Las Vegas, Nev. - Amidst the cheers and applause of loyal stable mates, adorned with sparkles and streamers for Barn Spirit Night, a large group of show jumpers raced against the clock in the $30,000 Las Vegas Speed Classic, presented by Equ Lifestyle. With over fifty riders contending for the top prize, the enthusiastic crowd watched a thrilling display of time-efficient twists and turns throughout the 1.35m class. Kristin Hardin and Pamela Levin's Aran (McCool Photography) Course designer...

Vinton Karrasch and Coral Reef Baloufino (McCool) Las Vegas, N.V. - Being fast and fault-free was key in Thursday night's $33,500 Las Vegas Welcome Jumper Classic, presented by EquiFit, inc. Fifty-eight entries competed for the top prize in the first of two FEI classes featured in this week's schedule of events. Germany's Olaf Petersen, Jr. designed a winding course with 14 efforts in a time allowed of 79 seconds. Featuring three double combinations as well as multiple bending lines...

Las Vegas, N.V. - The Las Vegas National kicked off the show jumping highlights at the South Point Hotel & Casino's Equestrian Arena with Thursday's Markel Insurance Grand Prix Series Final. After competing in qualifying grand prix events throughout the year, the top twenty-five point earners were invited to compete in the inaugural finals. With add back from each horse's entry during the qualifying season, the purse for tonight's class had grown to $53,400. Kristin Hardin...

Kurt Martin and Anna Bella (Shannon Brinkman) Gladstone, N.J. - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded the 2015 Amanda Warrington Grant to Eventing rider Kurt Martin of Middleburg, VA. The Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. Earlier this year, Martin and his talented mount Anna Bella took home the winning honors at the Fair Hill International CIC***. The Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund...

Brewster, NY’s McLain Ward made it back-to-back wins with Rothchild in the $100,000 Hickstead FEI World CupTM Grand Prix, Presented by Hudson’s Bay, tonight, at the CSI4*-W Toronto, the Royal Horse Show. (BenRadvanyi.com) Toronto, Ontario - McLain Ward (Brewster, NY) considers The Royal Horse Show a “great home away from home” and it’s no wonder, as he has become more than comfortable in the winner’s circle here year after year. The Olympic double gold-medalist won the...

McLain Ward (Brewster, NY) took top honours in tonight's $34,000 Jolera International Jumper class at the CSI4*-W Toronto, The Royal Horse Show, with Double H Farm's HH Carlos Z. (BenRadvanyi.com) Toronto, Ontario - Often, equestrian sport is decided in mere fractions. Tenths, or even hundredths of seconds are not unusal deciding factors at the uppermost levels. Tonight, McLain Ward won the $34,000 Jolera International Jumper class by more than four seconds over his closest rival, Jessica...

Seventeen-year-old Spencer Smith headed into the 2014 fall season looking to produce strong results in the U.S.’s most prestigious equitation finals. The Wellington, Fla., native did just that as he earned the 2014 Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Medal Finals victory at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and finished fifth in the ASPCA Maclay Final at the National Horse Show to earn the Wilson Dennehy Equitation Trophy. Additionally, he competed in the finals at the Platinum Performance/USEF Show...

Lexington, Ky. - Intense head-to-head dressage competition across 30 championship divisions concluded on Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington for the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®. Surrounded by friends and family, emotions ran high for competitors as they rode their way into history and celebrated their success with joyous victory laps before packing for their long journeys back to homes across the country. The appropriately-named Dutch Warmblood Eye Candy (Weltmeyer x...

John Bragg and Social Hour (ESI Photography) Thermal, Calif. - The Hunter Rings at HITS Desert Horse Park took center stage Friday afternoon during Week II of the National Sunshine Series. A fun and relaxed setting was ideal for those waiting to take flight in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. Twenty-seven glided quietly over the course as competitors basked in the sun, enjoying moments of camaraderie about the trip they just finished. The course was set with intentions of giving riders a...

John French and Sochi on their way to a blue ribbon and the Scott Wilson Perpetual Trophy in the $2,500 Pre-Green Hunter Championship 3' (ESI Photography) Thermal, Calif. - Over the past two weeks, the National Sunshine Series Hunter Rings have seen amazing competition. Friday afternoon’s Pre-Green Hunter Championships established a pleasant atmosphere that continued throughout the weekend. Familiar faces topped the leaderboards, albeit many of them aboard new horses. Alex Wilson is new...