Scott Stewart and Catch Me, owned by David Gochman, was the 2015 Capital Challenge Grand Hunter Champion, Grand Champion First Year Green Hunter, Grand Green Hunter Champion and WCHR Pro Challenge winner. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Upper Marlboro, Md. – For the 23rd year, the prestigious year-end horse show finals will kick-off at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. The preeminent hunter and equitation competition will return to the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper...

Gladstone, N.J . - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Board of Directors (BOD) elected Murray S. Kessler as its next President at the Mid-Year BOD Meeting in Gladstone, N.J. on Tuesday. The President ultimately presides over the volunteer leadership structure of the USEF. Kessler will officially take office at the USEF Annual Meeting in January 2017. In the interim, he will work with current President, Chrystine Tauber, and the USEF staff on the implementation of a new strategic...

Traverse City, Mich. - With only a few weeks to go until the start of the 2016 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, competitors are gearing up for this year's addition of FEI 2* and 3* weeks, as well as a $25,000 U-25 Grand Prix to the August show series. The week of August 10-14 will surely be action packed, boasting both U-25 competition and two CSI2* ranking classes. The excitement continues just a week later, moving into August 17-21 with two more CSI2* ranking classes. Both CSI2* weeks...

Josephina Nor Lantzman and Chello Z (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, CA - As the temperature soared in Southern California, so did the four entries who battled it out in the jump-off of the $30,000 June Classic II Grand Prix, presented by ACE Equestrian. Congratulations go to Josephina Nor Lantzman and her own Chello Z, who, despite the heat, were blazing hot for the win. FEI Course Designer Mauricio Garcia of Puerto Rico designed a tough track for the highlight class of twenty-six entries....

Skyhawk and Alexis Taylor Silvernale (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - The $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby kicked off a grand Saturday morning at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano. After topping the first round, Alexis Taylor Silvernale and Skyhawk, owned by Aleron, LLC, continued to impress both judging panels in the Handy Round for the win in a challenging class. The honorable Bill Ellis and Christina Schlusemeyer judged as Panel One, and Scott...

Young rider Kyle Perkovich racks up his second win in the 1.30m Grand Prix. (Nicole Janiga/Chicago Equestrian) Wayne, Ill. - Week two of Showplace Productions' Spring Spectacular featured the $15,000 1.30m Marshall and Sterling Grand Prix, presented by Barrington Saddlery, as part of the $150,000 Marshall and Sterling Grand Prix Series, which will run at all Showplace Productions Shows through August. Young riders took control of a field of 50 entries including professionals, amateurs and...

Kent Farrington and Gazelle (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB, Canada – The ‘Continental’ CSI 5* Tournament at the Spruce Meadows Summer Series had more exciting show jumping competition at the Meadows on the Green with Kent Farrington and Gazelle capturing the top prize in the Scotiabank Cup 1.55m as the only clear round. Second place went to Kara Chad (CAN) on Bellinda, and third place was awarded to Peter Lutz (USA) on Robin de Ponthual. Victory in the Altagas Cup...

Freddie Vazquez and Esprit De Vie (Andrew Ryback Photography) Wayne, Ill. –Patrick Boyle and the organizers of Showplace Productions Spring Spectacular produced a great day of competition at Lamplight Equestrian Center. Freddie Vazquez and his Pan Am Games mount, Esprit De Vie won the $20,000 C & E Transportation Welcome Stake over international course designer, Anderson Lima’s challenging track. In the hunter ring the professional hunter division champions were named. “He...

Iwasaki & Reilly's Small Gesture, ridden by John French, is awarded $7,500 in prize money, FITS Riding breeches, a WCHR jacket and silver platter, as well as the Horseplay Encouraged trophy, presented by Valencia Saddlery. (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - In the $25,000 WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular at the Blenheim June Classic I, Small Gesture dominated the first round scoring with an impressive 92 from not just one panel, but both panels of judges. Competing fifth out of 30...

Armando Hassey and S&L Zeppelin (Sportfot) Parker, Colo. - Armando Hassey, a local resident of Parker, CO, piloted S&L Zeppelin to back to back wins, kicking off the Summer in the Rockies Series (SIR) at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP) this past week. The pair earned top honors in the $20,000 Open Welcome and the $30,000 Front Range Kubota Grand Prix. The duo made quick work of the $30,000 Front Range Kubota Grand Prix, finishing the course in 40.271 seconds for the win. Bjorn Ikast, also...