Boyd Martin and Master Frisky (Shannon Brinkman) Elkton, Md. - The first phase of competition came to a conclusion on Friday as the final 45 combinations in CCI3* competition completed their dressage tests, while the second half of the CCI2* field headed down centerline. Boyd Martin and Master Frisky will head out on the cross country in the pole position of the three-star, and in the two-star no one was able to catch Thursday’s leader Matt Brown. Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Stephen...

Jason Berry guides Upswing to success in the Hunter ring (ESI Photography) Culpeper, Va. - Earlier this year, Upswing was imported as a dressage prospect at three-day eventer Phillip Dutton’s barn. Quickly proving that piaffes and passage weren't his calling, Upswing left them in the dust for an over-fences career. Pamela Deslauriers purchased the eight-year old Mechkenburg gelding and handed the reins to Jason Berry (Verona, Virginia) less than three months ago. “He has come...

Becky Holder and Can't Fire Me (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Tyler, Texas – The 2014 USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship got underway Thursday afternoon at the Texas Rose Horse Park with 12 horse-and-rider combinations performing their dressage tests. Becky Holder and her veteran, Can’t Fire Me, seized the early lead with a near flawless performance in the championship being held in conjunction with the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing...

Lexington, Ky. - The final day at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials at Burghley House, Stamford in Lincolnshire, England, wrapped up the event on Sunday with the show jumping phase of competition. Just Marilyn Little and RF Demeter (Libby Law Photography) two Americans were left in the competition, as Hannah Sue Burnett withdrew Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot due to concern over a minor injury. In consultation with the Team Veterinarian and Chef d'Equipe, it was decided that it was...

L exington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and United States Eventing Association (USEA) are pleased to announce the nine athletes that have been accepted into the 2015 Eventing 18 Program. In order to be considered for the 2015 Eventing 18 Program all individuals interested in participating in the program needed to submit an application. The 2015 Eventing 18 Program athletes are: Woods Baughman - Lexington, Ky. Nicole Doolittle - Reddick, Fla. Mia Farley - San Clemente,...

Christina Serio and Outsider on their way to a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix win at HITS Culpeper (ESI Photography) Culpeper, Va. - Growing up under the tutelage of her mother Louise Warner Serio at Derbydown Farm, Chrissy Serio knows that while ribbons and prize money may be the end goal, consistency is the silver lining. “My mother always taught me to try and maintain solid rounds. That is exactly what Outsider had today,” said Serio after her $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter...

This article originally published at www.useventing.com . Emily Beshear and Shame on the Moon (Shannon Brinkman photo) Emily Beshear rose to the occasion today and produced one of only five double clear show jumping rounds in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Division at the Richland Park CIC***. Beshear and Deep Purple Eventing’s Shame on the Moon now stand at the top of the leaderboard with a 44.7 heading into tomorrow’s cross-country phase. “I was thrilled with her. [Show Jumping]...

This article was originally published at www.useventing.com . Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch take the top prize for the second year in a row (Brant Gamma photo). Laine Ashker downplayed her chances of a winning the Advanced at Millbrook Horse Trials for the second year in a row all weekend, but she and Anthony Patch remained cool under pressure and rode a beautiful show jump round to defend her title in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series. With less then two points separating Ashker from...

This article originally published at www.USEventing.com . Laine Ashker & Anthony Patch Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch are sitting comfortably atop the Advanced division leaderboard at the Millbrook Horse Trials (Millbrook, N.Y.) in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series. It's not an unfamiliar position for them, as they won the Advanced division here in 2013. The track suits “Al” and Ashker knows how to bring out the best in her longtime partner, an off-the-track...

The Bronze medal-winning U.S. Team (Marie de Ronde-Oudemans) Sandringham, England- The United States closed out a successful weekend at The Royal Estate in Sandringham, England on Sunday by capturing Team Bronze at the 2014 FEI Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles and adding Individual Silver to their medal haul. The team of Bob Giles, Virginia “Boo” Fitch, and Diane Kastama kicked off competition on Friday by driving into third place in the dressage and holding their...