Well fall is under way and I am trying to clear a little writer’s block. The last shows of the year are winding down. We are headed for the last ones in our area the last two weekends of the month. Fall is time to evaluate progress and prepare for next season. Some of us set goals for training, some for clinics, some for next year’s show season. We look at our feeding programs, exercise programs, breeding programs and whatever else we are running. I always find myself thinking ahead...

Lillie Keenan and Clearway jump their way to the top of the USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Cup (ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY – Lillie Keenan of New York, New York and Clearway, owned by Heritage Farm, Inc. were the ones to shine during day two of the U.S. Junior Hunter National Championship – East Coast at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. The pair topped a field of 65 to win the prestigious USHJA / Essex Classics Hunterdon Equitation Cup. Keenan led the first round...

Lexington, KY - Riders4Helmets.com has teamed up with leading helmet manufacturers to host International Helmet Awareness Day 2013 on Saturday June 22nd. Building on the success of International Helmet Awareness Day 2012, participating retailers all over the world will be offering discounts on helmets to equestrians on this day. "We are absolutely delighted at the growth of the event since it was first held as a US based National event in 2010," said Lyndsey White, Riders4Helmets. "To be in our...

The NCEA regular season is almost over. There’s not a lot going on this weekend, but the one major conference matchup is a good one. No.3 Oklahoma State University vs. No.8 Kansas State University This marquee matchup of Big 12 rivals is a fitting way to close out the conference’s season, and get a glimpse of what’s to come in the Big 12 championship and the NCEA Championship. Oklahoma State is the higher ranked team, and the favorite here, and a win for the Cowgirls would...

Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...

(Tammy Hardy Photography) Gloucester, MA - New England's most prestigious international equestrian show jumping event, The Jumper Classic®, Presented by Audi of America, returns to its roots this summer. This five-day show will be held once again on Boston's North Shore, at the 100acre estate known as Maplecroft Farm in Ipswich, Massachusetts from July 10-14, 2013. Established in 1989 in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, the event was held on the North Shore in both South Hamilton and...

Samba and Jessica Ungerer (Anne Gittins Photography) Samba and Jessica Ungerer were awarded championship honors for the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunter division during week three of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Ungerer and her eight-year-old German Warmblood gelding are trained by Robert Bielefield and Jeff Ayres. The pair won both over fences classes during day one of competition for the division and were second and fourth over fences before winning the under saddle...

Todd Flettrich and Danseur Wellington, FL - The field for World Dressage Masters (WDM) CDI5* Palm Beach is almost set, and it is full of top dressage riders from around the globe. Thursday's Wellington Classic Dressage Sunshine Challenge Grand Prix CDI3* represents the last opportunity to join the field: 13 horses will vie for the remaining two spots. But after Wednesday's jog for the CDI3*, one of those 13 may have already lost his chance. Hopeful competitors presented the horses...

Garfield and Alexandra Crown. (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Garfield and Alexandra Crown jumped their way to championship honors in the Antares Large Junior Hunters 16-17 division during week two of competition at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Crown, of New York City, and her eleven-year-old Holsteiner gelding nearly swept the division after winning all four over fences classes. The pair placed fourth in a competitive under saddle class on day two of...

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet (Hannah Bennett/USEA Photo) Fairburn, GA - The Merial Advanced division at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Bit of Britain wrapped up today with the show jumping phase at Chattahoochee Hills. Mark Donovan's tough course had riders incurring numerous jump and time penalties with just five double clear rounds in the division. Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) and Courageous Comet had one rail down but held onto their lead to win the...