Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville (Shannon Brinkman) Stamford, England - On a day when quick clear rounds were at a premium, Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, NJ) proved that she is amongst the best in the sport as she maintained her dressage lead at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Halpin is competing at the historic event on a Land Rover Training and Competition Grant and has spent the summer honing her skills in England as part of the program. Captain Mark Phillip’s demanding cross...

After a clear cross country round at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials Sinead Halpin maintains her lead and will enter Sunday's Jumping phase with the overall lead. Riding Carraig, LLC's Manoir De Carneville, Halpin has a chance to be the first American to win at Burghley since 1993. Interview by Kate Justice

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation Board of Directors assembled in Lexington, Kentucky on August 27th for the 2012 USEF Mid -Year Meeting. The election of a new President, to take office in January 2013, topped the agenda. Olympic Gold Medalist David O'Connor has served as the USEF President since 2004. The President ultimately presides over the volunteer leadership structure of the Federation. Only 12 individuals have served in the presidential role and the process for...

Bridgehampton, NY - McLain Ward is hard to beat at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. On Friday afternoon Ward rode Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve to victory in the $50,000 Spy Coast Farm/Young Horse Show Series Grand Prix Qualifier, and he grabbed third place on Antares F. As the third rider to start in the 13-horse jump-off, Ward, on Antares F, stopped the timers just 0.02 seconds short of the mark Kent Farrington had set right before him on Venus (42.26 seconds). Four more riders tried and failed to...

Donna Ponessa (West Windsor, NY) had a long time to wait before she was able to make her debut at the 2012 Paralympic Games. But she made it worth the wait as she piloted Wes Dunham’s Western Rose to a score of 70.235% in front of the Ground Jury of Kjell Myhre, Sarah Rodger, Gudrun Hofinga, Freddy Leyman and Anne Prain. Riding in Grade 1a competition, Ponessa produced a steady, rhythmic test with the 9-year-old Oldenburg mare to earn fifth place. Western Rose is well Donna Ponessa and...

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville sit in first place with a score of 36.3. (StockImageServices.com) Stamford, England - The U.S. riders made a bold statement after the first two days of dressage at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials slotting three riders into the top 15. The three Land Rover Competition and Training Grant recipients who have spent the summer training and competing in England produced top tier results in the first phase. Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, NJ) and Allison Springer...

American Rider Allison Springer is in 2nd place behind Sinead Halpin after the dressage phase of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Springer, who is competing on a Land Rover Training and Competition Grant scored 40.0 pts with Carole and William Springer's Arthur. Following her test Springer spoke to Kate Justice.

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the addition of USEF Elite Youth Dressage Training Sessions in the Fall of 2012 and Spring of 2013. These sessions will be led by USEF Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg and will be a unique opportunity for up and coming youth athletes to hone their riding and horsemanship skills. These training sessions have been made possible through a generous donation from Kristen McDonald and the Marquis George MacDonald Foundation....

Tulsa, OK – Clearing the first major hurdle at the Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship, and after a year of qualifying for the chance to compete for the championship title, all riders cleared the jog today at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic in Tulsa, OK. Concurrent with the Open division held on Friday, August 31st, the Adequan/USEF National Reining Championship will feature the nation’s most elite horse and rider combinations all vying for the gold medal and the top of...

Hear what Sinead Halpin has to say about her ride with Carraig, LLC's Manior De Carneville on Friday at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. The pair which is competing on a Land Rover Training and Competition Grant scored 36.3.