Shelburne, Vt. - The American Morgan Horse Association, Inc. (AMHA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Carrie Mortensen to the position of Executive Director effective August 1. Mortensen comes to AMHA with over a decade of experience working in the equine industry, including positions with the United States Equestrian Federation, the American Saddlebred Horse Association and The Jockey Club. She obtained her B.A. from William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, and her M.B.A. from...

Rotterdam, The Netherlands – The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team of Shelly Francis, Laura Graves, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Steffen Peters got off to a strong start in Nations Cup competition in Rotterdam Thursday. With strong performances from all members of the team, the U.S. sits in second on 226.92, behind the home team of The Netherlands, who lead on a total of 231.58. Thursday’s Grand Prix was the first of two days of Nations Cup competition; the event concludes on Saturday with...

Rotterdam, The Netherlands – All members of the Dressage Squad for European Observation Events will compete this week at CDIO5*/CDI3* Rotterdam in The Netherlands. The competition is the last of three designated observation events as part of the selection process for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team. Led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for the CDIO5* will include Shelly Francis, Laura Graves, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Steffen Peters. Allison Brock,...

Natascha Gates and Quickie (Sportfot) Parker, Colo. - Colorado local and German native, Natascha Gates of Elizabeth, CO, and Quickie soared to a win in the $40,000 Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Super 8 Grand Prix presented by Trapper's Chop House on Saturday, June 18, at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), during week two of the Summer in the Rockies Series (SIR). Quickie lived up to his name, showcasing his speed in the biggest class of the week, and finished the short course in 41.25...

Scott Stewart and Catch Me, owned by David Gochman, was the 2015 Capital Challenge Grand Hunter Champion, Grand Champion First Year Green Hunter, Grand Green Hunter Champion and WCHR Pro Challenge winner. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Upper Marlboro, Md. – For the 23rd year, the prestigious year-end horse show finals will kick-off at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. The preeminent hunter and equitation competition will return to the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper...

Gladstone, N.J . - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Board of Directors (BOD) elected Murray S. Kessler as its next President at the Mid-Year BOD Meeting in Gladstone, N.J. on Tuesday. The President ultimately presides over the volunteer leadership structure of the USEF. Kessler will officially take office at the USEF Annual Meeting in January 2017. In the interim, he will work with current President, Chrystine Tauber, and the USEF staff on the implementation of a new strategic...

Frank Chapot passed away peacefully on June 20 at the age of 84. Whether it was in life or through the sport of show jumping, Chapot gave it his all. As a husband, father, friend, teammate, coach, and competitor, Chapot left Frank Chapot and Good Twist (Show Jumping Hall of Fame) an abiding mark on the sport and on those who knew him. For five decades, Chapot played an instrumental role on the U.S. Show Jumping Team. After winning the renowned Maclay Championship in 1947 at the junior level,...

Traverse City, Mich. - With only a few weeks to go until the start of the 2016 Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, competitors are gearing up for this year's addition of FEI 2* and 3* weeks, as well as a $25,000 U-25 Grand Prix to the August show series. The week of August 10-14 will surely be action packed, boasting both U-25 competition and two CSI2* ranking classes. The excitement continues just a week later, moving into August 17-21 with two more CSI2* ranking classes. Both CSI2* weeks...

Josephina Nor Lantzman and Chello Z (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, CA - As the temperature soared in Southern California, so did the four entries who battled it out in the jump-off of the $30,000 June Classic II Grand Prix, presented by ACE Equestrian. Congratulations go to Josephina Nor Lantzman and her own Chello Z, who, despite the heat, were blazing hot for the win. FEI Course Designer Mauricio Garcia of Puerto Rico designed a tough track for the highlight class of twenty-six entries....

Peter Lutz and Robin de Ponthual (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB, Canada – It was a picture perfect day for the biggest event of the Spruce Meadows ‘Continental CSI 5* Tournament, and it was a storybook ending for Peter Lutz (USA) and Robin de Ponthual, who scored their biggest victory together in the $375,000 CP Grand Prix. Second place went to Charlie Jacobs (USA) with Cassinja S, while Andrew Ramsay (USA) and California 62 were third. This marked the final day of the...