SAUGERTIES, NY – Darragh Kenny first saw Alpha VDL at the VDL Sport Horse Auction in Florida two years ago, and instantly knew he wanted to ride the then 7-year- old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Kenny had to be patient however, until this past January, for his wish to come true. The pair was quick to find their way to the top, winning the $50,000 Grand Prix during Week V at HITS before topping the field in Darragh Kenny’s partnership with Alpha VDL may not have come as soon as he would have...

Mandy Porter and Lexito jump to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis (©Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, Calif - When Mandy Porter walked into the Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix Stadium on Friday, the crowd expected to see her in the tack of her usual stallion, Con Capilot. This time, however, she piloted a 16.3 hand grey gelding named Lexito for Marguerite McAfee of P2 Capital, LLC. Porter, who hails from Encinitas, California, catch rode for Lexito’s...

Kyle King and Quigley bested an impressive field on Sunday to win the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Thermal. They were one of three in the jump-off and used Quigley’s speed to earn the blue (Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, Calif. - Quigley may not have many grand prix miles behind him, but his rider Kyle King of Ocala, Florida is looking forward to the 10-year-old gelding stepping up to the level with a bang. He is certainly on the right track after winning...

Elizabeth Gingras and Floreen SFN jump to a win in the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI-W2* Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Thermal (©Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, Calif. - When the Canadian National Anthem played at the conclusion of Saturday’s $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI-W2* Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Thermal it was playing for more than just the winner, Elizabeth Gingras of Alberta. Gingras and the up-and-coming Bretton Chad, also of Alberta, went...

Ashlee Bond Clarke and Chela LS are sitting pretty moving into FEI World Cup qualifying at HITS Thermal. They won their second grand prix of the circuit on Thursday in the $33,500 HITS Desert Classic, presented by Zoetis (Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, C.A. - Ashlee Bond Clarke of Hidden Hills, California has had her eye on Chela LS for years. The big-bodied chestnut mare was the ride of Simon Nizri before Bond Clarke purchased Chela LS in July. It was then that she realized just how...

Ashlee Bond Clarke is piloting a new mount at HITS Thermal in 2014 and made an impressive debut at HITS Thermal on Friday. She and Chela LS topped a field of 42 to win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand prix, presented by Zoetis.(Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, Calif . - Ashlee Bond Clarke of Hidden Hills, California rode to an “icing on the cake” win aboard Little Valley Farms’ Chela LS today at HITS Thermal. The $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, was the first...

Kate Mullen & "Elnieta" win the HorseShow.com/CDS Dressage Seat Equitation Challenge on the first day of the CDS Championship Show (Jennifer M. Keeler) Rancho Murieta, CA - California is well-known as home to some of the best dressage horses and riders in the country, and many of those were on display as the first championship titles of the weekend were awarded today at the California Dressage Society (CDS) Annual Championship Show at the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA,...

Margie Engle and Indigo jump their way to a win in the $100,000 Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties (ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - Margie Engle of Wellington, Florida and Indigo, owned by Garber, Griese, Hidden Creek & Gladewinds share a storied career together, most recently highlighted by a win in Sunday’s $100,000 Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties. The duo topped 35 on their way to the blue, piecing together...

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl on their way to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties (ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - Quality Girl’s feet were lightning fast and her turns were tight as she carried Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, Friday at HITS Saugerties. Besting a field of 47, Minikus added another grand prix to a long list of top finishes with his own Quality Girl during...

McLain Ward and Love jumping their way to a win in the $50,000 Horze-Equestrian Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - Love conquered all this weekend at HITS Saugerties. McLain Ward and his new mount Love beat a star-studded crowd to pick up the top prize in the $50,000 Horze-Equestrian Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. After only two days in the country, Love – a nine-year-old Selle Francais import from France – arrived at...