Lauren Hough and Ohlala (Spruce Meadows Media Service) Calgary, Alberta - Weather conditions were markedly improved for today's opening competition of the Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament. While originally scheduled to start yesterday, snowfall, downed trees, and power outages pushed the start of all competition to Thursday at the 'Masters', the first instance of a complete day's reschedule of competition in the 39-year history of Spruce Meadows tournaments. There...

Molly Ashe-Cawley & Carissimo (Shawn McMillen photo) Bridgehampton, N.Y. - Molly Ashe-Cawley and Carissimo scored a comeback victory in the $50,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier, presented by Longines, at the Hampton Classic. Their jump-off time of 43.80 seconds defeated Karen Polle, representing Japan, on With Wings (44.38) and Ronan McGuigan, representing Ireland, on Capall Zidane (46.99). The 39th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show runs Aug. 24-31. The Hampton Classic features...

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has ranked the six alternates for the Squad for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Additionally, the top three ranked combinations will serve as Traveling Reserves to the Squad. The following combinations will serve as alternates to the Squad for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (in ranked order): Marilyn Little (Frederick, Md.) and...

Chris Ewanouski and Cortina (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - All eyes were on the up-and-coming horses of the future in the Rolex Stadium today as they vied for winning honors in the 7 & 8-Year-Old Jumpers and the 6-Year-Old Jumpers. Chris Ewanouski captured the first blue ribbon with his 8-year-old mount Cortina, while amateur rider Joyce Green piloted Cassidy to the top prize in the 6-Year-Old Jumpers. Great Britain's Richard Jeffries designed the track for the 7...

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...

The Plains, Va. - Great Meadow is set to host elite eventing combinations July 26th and 27th as the Squad for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and alternates take part in their official Preparation Event. The U.S. combinations will be joined Canadian horses and riders as they too will use the weekend to fine tune performances in the lead up to Normandy. Dressage will take place Saturday morning, with all combinations coming back in the evening to...

Todd Minikus and Arino Du Rouet jump to their second HITS Saugerties win this year in the $50,000 Horze Equestrian Grand Prix presented by Zoeti (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y . - Todd Minikus knows when the likes of McLain Ward, Ronan McGuigan and Laura Chapot follow him in a jump-off, winning will be no easy feat. He proved twice-over, however, that while a fight against some of the greats is a challenge, he is up to the task. Minikus bested a star-studded order on Sunday to collect first...

Saugerties, N.Y. - Quality Girl is no stranger to clean rounds with Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida and at the top of her game as of late. Highlighted by their Open Jumper success at Devon last weekend and Friday, winning the HITS $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix the 11-year-old Oldenburg mare continues to shine. Todd Minikus and Quality Girl were the top pair in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis at HITS Saugerties (©ESI Photography) “She’s turning into a...

Christopher Payne and Truman (Shawn McMillen Photography) Lexington, Ky. - Maypine Farm's Truman has bundles of talent and, as of Thursday, a Kentucky Spring Horse Show championship tricolor to his name. This morning, Christopher Payne rode the 7-year-old gelding to the First Year Green Hunter championship title at the Kentucky Horse Park. Truman and Payne came in to the day with a first and third place finish over fences under their belts, sitting neck-and-neck in the points race with...

Heather Reynolds and Chanses (Becky Pearman Photography) Ehrhardt, S.C. – The top athletes in endurance are set to compete in the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Endurance Team Selection Trial CEI2* 120 at Broxton Bridge Planation in Ehrhardt, S.C., April 18-19. Fifteen individuals will vie for a spot on the team that will compete in Normandy, France, on a course from Sartilly to the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel on Thursday, August 28. Currently, three competitors in this...