Cian O'Connor and Walk Tall II (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Week seven of the 2013 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival continued on Saturday afternoon with the $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic featured on the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC. Richard Jeffery, of Bournemouth, England, is the course designer on the derby field for the week. On Saturday afternoon, Jeffery set the track for 31 entries in the $25,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Only three...

The winning women's team (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Over 3,500 fans packed the stands at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on the opening Saturday night to watch the women beat the men for the fifth year in a row in the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) in Wellington. It was the closest race yet in the three-phase competition between the male and female teams, but the ladies pulled out another victory in the...

What is the equestrian demographic in North America? Surveys reveal it consists of women who, after a career, raising children, or both, have either returned to riding or are pursuing it as a life long dream. I fall into this demographic, having returned after both a career and children, and once again after major surgery. But where do we go to find training, a supportive community and a purpose in this endeavor? After much exploration, I was lucky enough to find Western Dressage through the...

Elizabeth Boyd and Casallo go double blue for first day of the Regular Conformation Hunter division at the Alltech National Horse Show, 129th Edition. Lexington, KY - The historic Alltech National Horse Show got underway today at the Alltech Arena, part of the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Today, the professional hunter divisions took center stage as they began competing for top honors during their over fences and handy classes. Elizabeth Boyd had winning rounds aboard...

Meg O'Mara and Vancouver Jacksonville, FL - The highly-anticipated third and final day of the first Southeast Medal Finals featured the ASPCA Mclay Region Three Finals. A group of 37 skilled riders determined to master Alan Rheinheimer's course competed for today's top prize. Traveling away from the in gate, the course opened with a bold oxer to oxer line. The track turned to the left and over a vertical on the far short end of the arena. From here the riders were asked to rollback to...

Los Angeles, CA - The 2012 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West kicked off at the Los Angeles International Jumping Festival at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on September 20. The final consists of four phases: flat, gymnastics, jumping, and a work off. On Thursday, the thirty-three finalists competed in Phase 1 and were split into groups of five to six riders to compete on the flat. Riders were asked to demonstrate the usual flat movements, such as the counter...

USA Team 2012 (Left to Right, top to bottom) Chef d'Equipe Missy Ransehousen, Jon Wentz, Rebecca Hart, Dale Dedrick and Donna Ponessa (Lindsay Yosay McCall) London, England - "It has been exciting to compete at the home of Para-Dressage," was the phrase echoed among athletes at the 2012 Paralympic Equestrian Games. It was Great Britain that developed Para-Dressage from the grass roots first and created an entire Para-Equestrian culture. It was Great Britain who aligned with their able-bodied...

Grade 1b rider Jonathan Wentz talks about his Team Test Thursday afternoon; Jonathan Wentz (Richardson, TX) and Kai Handt's NTEC Richter Scale scored 70.364. Here are Jonathan's thoughts; On his test : “It was super; the accuracy was astounding. Richter was moving really forward; he loves this cold weather and rain. It’s good conditions for him. The walk tour was great and we will look to improve on that.” On his favorite part of the test: “The halts. Richter has...

Melissa Orlick-Zbierski and Viekie (Flashpoint Photography) Zionsville, IN - The festivities and competition continued Sunday at the 2012 Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair. Perfect shirt-sleeve weather brought spectators in droves. The show celebrated Kids Day and welcomed them by the van-load to take pony rides, and enjoy face painting and games in a very active Kids' Area at Wild Air Farms in Zionsville, IN. Mid-morning the spectators were treated to an exciting show...

The Kentucky Horse Park Welcomes Pint-sized Mounts to a Fierce Competition Tomorrow begins the Green Pony Hunters Over Fences, Medium Ponies Compete in the Under Saddle Phase Lexington, KY – August 7, 2012 – The Walnut Ring was alive with families and friends supporting young competitors and their pony mounts, as the 2012 US Pony Finals and the US Hunter Pony Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans got underway with its first day at the Kentucky Horse Park. Today, the top...