Thermal, Calif. - Topping a field of 62 riders, Will Simpson once again took home a blue ribbon from the HITS Grand Prix Ring, winning Sunday’s $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix – his eighth Grand Prix victory this circuit – aboard The Dude, owned by Monarch International. Will Simpson and The Dude, owned by Monarch International, win the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix Sunday, February 22, at HITS Thermal (ESI Photography) Topping nine other horses that made it to the jump-off, and...

Sharn Wordley and Popstar Lozonais (Shannon Bower/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, Fla. - The seventh week of the Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour kicked off in its usual fashion-with blazing speeds and top tier competition. Conor Swail and Sharn Wordley faced off on the open turf field at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, each fighting a battle against the clock in an attempt to rise to the top of the ranks. Conor Swail (IRL) was the first rider of the day to post a clear round, riding...

Anne Kursinski and MTM Motto (Shannon Bowers/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, Fla. - Wednesday Anne Kursinski illustrated once again why she is one of the most successful show jumpers in the United States, claiming the top prize aboard Hay's Investment Corporation's MTM Motto in the first 1.30-1.35m jumper class at The Ridge at Wellington's Turf Tour. The weather started out a bit less than ideal Wednesday morning, but that didn't stop several of Wellington's top competitors...

Michael Murphy and Prem' Dollar Boy win the first 1.30-1.35m Jumpers (Shannon Bower/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, Fla. - The Ridge at Wellington's Turf Tour returned to the pristine polo fields of the International Polo Club (IPC) Palm Beach for another day of ideal weather, unparalleled footing and challenging competition. Michael Murphy, the leader of the first 1.30m-1.35m Jumper Class was spotted anxiously perched on the edge of his seat as the last horse of the day attempted Nick...

Mia Farley and Fleeceworks Cinco (Kimberly Steinbuch) Lexington, Ky. – Participants selected for the 2015 Eventing 25 and Eventing 18 Programs prepared for the competition season by beginning the year with training sessions with USEF Eventing Developing Rider Coach Leslie Law. Making his debut in his new position, Law taught his first sessions at Tucalota Creek Ranch in Temecula, Calif., on January 11-15 for riders from the West Coast in both programs. Next heading to Meredyth South in...

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z (SportFot) Wellington, Fla. - Week four of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Fidelity Investments®, concluded on Sunday with the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50M Championship Jumper Classic featured in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The class saw a win for McLain Ward (USA) and Double H Farm's HH Carlos Z in a very fast 20-horse jump-off over Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl. They were followed...

Boyd Martin and Trading Aces (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, Fla. - Boyd Martin (USA) and Trading Aces bested the competition in the first phase of the Wellington Eventing Showcase presented by Asheville Regional Airport, which was held at The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Martin and Trading Aces performed a lovely dressage test to the take the lead on a 24.80 as the second-to-last ride of the afternoon. Michael Pollard (USA) and Cyrano currently hold onto second place...

Lars Petersen and Mariett (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, Fla. - For the second time early in the 2015 season, Lars Petersen (DEN) and Mariett, a 1998 Danish Warmblood mare, rose to the top of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) "Friday Night Stars" FEI Grand Prix Freestyle class presented this week by US P.R.E. Association. The duo scored a 75.325% to take the class, with Shelly Francis (USA) placing second on a 74.500% aboard Doktor, and fellow Danish rider Mikala Gundersen (DEN)...

Eric Lamaze and Fine Lady 5 (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) is now three for three in the Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Held each Thursday throughout the 12 weeks of WEF competition, Lamaze won the first two classes aboard Rosana du Park and scored his third victory in Thursday's $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 riding Fine Lady 5. He rides both horses for Artisan Farms LLC....

Lexington, Ky. – One of the mostly widely viewed equestrian performances of the 2014 competition year, clinician and entertainer Dan James of Double Dan Horsemanship stole the attention of the horse community with his powerful and imaginative program at the 2014 World Championship Freestyle Reining, taking home a World Champion title, and the People’s Choice Award. Since then, more than 300,000 people have watched the video of his incredible performance online at USEFNetwork.com and...