Luciana Diniz & Lady Lindenhof (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Valkenswaard, The Netherlands - Before a buzzing VIP lounge and packed stands, the final CSI5* class of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard - the Prix VDL Groep - was won by one of the most popular riders on the Tour, Luciana Diniz (POR), with her golden mare Lady Lindenhof. Second went to the experienced combination of Marc Houtzager (NED) with Sterrehof’s Uppity and third to Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) with Cocoshynsky....

Harrie Smolders & Regina Z (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Valkenswaard, The Netherlands - The evening CSI5* 1.50m class at Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard was won by the master of faster Harrie Smolders (NED) and his feisty mare Regina Z, who raced to the top of the class from early in the draw finishing in an unbeatable time of 38.19s. Second went to Constant van Paesschen (BEL) who is hitting form again this season having collected a 3rd this morning. This time the young star rode a...

Kent Farrington & Willow (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Port Hercule, Monaco - As the sun sank towards the horizon at beautiful Port Hercule, Monaco, the afternoon’s hotly contested CSI5* Prix SMB Le Casino was won by the USA’s Kent Farrington with Willow, who clinched the win from last to go in the jump-off, ahead of Pius Schwizer (SUI) and Anisette de Lassus in 2nd, and a thrilled Ali Yousef al Rumaihi (QAT) with Gunder in 3rd, in front of a vocal crowd and packed VIP suite. The first...

Steffen Peters and "Legolas" made their international competition debut a winning one. (Jennifer M. Keeler) Burbank, CA - West Coast riders began their journeys toward qualification for the Olympic Games today in Burbank, CA as part of the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI-W/Y/J. Contesting the FEI Grand Prix Test, a very competitive field of eleven international riders and horses impressed the FEI judges Jean-Michele Roudier (5* FRA), Linda Zang (5* USA), Cara Whitham (5* CAN), Eddy de Wolff (4*...

The 2011 World Pair Championship journey for the cast of Katherine Dancer, Misdee Miller and Joe Yoder began at the Sunshine State Games in Ocala, Florida seven months ago and has finally reached it’s peak in Conty, France! These three U.S. representatives spent their spring and summer campaigning at qualification events throughout the United States and Europe and have logged countless hours of training and preparation at the quaint European base camp of Dreieich, Germany with U.S. coach...

Every journey begins with a single step. Although many shows reflect such journeys, this year's Canadian Nationals is particularly full of starting points, especially on the day before the show. Brandon is hosting Canadian Nationals for the first time; no stranger to hosting horse shows, Brandon is a charming city with a diverse feeling. Blocks of Victorian era houses, with their sun-kissed gabled roofs and bay windows, mingle with more modern apartment buildings in the downtown. On the...

A competitor on course in the Purina Mills Horseless Horseshow. (Photo by Sarah Owen.) Ocala, FL - The annual Purina Mills Weekend, which featured exciting classes, a $50,000 Purina Mills-sponsored Grand Prix, and a series of special events, wrapped up the fifth week of AA-rated competition at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Another round of beautiful weather provided picture-perfect conditions, and exhibitors were out in force to take advantage of an action-packed schedule, with several key...

Laura Goldman and Carlingford JD (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - It was a chilly morning at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, but the sun quickly warmed the air as the Grade III and Grade Ia Para-Equestrian athletes were ready to wow the crowds with their individual freestyle tests. This was the first group of freestyle tests for the Para-Dressage riders, with the individual and team tests having been performed earlier in the week. The Grade III riders were the first...

"Let the Games Begin!" Australian Entertainer, Horseman and award winning Poet, Guy McLean, will perform at 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games "Equine Village." In celebration of the games, McLean released an incredible 32-verse poem, "Let the Games Begin," especially dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Lyons of Alltech, the State of Kentucky and the Kentucky Horse Park. McLean will be appearing in an interview on the 2010 Radio Show, part of the Horse Radio Network, and to recite his poem to music...

Randi Muster (Victoria Colvin and Seven Steps) Lexington, KY - August 11, 2010 - Competition continued Wednesday at the 2010 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships held at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. The Green Pony Hunter divisions came to a close as they wrapped-up their two days of competition with the over fences phase under the hot August sun. Later in the day, the Small Pony Hunter division got underway with their model and under...