Kristin Smith & Ophelia (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, Mich. - Kristin Smith's plan was pretty straightforward said trainer Tammy Provost: "To take no prisoners." With 20 of the 35 starters qualifying for the jump-off in the $10,000 North Face Farm Children's/Adult Jumper Prix on July 27, there was no doubt the winner would need to chart a course that combined speed with precision and careful jumping. Designer Scott Starnes' challenging tie-breaker included a daring...

The Plains, Va. - A successful weekend at the Preparation Event for the Squad and Alternates for Squad for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games wrapped up Sunday morning with 11 U.S. combinations completing David O’Connor’s cross country. Crowds of 3,500 people came from throughout the United States to watch many of the best combinations in North America compete at the renovated Great Meadow on a beautiful Virginia weekend. Phillip Dutton...

Anna Cardelfe and Dollar Van't Eigenlo DH (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Rising talent took center stage today at the Kentucky Horse Park as the High Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers competed in the Rolex Stadium during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Anna Cardelfe proved that a new partnership can be just as successful as a veteran pairing when she won the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers aboard Dollar Van't Eigenlo DH. Meanwhile in the High Junior Jumpers, it was Meredith...

Reid Patton and Sincere (E.Riden/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - - After an extremely successful junior career, Reid Patton has found continued success - and a more relaxed atmosphere - in a new division: the Amateur-Owner 18-35 3'3" Hunters. She dominated the division Friday at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, sweeping the over fences classes and finishing second under saddle with her own Sincere. "The transition to the amateurs has actually been great," Patton said. "The juniors were...

Brianne Goutal (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Chantilly, France. - The penultimate speed class before the Longines Global Champions Tour of Chantilly, the Prix Equidia Life, was won by a thrilled Brianne Goutal (USA) and Zernike K, who sped to victory in a lightning time of 59.77s. Second went to home rider Simon Delestre (FRA) with Whisper who finished over 2s slower than the winner, but still received rapturous applause from his home crowd. Third place went to Shane Breen (IRE) and Calido Boy who...

McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets fly to a win (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - When McLain Ward climbed down from the tack of Dulien Van De Smeets after winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis, he didn’t look for congratulations, but marched straight to the mare’s owner, his godmother. Susie Heller stood clutching a winner’s trophy and was scooped up by Ward’s embrace. Every win is special, but this was divinely special. This week marked the...

Traverse, Mich. - Redemption was the name of the game during the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Walgreens, the featured hunter class on July 25 during Horse Shows by the Bay Series IV. Molly Ashe and Kennzo had returned to the Traverse City show this year as the defending champions in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, held during Series III. An unfortunate rail in the Classic Hunter Round, however, cut short their time in the show...

Ashton Alexander & Cafe de Colombia (Captured Moments Photography) Lexington, Ky. – The best junior riders attended the 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championship West Coast July 21-22 in hopes of being crowned the Overall Grand Champion. Over two days of tough competition at the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, Calif., riders competed in three phases: Classic Round, Under Saddle, and Handy Hunter. The Under Saddle phase counts for 20% of the rider's overall score, while both the...

Lisa Goldman & Morocco (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, Mich. - Lisa Goldman is now two-for-two in the featured jumper classes so far during Horse Shows by the Bay Series IV, July 23-27. After taking the blue ribbon yesterday with Centurion B in the $2,500 1.40m Open Jumper Speed class, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone, she returned today with Morocco for the top check in the $10,000 Positive Step Farm Welcome Prix. With 11 of the 23 competitors jumping first-round...

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Pablo Barrios will soon be crowned king of the Kentucky Horse Park, and Zara Leandra will be his queen. Tonight, the dynamic duo notched yet another $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic victory. The Venezuelan native won both of the events during the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows, and that was following his domination of the series in 2013. It appears to be a repeat year, as Barrios grabs a firmer hold on the 2014...