The U.S. Team for Hickstead (USEF Archive) Hickstead, United Kingdom - The U.S. sends a promising group into this week’s FEI Nations Cup at CDIO3* Hickstead, running July 31-August 3. The team of Katherine Bateson-Chandler, Susie Dutta, Brian Hafner, and Lisa Wilcox, led by Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald, have drawn third in the order of five international teams. Nations Cup competition kicks off Thursday with the first day of Grand Prix competition, and continues Friday with the...

This article was originally posted at www.useventing.com . Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF (StockImageServices.com) Five days of competition came to a close Sunday at The Event at Rebecca Farm with the third and final phase of the Adequan USEA Gold Cup and PRO Tour Series. Blossom Creek Foundation’s Super Socks BCF and Matthew Brown of Petaluma, California gave a top class performance, completing Richard Jeffery’s show jumping course without a single fault. James Alliston of San...

Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane on their way to a blue in the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix presented by Zoetis. The pair topped an impressive field to take first and $22,500 (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - Of the six jump-off contenders in Sunday’s $75,000 HITS Grand Prix presented by Zoetis, four boasted the colors of Ireland. Ronan McGuigan, Darragh Kerins, with two horses, and Jonathan McCrea made their home country proud as they bested a field of 29 starters. Try as they might,...

Todd Minikus (Tom Von Kap-Herr) Bromont, Canada - The 2014 International Bromont’s final event, the World Cup Qualifier, ended with American riders dominatin, as they took seven of the top ten places, including the Top 5. Victory for Todd Minikus Designed for testing both the technical and athletic abilities of participating riders, the course created by Venezualian Leopoldo Palacios, comprised 13 obstacles for 16 efforts in a time allowed of 93 seconds. Only five pairs entered...

Glock, Austria - Those who were present Saturday at the CSI5* competition in the Glock , were able to witness a true show-jumping spectacle. 38 top athletes entered the 1.55 m high world ranking jumping competition aiming for victory. The path to it was a one-off jump off and the quality of the top-notch starting group was proven in the moment of ruling. No fewer than 23 duos were able to really speed it up once more in the shortened course. And suspense lingered till the end, since one...

Kristin Smith & Ophelia (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, Mich. - Kristin Smith's plan was pretty straightforward said trainer Tammy Provost: "To take no prisoners." With 20 of the 35 starters qualifying for the jump-off in the $10,000 North Face Farm Children's/Adult Jumper Prix on July 27, there was no doubt the winner would need to chart a course that combined speed with precision and careful jumping. Designer Scott Starnes' challenging tie-breaker included a daring...

The Plains, Va. - A successful weekend at the Preparation Event for the Squad and Alternates for Squad for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games wrapped up Sunday morning with 11 U.S. combinations completing David O’Connor’s cross country. Crowds of 3,500 people came from throughout the United States to watch many of the best combinations in North America compete at the renovated Great Meadow on a beautiful Virginia weekend. Phillip Dutton...

Brianne Goutal (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Chantilly, France. - The penultimate speed class before the Longines Global Champions Tour of Chantilly, the Prix Equidia Life, was won by a thrilled Brianne Goutal (USA) and Zernike K, who sped to victory in a lightning time of 59.77s. Second went to home rider Simon Delestre (FRA) with Whisper who finished over 2s slower than the winner, but still received rapturous applause from his home crowd. Third place went to Shane Breen (IRE) and Calido Boy who...

McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets fly to a win (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - When McLain Ward climbed down from the tack of Dulien Van De Smeets after winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis, he didn’t look for congratulations, but marched straight to the mare’s owner, his godmother. Susie Heller stood clutching a winner’s trophy and was scooped up by Ward’s embrace. Every win is special, but this was divinely special. This week marked the...

Traverse, Mich. - Redemption was the name of the game during the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by Walgreens, the featured hunter class on July 25 during Horse Shows by the Bay Series IV. Molly Ashe and Kennzo had returned to the Traverse City show this year as the defending champions in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family, held during Series III. An unfortunate rail in the Classic Hunter Round, however, cut short their time in the show...