Nayel Nassar and Nakich Double Dutch (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - The $25,000 Markel Insurance 1.40m Grand Prix kicked off the first of multiple showcase events during the third and final week of the Blenheim EquiSports Spring Classic series. With 66 entries in the class, veteran course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) had the complex task of designing a track that would adequately challenge the huge field while being appropriate for the varying levels of competitor experience. With...

Mark Dial (USEF Archive) Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Dial as the U.S. Endurance Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor . Learn more about Mark Dial . “I am very excited to be able to work with some of the best riders and horses in the USA. In the following few years my expectations are that we will rise to the top of our sport on the international playing field,” said Dial. “The U.S. is fortunate...

Lexington, Ky. - For the second year, Cargill's Nutrena® brand Para-Reining Event will be part of the Kentucky Reining Cup, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. on April 24-25. "We are thrilled to once again host Para-Reining at the Kentucky Reining Cup," said Brad Ettleman, president of HorsePower, Inc., producer of the Kentucky Reining Cup. "The Para-Reining movement is gaining ground day by day and we’re 100% supportive. We feel riders of all types should be able...

Waco, Texas - The National Collegiate Equestrian Association on Wednesday announced its 2015 All-America Teams, as determined by the NCEA Selection Committee. The top-four riders per discipline will be selected and named First-Team All-America by the NCEA Selection Committee. The next four riders per discipline will be named Second-Team All-America, while Honorable Mention All-Americans will be selected via the established criteria below. There shall be no limit on how many riders receive this...

Lyn Symansky, Jonathan Holling, Lyndsey Jordan, Buck Davidson and Jennie Brannigan during their visit to the Kentucky Children's Hospital in 2014 (Michelle Dunn) Lexington, Ky. - Four riders representing the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) who are in town to compete in the 2015 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Land Rover, and one rider that will be competing in the Kentucky Reining Cup, will be making a special trip to Kentucky Children's Hospital in Lexington on Tuesday,...

Scott Brash & Hello Sanctos (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Miami, Fla. - World No1 Scott Brash was victorious for the second night in a row on Miami Beach Saturday evening as he galloped away with the inaugural Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach Grand Prix title aboard Hello Sanctos. This was the two-time Longines GCT Champ's fifth Grand Prix win in the last three seasons as he continues to dominate the Tour in spectacular fashion. Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) and his relatively new...

Lane Clarke and Semira de Saulieu (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - Easter weekend was celebrated in style at Blenheim EquiSports Spring Classic II, complete with an Easter bunny, egg hunt, and the exciting $40,000 Spring Classic II Grand Prix, presented by Orange County Register. Indeed an International class, flags representing competitors' nationalities fluttered in the background. Spectators covered the grassy knoll above the Grand Prix field, while 38 entries tried to conquer...

Scott Brash and Hello Forever (Emily Riden/PMG) Miami Beach, Fla. - It has been 29 years since a rider representing Great Britain has led the coveted American Invitational victory gallop, but today, the world's number one rider, Scott Brash (GBR) clinched the victory during the 43rd $127,500 American Invitational. Aboard Hello Forever, Brash broke the beam in 33.35 seconds to outrun his fellow eight contenders in a nine-horse jump off and take back the title after nearly a 30-year drought...

Carlos Lopez (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Miami Beach, Fla. - Carlos Lopez (COL) and Zephyr II claimed a fast and furious opening victory in the CSI5* schedule today at the truly special Miami Beach venue. Second place went to two-time LGCT Champ Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and Questina who stopped the clock just under 1.5s behind Lopez. Third went to World No15 Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and Egano van het Slogenhof who finished a nail-biting 0.06s behind Tops-Alexander. Sunbathers and paddlers enjoying...

Michael Hughes Presented with the Maxine Beard Award (Emily Riden/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, FL - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that 18-year-old Michael Hughes of Allendale, NJ has been selected as the 2015 recipient of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award. Hughes was presented with the Maxine Beard Award trophy at the Winter Equestrian Festival Finale on March 28, 2015, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. The...