Reed Kessler and Mika (Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - The top horses and riders from across the country have returned to the Kentucky Horse Park this week for the start of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. The first day of competition kicked off with the Open Jumper divisions in the Rolex Stadium. Olympian Reed Kessler led the way in the 1.45m Open Jumper class aboard Mika with a double clear effort, while the victory in the 1.40m Open Jumper speed...

Amy Lewis and Sir Steinerman (David Honor) Lexington, KY - The final Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Training Session of Spring 2013 wrapped up Sunday at Oak Hill Farm in Lockport, Illinois. The two-day training session featured 11 horses between the ages of four and six and was once again led by USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler. “We had a terrific training session at Oak Hill Farm in Illinois. There was once again a nice balance of U.S.-bred and imported horses,” said Hassler....

Lexington, KY – The final phase of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover provided an exciting finish to the Kentucky Horse Park’s staple event. A sold-out Rolex Stadium crowd witnessed Andrew Nicholson (NZL) win North America’s only CCI4* event for the first time. With Quimbo, he held onto the overnight lead, only adding three time penalties to their dressage score, finishing with a score of 41.0. Deboarah Sellar’s 10-year-old Spanish Sport Horse...

Shane Smith & Shepherd Star (Shannon Brinkman) Lexington, KY For the second time in three years, Shane Brown won the World Championship Freestyle Reining tonight at the Kentucky Horse Park. He rode Shepherd Star to the title, receiving 228 points from the three judges. Brown’s score put him just 1 point ahead of three riders who tied for second with a score of 227—Aaron Ralston on Blue Taris Glo, Drake Johnson on Sonic Chic Dream, and Pete Kyle on A Ruf Gal. The winners split a...

Lexington, KY - Cross country day was an influential one at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover. Derek di Grazia’s 6500 meter, 28 obstacle cross country course caused some problems throughout the day but did not pose any issues for HSBC World Rankings Leader Andrew Nicholson (NZL) who holds the top two places on the leaderboard. Nicholson is in the lead with Quimbo after having a textbook round, adding nothing to their dressage score of 38.0. Deborah...

Beezie Madden & Simon (Rebecca Walton/ Phelps Media Group) Gothenburg, Sweden - Valuable World Cup points were at stake Friday evening in the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final as riders vied for a place in Sunday's final competition. Uliano Vezzani tested the 38 riders that returned for round two over a flowing 13-obstacle track in the Scandinavium Arena. Riders within the top 26 placings following tonight's round qualified to jump in Sunday's final competition and of those entries...

Shawn Flarida & Wimps Quixote Cody (Shannon Brinkman) Lexington, KY - Shawn Flarida earned the winner’s share of the $100,000 Kentucky Reining Cup at the Kentucky Horse Park, riding Wimps Quixote Cody to a score of 226.5. Andrea Fappani rode Star For The Chicks to second place (224.5), and Tom McCutcheon rode Pretty Peppy Chec to third place (221.0). This was the third consecutive year that Flarida, of Springfield, Ohio, has won the Kentucky Reining Cup, which began in 2011....

Tim McQuay and Mega Watt Shine (Shannon Brinkman) Lexington, KY - The reining world descends on the Kentucky Horse Park this weekend as many of the best in the sport have come to Lexington to compete in the 2013 Kentucky Reining Cup. Held in conjunction with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, competition will be held April 26-27 in the Alltech Arena. On Friday, CRI3* Open FEI Reining competition will begin at 6:00 pm ET, while Saturday's Reining World Freestyle...

Lexington, KY- The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that 10 dressage athlete/horse combinations have been awarded training and competition grants to be used in 2013. These grants were awarded in order for the combinations to take part in CDI competitions throughout Europe in preparation for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Grants were awarded based on international competition experience and athlete’s prospect of contributing to a Team or...

Lexington, KY – Land Rover and the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event are increasing their partnership as Land Rover becomes the presenting sponsor of the prestigious equestrian event. The company will continue to be title sponsor of the Land Rover Tailgate and presenting sponsor of the NBC telecast of the Rolex Equestrian Championships presented by Land Rover. In its new role as presenting sponsor of the event, it will honor the top U.S. rider who comes closest to the optimum time on the...