Hickstead, United Kingdom - The U.S. produced determined performances in Grand Prix competition on Thursday at CDIO3* Hickstead. Brian Hafner and Susie Dutta, who make up half of the American Nations Cup effort, currently stand second and ninth, respectively, after the first of two days of Grand Prix competition. Hafner (Penngrove, Calif.) and his own and Rebecca Hafner’s 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding, Lombardo LHF, scored 68.800% from the Ground Jury of Karin Kruger, Wojtek Markowski,...

The U.S. Team for Hickstead (USEF Archive) Hickstead, United Kingdom - The U.S. sends a promising group into this week’s FEI Nations Cup at CDIO3* Hickstead, running July 31-August 3. The team of Katherine Bateson-Chandler, Susie Dutta, Brian Hafner, and Lisa Wilcox, led by Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald, have drawn third in the order of five international teams. Nations Cup competition kicks off Thursday with the first day of Grand Prix competition, and continues Friday with the...

Adrienne Lyle & Wizard (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Aachen, Germany - Adrienne Lyle and Laura Graves closed out a strong American effort in dressage competition at CHIO Aachen by tying for 10th in Sunday’s CDIO5* Deutsche Bank Prize. The two members of the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team both score 76.900%. Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Peggy Thomas’ 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Wizard, earned high marks for their music and interpretation...

The Woodside Vaulters (Dirk Caremans/Hippo Foto/Shannon Brinkman Photo) Aachen, Germany - The U.S. vaulters had a wonderful showing in the CVIO3*, part of the CHIO Aachen that took place July 11-13. Performing well in the Albert-Vahle-Arena in Aachen, Germany, the U.S. contingent had excellent rounds in the Squad and Pas de Deux competitions as well as respectable showings in the Individual divisions. In the CVIO competition, the U.S. came home with third-place honors. The Woodside Vaulters...

The Bronze medal-winning U.S. Team (Marie de Ronde-Oudemans) Sandringham, England- The United States closed out a successful weekend at The Royal Estate in Sandringham, England on Sunday by capturing Team Bronze at the 2014 FEI Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles and adding Individual Silver to their medal haul. The team of Bob Giles, Virginia “Boo” Fitch, and Diane Kastama kicked off competition on Friday by driving into third place in the dressage and holding their...

Gladstone, N.J. - The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp came to an exciting conclusion on the fourth and final day of competition as Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, and Pony Rider Champions were all crowned. In the Grand Prix championship, Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 clinched their third consecutive National Title with their best performance of the week. For the third consecutive test, the top placings remained the same as Peters scored Champion and Reserve honors...

Luhmuhlen, Germany - Clear rounds were at a premium on Sunday in the final phase of the Luhmuhlen CCI4* over Heiko Wahlers’ 13-obstacle track. Of the 31 combinations that went forward into the show jumping, only three competitors were able to jump faultlessly. Leading the way for the American contingent were Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Boyd Martin and Shamwari, 4 who continued their Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 (Shannon Brinkman) climb up the leaderboard, finishing the...

L Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 (Shannon Brinkman Photo) uhmuhlen, Germany – The riders representing the U.S. rose to the occasion on Saturday tackling Captain Mark Phillips’ 6,500m 29-fence cross country course with ease. Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 looked like a true partnership, adding no time penalties to their dressage score of 47.80 to move up to seventh place. Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Shamwari 4 Syndicate LLC's 12-year-old...

Gladstone, N.J. - The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp got underway on Thursday under gloomy, drizzly skies in the USET Foundation Headquarters’ Dick and Jane Brown Arena. Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 began their quest for a third consecutive Grand Prix National Title with a win in the Grand Prix. Additionally, Peters kicked off the day claiming the top two spot in the first test of The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. Katrin...

North Salem, N.Y. – The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows came to a successful conclusion with their highlight event, the $100,000 Empire State Grand Prix, presented by The Kincade Group, Merrill Lynch. McLain Ward rode to first and second place with HH Cannavaro and HH Carlos Z, both owned by Double H Farm, over a prestigious field of horses and riders. After two weeks of top finishes, Darragh Kenny won the $20,000 Leading Jumper Rider Award, presented by Houlihan Lawrence. Today's...