde, 2004 Olympic Team Gold medalist for the USA, rode Esplanade 7 to his first grand prix win of the 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival on Thursday, January 29. The pair took the fourth leg of the $30,000 Braman Motorcars WEF Challenge Cup Series under lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Fifty-seven combinations started the class with 15 going clear to move to the jump-off. Six pairs posted clear rounds in a thrilling dash around the shortened course. Wylde, who...

Isabelle Leibler and her German Sport Pony, Going West, won the FEI Pony Individual class at the ESP Wellington Dressage Show recently, and the pair also rode away with special recognition from the American Shetland Pony Club (ASPC). Leibler, who trains with Lars Petersen, won the class with a score of 63.474%. Leibler, who just started in the FEI division, purchased her pony five years ago in Europe. Her mother, Rene Leibler, said she believes ponies are ideal for children in dressage. “On...