The FEI Dressage Task Force met in Lausanne, Switzerland, April 21-22. The Task Force discussed the following items: Olympic Games: competition formula and qualification process. A proposal will be included in the Task Force’s final report to be presented to the FEI Bureau in November. Dressage Committee: future composition. A proposal in line with the FEI Statutes is currently being prepared in cooperation with the FEI Nominations Committee. The Secretary General briefed the task force on the...

Canada’s Olympians had a rough go of it in the $50,000 Weston Canadian Open for International Jumpers at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show on November 14th. Americans McLain Ward and Laura Kraut, hot off their Team Gold at the Olympics, took first and third respectively, with Britain’s Michael Whitaker narrowly edging into the second position. Ward, with his 16-year-old veteran campaigner Goldika 559, executed the course in style, taking almost the identical route that teammate Kraut had taken 15...

History repeated itself as Kent Farrington and Upchiqui won the $75,000 Budweiser Prix de Penn National for the second time on closing night of the 2008 Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Suspense is the essence of competition. Farrington faced 28 very tough competitors to repeat this win. The seventh of 10 clean trips in the first round, Farrington knew speed would be a prime factor in the jump-off. “Upchiqui is an exceptionally fast horse,” said Farrington, 20. “ He’s a great horse. He covers...

Laura Linback and Whittaker MVNZ on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer (ESI Photography). Culpeper, VA --- Laura Linback of Mundelin, IL, and Woodrun's Whittaker MVNZ, whom they call "Fred" in the barn, had an amazing week at HITS Culpeper. Last Friday, they captured the win in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix and successfully followed up with a big win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida was...

Lexington, KY - Every horse show exhibitor has a competition they most look forward to each year. For some exhibitors, the anticipation is due to outstanding facilities, while for others it’s management going far beyond the call of duty to make the show a memorable and fun experience for all involved. Still others say it’s the excellent competition that draws them to a particular show. Whatever the case may be, there is no doubt about it - there are some shows that rise above the...

The festival atmosphere started early as tailgaters prepared to welcome their expected guests. Tents were raised, tables set with colorful clothes topped with trays and baskets of food, coolers were filled with ice and beverages to keep everyone hydrated and happy during the warm day. With thousands of spectators expected, many arrived early to ensure a seat with a good view of the 80 some competitors who would fly though the obstacles. Volunteers took their places to wait patiently for the...

Nadine Buberl and Wellington Sandro Star. (Photo courtesy of Tuania and Dave Reed.) Wellington, FL – Nadine Buberl, who rides and trains at Cesar Parra’s Piaffe-Performance Farm, rode into the winner’s circle at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI as the high score winner. Buberl’s high score, aboard Wellington Sandro Star, helped her take home the Everglades Dressage High Score Award at the show, sponsored by Everglades Dressage and Bethany Peslar. “Wellington Sandro Star is a...

During the off-season, with the help of a few professional horsemen and women, the Mid Atlantic Morgan Horse Show Committee revamped the show’s class schedule. In doing so, many classes were added, so this year, the show now starts at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23. Added classes include a saddle class in all of the Youth divisions: classic, English pleasure, hunter, park, and Western. There is now a Saddle Seat Equitation qualifier for the 13 & under and 14-17 age groups. Also added were junior...

San Juan Capistrano - April 19, 2010 - Turnout for the third and final week of the Blenheim Spring horse show series was again fabulous. Spectators and exhibitors alike enjoyed watching both the $10,000 The Chronicle of the Horse /USHJA International Hunter Derby on Friday afternoon and the $35,000 Blenheim Spring Classic III Grand Prix late Saturday afternoon. The Derby festivities, including wine and cheese during the final round and a post-Derby party with guest DJ John Huntington of A&E’s...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces a new contest for 2009 designed to let USEF members vote for their “Favorite USEF Breed Competition.” The idea behind this contest is to award and promote the USEF licensed breed competitions for their efforts in running a show so well that exhibitors want to call it their favorite. Also, this contest gives exhibitors the opportunity to provide positive feedback about the competitions to the USEF. “When we created this...