Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude. (ESI Photography© .) Ocala, FL - The gift of warm weather, bright blue skies and outstanding competition have been the theme of this year's HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Last week's Ocala Masters marked the mid-way point of the six-week, AA-rated Circuit, and with just three more weeks of competition remaining, the Circuit is shaping up to be the one of the best yet. Each week the Grand Prix and Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifiers for the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million...

Paul O'Shea and Daydream St. Ghyvan Z. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - The eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has begun, and this week is the CSIO "international" week of competition. The opening international class was the $5,000 CSIO Welcome Stake. Paul O'Shea of Ireland had the fastest speed round for victory with Daydream St. Ghyvan Z, owned by Harry Gill. The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival's eighth week of competition continues through Sunday, March 6. Week...

Hope Glynn and Sabrina Hellman's Woodstock. (Flying Horse Photography©.) Saugerties, NY - The Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final is the talk of the town this season and its key to qualifying, the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, continues to be one of the most popular offerings at the HITS Winter Circuits in Ocala, FL, Thermal, CA, and Tucson, AZ. Never before has a purse of this magnitude been offered for hunters, and never before have so many talented riders at all levels of their careers had the...

Crystal Forsell, one of three instructors to receive the award. (Photo by Gina Duran. ) Lincoln, Nebraska - March 3, 2011 - The Dressage Foundation's Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund, established by Maryal Barnett, has awarded three grants to individuals to attend the United States Dressage Federation's Instructor Certification Program. Katy Barglow (CA), Crystal Forsell (CA), and Kerrie Matesich (OH) each received a $1,250 grant to use toward their further education as an...

Natalya Jarczyk and Frivole Des Pres. (ESI Photography©.) Ocala, FL - The crowd was red hot on Saturday night at HITS Post Time Farm as Natalya Jarczyk and her own Frivole Des Pres captured the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic. Exhibitors, family and friends filled the stands and The Overlook VIP Club to support one of HITS Ocala's most coveted events. The $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic is one of the most anticipated events of the Ocala...

Don Harris and CHImperator. (Photo by Jamie Donaldson.) Lexington, KY - Friends and family of American Saddlebred icon Don Harris are having a party in honor of his turning 80, and you are invited. The party will be held on March 12, 2011, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the American Saddlebred Museum’s Showplace for Saddlebreds. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. Don has requested no gifts, but instead asks that his friends make a donation to the American Saddlebred...

Lexington, VA - The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) Chapter 18 has announced that by popular demand, Ellen Beard will return as clinician and instructor for their annual Saddle Seat Riding Clinic at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. The clinic, set to take place March 11-12 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, will offer private or group lessons, and the option of bringing your own horse, or riding a horse provided by one of the chapter members. Driving...

Lexington, KY - The judges have been announced for the 2011 Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS), as well as qualifying changes for Pleasure, Park and Western Invitational. The judges for the 2011 Show are: Robert Gardiner, William Greenwell, Randy Harper, Euchee Matthews, Cindy Mugnier, and Jack Noble. The Saddlebred classes will be judged by: Robert Gardiner, William Greenwell, Euchee Matthews, and Jack Noble. The Hackney/Harness Pony classes will be judged by: Randy...

Nichole Charbonneau. (Photo courtesy Carolynn Bunch Photography.) Lincoln, NE – The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that Nichole Charbonneau of Lacey, WA, is the 2011 recipient of the $500 Trip Harting Grant. Nichole is the second recipient of this annual grant and plans to use the funds to continue her education in the United States Dressage Federation 'L' Education Program. Trip's friends, students, and admirers established this Fund at The Dressage Foundation in his memory. Trip,...

Tallahassee, FL On March 11 in Tallahassee, FL, the Red Hills CIC3* will kick off the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Season. This year is a big one for the Gold Cup as the year-end prize money is being doubled from last year’s $10,000 to $20,000 for the horse and rider pair with the most points on the Gold Cup leaderboard. Seven events at the CIC3* and Advanced Levels are on the schedule for this year’s Gold Cup Series starting with Red Hills and culminating with the USEA American Eventing...