Lexington, Ky. - The US Hunter Pony Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans came to a close on Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park. Medium Regular Hunter Ponies went to task in the Walnut Arena in their Over Fences phase to determine the 2016 Champion. Natalie Jayne and Woodlands Stevie Ray emerged victorious on Saturday afternoon, but it was Wednesday’s Large Regular Hunter Pony champion, Storyteller, that proved unbeatable as he was named the Grand Champion Hunter Pony of the 2016...

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Cross-country, the heart of eventing competition, proved to be demanding for the 64 athlete-and-horse combinations who contested Pierre Michelet's technical course at the Olympic Equestrian Center at Deodoro on Monday. Only three entries finished double-clear, and only 26 crossed the finish without jumping penalties. U.S. veterans Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin rode brilliantly and stand fifth and sixth,...

Boyd Martin and Blackfoot Mystery (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The eventing horse inspection officially kicked off equestrian competition at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday. Over the next 14 days, 204 athlete-and-horse combinations in the three equestrian disciplines of eventing, dressage, and show jumping will compete for coveted Team and Individual medals at Rio’s Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Center. The U.S. Olympic Eventing Team of Phillip...

Maryann Charles and FVF Sailor Man on their way to a $30,000 HITS Grand Prix win. (ESI Photography) Culpeper, Va. - As the third week of competition at HITS Culpeper came to an end, riders descended on the Grand Prix ring at HITS Commonwealth Park to vie for a victory in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix. Maryann Charles of Southern Pines, North Carolina, and FVF Sailor Man, owned by Fox View Farm, have been knocking on the door all season at HITS Culpeper. They have brought home two third-place...

Harold Chopping and Basje on their way to $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix win. (ESI Photography) Culpeper, Va. - Riders and horses turned out for Friday’s $25,000 Brook Ledge Grand Prix as a weekend of excitement kicked off at the Cavalier Classic, the third week of HITS Culpeper. Coming home with the victory was Southern Pines, North Carolina equestrian Harold Chopping aboard Basje, owned by Kendra Bullington. This win makes Chopping and Basje’s third blue ribbon in the Grand Prix...

Stellenbosch, South Africa - The U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team traveled to South Africa to compete in the 2016 International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup at the Mistico Equestrian Centre, July 7-9. The twelve U.S. athletes delivered excellent performances against teams from Canada, Namibia, and South Africa. Under the guidance of coaches David Cater (Dunbarton, N.H.), Pam Roush (Lutz, Fla.), and Kent Swalla (Columbia, Mo.), the Three-Gaited section won Gold and the coveted Three-Gaited...

The Land Rover Great Meadow International, Presented by Adequan Awards Ceremony (www.22gates.com) The Plains, Va. - The United States Nations Cup team made history capturing the inaugural FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing competition in North America at the Land Rover Great Meadow International (GMI) presented by Adequan®. Leading from start to finish, the team of Phillip Dutton, Lauren Kieffer, Boyd Martin, and Clark Montgomery won with an overall score of 138.3 penalties. The team from...

Stormy skies did nothing to dampen the spirits of pony enthusiasts as intense championship competition got underway Friday at the popular National Dressage Pony Cup, being held July 8-10, 2016 in Lexington, Ky. Competitors representing 23 different states from Maine to Texas competed in the first of two rounds of classes in pursuit of a stunning array of NDPC awards in Open, Adult Amateur, and Junior/Young Rider divisions, and showed off their pony power at all levels of competition from...

The Canadian Team in the Opening Ceremony Led by a Member of the Casanova-Warrenton Pony Club (www.22gates.com) The Plains, Va. - History was made on Friday as the Land Rover Great Meadow International, presented by Adequan® officially began with a poignant opening ceremony kick-starting the first-ever North American FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ . Athletes from five nations paraded in the Fleming Arena showcasing the teams and individual competitors who will participate in the historic...

Stellenbosch, South Africa - Excitement is building for the 2016 International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup getting underway this week in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Under the guidance of coaches Kent Swalla (Columbia, Mo.), David Cater (Dunbarton, N.H.) and Pam Roush (Lutz, Fla.), the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team will compete against teams from Canada, Namibia, and South Africa for the coveted Three- and Five-Gaited World Cup trophies. Team practices began Monday, July 4 and will...