Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy sweep the over fences in the High Performance Hunters Division (Photo: Kendall Bierer/PMG). Lexington, KY - A light breeze rolled across the Kentucky Horse Park as the sun shone down welcoming the first day of the Blue Grass Festival Horse Show. Opening day in the Stonelea Ring marked the beginning of the First Year Green Working Hunter, Second Year Green Working Hunter, Green Conformation Hunter, Regular Conformation Hunter and High Performance Hunter Divisions....

Few dressage tests generate excitement like the young horse classes, where all the hopes, dreams, and possibilities for future equine dressage stars are on display. One program in particular can boast of a proven track record for identifying and rewarding talented youngsters capable of performing on a national and international stage: the California Dressage Society's Young Horse Futurity. When Alice Homble-Heitman's brown Hanoverian stallion "Sanceo" (San Remo x Rivera by Ramiro's...

The Canadian National Championship Arabian Horse Show was moved this year after well over twenty years in Regina, Saskatchewan. The new location in Brandon, Manitoba is further to travel for some and closer for some others. Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba (after Winnipeg) but its population is just 40,000 compared with Regina’s 180,000. The change in population and “big city” atmosphere between the two locations is obvious immediately. The location for the show...

London, OH – If you love horses, you owe it to yourself to put Equine Affaire on your calendar for November 10–13 at the Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, MA. Imagine what you could do with four days to devote to your passion for horses . . . Immerse yourself in educational clinics, seminars, and demonstrations. Explore breeds and riding disciplines you’ve only read about or seen online. Visit hundreds of vendors at an equine marketplace filled with equestrian...

If Sunday was about anticipation and preparation, Monday was a day characterized by enjoyment of the show atmosphere and execution of competition strategy in pursuit of the roses. Trainers on the rail offered last minute advice to their amateurs, while others reviewed their game plan for classes. Opportunities for optimal caffeination for peak performance were readily available. Shortly before the first class at 7.30, members of the Brandon city council, including the mayor, were on hand to...

Culpeper, VA — When show jumping returns to HITS Culpeper this Wednesday for two consecutive weeks of show jumping, the sixth annual USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals will spotlight some of the most talented equitation riders in the region. The competition will run in the Grand Prix ring on Saturday, August 20 as riders from Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware and West Virginia vie for a USHJA Zone III title. Competitors qualified for the finals by winning a Zone...

Shane and Kaley Pratt won the $15,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, presented by Parlanti, at the Vermont Summer Festival (David Mullinix Photography). East Dorset, VT — Kaley Pratt of Gainesville, Florida, piloted Shane to victory in the $15,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, Presented by Parlanti, on Sunday, August 14, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. Of the more than 70 that qualified, a total...

Woodside Vaulters (courtesy of Woodside Vaulters). Denver, CO – More than 300 top equestrian vaulters in the United States came together this weekend at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO, for the USEF/AVA National Championships – and they did not disappoint. The Woodside Vaulters of Woodside, CA, gained the top spot on the podium in the Team Championships. The A team consists of Katharine Wick, Gabe Aniello, Allysa Bonora, Tessa Divita, Kathryn Jaggers, Siddartha Kreaden,...

Madison Goetzmann and Denmark (Photo: Shawn McMillen). Lexington, KY - The last day of the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships began bright and early with exciting competition in the Covered Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The EquiSport Insurance/USEF Pony Medal Finals brought the 2011 Pony Finals to an end. Leading the class from beginning to end with a solid two rounds over fences was Madison Goetzmann and Denmark to garner the championship prize. The...

Darragh Kenny of Ireland and Obelix won the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix, Presented by Purina Feeds, on Sunday, August 14, to close out the six-week Vermont Summer Festival (David Mullinix Photography). East Dorset, VT — Darragh Kenny of Ireland won the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix, presented by Purina, on Sunday, August 14, to close out the 2011 Vermont Summer Festival. The six-week show jumping tournament took place from July 6 through August...