Molly Talla and Java Keltic Courage (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - The second week of Spring season competition at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano culminated in today's $40,000 Spring Classic I Grand Prix. Eighteen entries competed for the top prize in the showcase class, presented by The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, over a sweeping track designed by Brazil's Guilherme Jorge. After 15 years of course designing for Blenheim EquiSports, Jorge is an...

Dorothy Douglas & S&L Elite (Tricia Booker Photography) Houston, Texas. - Dorothy Douglas knew what she had to do. She went fourth in the first round, was the first to post a clear round and was the first to return in the six-horse jump-off during the $30,000 Walter Oil & Gas Grand Prix. "It feels like for those 42 seconds I actually knew what I was doing!" said Douglas, whose winning jump-off time couldn't be caught. The class was the featured event on March 28 during Week II...

Victoria Colvin and Vaillero (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) completed its final day of competition on Sunday with a win for Victoria Colvin riding Heritage Farm, Inc.'s Vaillero in the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Held on the beautiful grass field at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), the final feature saw a picture perfect day in Florida. The class was presented by Dietrich Insurance and hosted by...

The Fresno State equestrian team defeated Southern Methodist University on Saturday, 12-4, becoming the United Equestrian Conference champions. The No. 1-seeded Fresno State Bulldogs defeated the No. 2-seeded Mustangs, 12-4. In the hunt seat category, the teams tied, 4-4. "They were a really extremely tough competition," assistant coach Kimberly HewsonBudnik said. "They came out here, and we had to put in our best rides in order to beat them.." SMU had the upper hand in equitation over fences,...

James Alliston and Tivoli jump double-clear on cross country to win the CIC3* at Galway Down. (Captured Moment Photography) Temecula, Calif. - The hot and dry California temperatures did not stand in the way of competitors in the CIC3* Adequan USEA Gold Cup division at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. Event organizer Robert Kellerhouse and his crew spent countless hourswatering and dragging the cross-country courses to ensure the footing was safe and rideable for all competitors. Ian...

College Station, Texas - Top-seeded and second-ranked Georgia won the 2015 Southeastern Conference Equestrian Championship on Saturday at the Thomas G. Hildebrand Equine Complex at Texas A&M University. The Bulldogs defeated the host and third-seeded Aggies 12-5 in the championship round to take home Georgia’s first league crown since the SEC began sponsoring equestrian in advance of the 2012-13 season. UGA improves to 11-4 on the season, while Texas A&M drops to 8-6. “What...

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - McLain Ward (USA) and Double H Farm's HH Carlos Z won the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI 5* in front of a packed house at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) Saturday night to conclude International show jumping at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Forty of the circuit's best horses and riders representing 13 different countries jumped for the winter's top prize. Daniel Bluman (COL) and Conconcreto...

Laura Graves and Verdades (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, Fla. - The Stillpoint Farm CDIO3* at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival came to a close on Saturday afternoon with Laura Graves and Verdades claiming top honors in the Freestyle on a score of 80.175%. Originally scheduled for Friday evening but postponed due to weather, the Freestyle hosted 11 Small Tour combinations and a further four Big Tour competitors. Led by Graves, the U.S. secured six of the top 12 placings. In their final...

Jennie Petterson, chair of the equestrian studies division and western instructor at William Woods University Fulton, Mo. - The Western Club at William Woods University will host its semi-annual Fun Show April 4, starting at 9 a.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Nell Tekampe of Richmond, Illinois, will judge the show. Manager of Woodstock Ranch and owner of Nell Tekampe Performance Horses, she is a world champion trainer of all-around performance horses. The slate of classes will...

Lexington, Ky. - As the 2015 Eventing year progresses, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) would like to wish all our members a safe and enjoyable season. Both the USEA and the USEF are committed to the safety of horses and riders and have ongoing policies to further both. We are constantly researching new technologies in safety equipment, jump construction, and course quality. In recent years, the USEF and USEA have passed a rule...