A strong international field descends on the stylish French seaside town of Deauville, France, this week to contest the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final in what should be the most competitive finale yet. It all starts on September 18 with the first horse inspection. The 2008 FEI World Cup™ eventing standings leader Kevin McNab of Australia, will be making his first competitive visit to Europe, and has earned the right to pole position, while the Australian challenge is completed...

On November 13-16, 2008, the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) will sponsor a breed booth at the East Coast Equine Affaire event, being held at the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, MA. Equine Affaire, the nation's premiere national equine exposition and equestrian gathering, organizes four days of clinics, seminars, demonstrations and exhibits, with an expected attendance of tens of thousands of horse people. "The ASHA booth will feature the versatility of the...

More changes are being announced for the 2009 HITS Desert Circuit, including a new entry policy. The HITS Desert Circuit will run from January 20 to March 22 with eight weeks of competition at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. After meeting with the Thermal Advisory Committee, which consists of riders, trainers and owners who compete at the HITS Desert Circuit, one consistent theme raised by the members was the challenge that trainers and exhibitors face when attempting to enter their...

The theme for the Dressage at Devon Preview Party was "Be Part of the Magic," and a magical evening it was. The affair took place in the lovely gardens of Jane MacElree’s historic Fairy Hill estate in Newtown Square, PA. The weather was perfect, the flowers were blooming in a riot of color, and guests were treated to a stellar musical freestyle by Chris Hickey on Bugatti Hilltop. Approximately 150 supporters of Dressage at Devon were on the guest list. To boogie woogie music that was...

The athletes of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games may be resting, but the games and glory continue on Universal Sports. Ensuring the Olympic torch remains lit, Universal Sports Network is providing an exclusive encore presentation of the Olympic Games. The Beijing Olympic Games encore on Universal Sports will showcase the following sports and events: gymnastics, beach volleyball, equestrian, track and field, marathon, triathlon, rowing, swimming, volleyball, water polo, basketball, soccer,...

The Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE) and the Italian Reining Horse Association (IRHA) are proud to welcome the world’s best horse-and-rider combinations to Manerbio, Italy. The Palasturla facility is home to the FEI World Reining Championship that is about to take place for the very first time. The $70,000 team competition will be held on Friday, September 12, at 2 p.m., following the opening ceremony, where 16 nations from five continents will be represented. The best 20...

Rebecca Hart (John Stevenson) By Joanie Morris Hong Kong, China – The venue was lively today as the freestyles got underway in the main arena at Sha Tin. All kinds of music were showcased in two sessions. Two US riders went to task in the morning sessions on the penultimate day of competition at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Equestrian. In the Grade II Individual Freestyle, Rebecca Hart (Erie, PA) finally had the performance she knew she was capable with Norteassa at these Games. The...

The 42nd Annual U.S. National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (U.S. Nationals) makes its debut in Tulsa, OK, at Expo Square on October 17-25, 2008. The move comes after years of the show alternating venues between Albuquerque, NM, and Louisville, KY. This year is the first of a three-year contract with the city of Tulsa that was four years in the making. Expo Square staff and leadership worked diligently with the U.S. Nationals Show Commission to provide an upgraded, functional...

The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) Youth Department is preparing some exciting events for this year's Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show. Applications to participate in AMHA Youth Club Contests are due September 15. If you are planning to attend the Grand National, please be sure to check out the amazing displays our youth present for these contests. Also occurring during the show are both the National Youth of the Year Contest and the National Morgan Judging...

Competition was intense in the hunter rings over Labor Day weekend at the Horse Park at Woodside, as the second to last show in the 2008 Woodside Show Series concluded with a flurry of hunter and equitation finals on Monday morning. At the Woodside Labor Day Classic, August 29–September 1, the quiet, tense spectators watching during the second round and work-off of the Carousel Junior/Amateur Medal Finals finally took a collective breath when rider Jill Stevens was named champion. Stevens was...