Hayley Barnhill and Podest, 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Championships (Photo Credit: Rebecca Walton/PMG.) Syracuse, NY - November 7, 2010 - Today marked the final day of competition at the 2010 Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament featuring the 127th National Horse Show. The highlight event at the Oncenter Complex in Syracuse, NY, was the 2010 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. Riders worked all year to qualify for this event and after three phases of competition and it was 17-year-old...

Today’s course must have been tricky. The time was tight. It started out at 82 seconds allowed, and Lauren was the first in the ring of today’s 119 riders—a TOUGH spot to be in. After Lauren’s round they upped the time allowed to 84 seconds, which was still quite tight for many riders. Rails were falling all over the course and many feet/hooves landed in the water. It was obviously tough and technical. So many of yesterday’s stars didn’t do so hot today. It...

Photo by Flashpoint Photography (Daniel Geitner and Sympa) Classic Company’s Atlanta Summer Finale week was chocked full of big action, but the highlight was the debut of the Open Musical Freestyle Equitation Classic on Saturday evening under the bright lights of the former Olympic arena. Horses, riders, and the masses watching were all tapping toes to the various beats. Brought to life by Classic Company President Bob Bell, the Musical Freestyle, open to both adults and juniors, gave...

There were no rabbits this Easter at the Tampa Equestrian Festival during the $50,000 Grand Prix of Tampa CSI**-W. When four riders were unable to complete Sunday's jump-off round without bringing down a rail, Margie Engle and Indigo were determined to have a steady, clear ride. The pair left all the jumps standing, and despite accruing two time faults, Engle and Indigo claimed the day's top prize. Canadian Hugh Graham was the first to attempt the shortened course with Executive Privilege 3E,...

Randi Muster (Leah Schwendeman and Gisele.) The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) had a great fifth week of competition on February 10-14. The week featured the $150,000 FEI World Cup, CSI*** presented by Spy Coast Farm, along with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. The week five title sponsor was Spy Coast Farm. Along with their week five title sponsorship, Spy Coast Farm was the presenting sponsor of the $150,000 FEI World Cup, CSI*** on Saturday, February 13,...

Photo by Sport Fot/Thierry Billet (Louis Jacobs on Kachina in the 1.45m.) The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) had a successful third week of competition on January 27-31. The week featured the $75,000 Nespresso Grand Prix, CSI** and the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes, along with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. The week three title sponsor was Nespresso. In order to provide the best coffee to riders at the FTI WEF, Nespresso is the official coffee at...

Photo by Robbi Meisel (Aaron Vale and Platinum) The $25,000 Jacksonville A-Z Grand Prix sponsored by North Florida Hunter Jumper Association on January 30 closed out Week IV of competition with one of the most successful riders in show jumping, Aaron Vale, adding another win to his illustrious career. After a week of observation, course designer Allen Rheinheimer put all he learned about the starting field into a lengthy and technical 13 obstacle-16 effort test with a time allowance of 96 tight...

A national Welfare Code of Practice has been endorsed by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Quarter Horse Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the United States Equestrian Federation and the U.S. Trotting Association. The Welfare Code of Practice, drafted by the American Horse Council, outlines in generic terms what it means for an organization to be committed to the responsible breeding, training, care,...

Classic Company President Bob Bell is feeling pretty special thanks to the kind folks of the Georgia International Horse Park, City Manager Tony Lucas, and Randal Mills, the Mayor of Conyers, who proclaimed Friday, November 7 as “Bob Bell Day” in the city of Conyers. The proclamation was an expression of appreciation to The Classic Company for 15 years of quality hunter/jumper events held at the former Olympic venue. Mayor Mills shared how Classic Company was the first major equestrian event to...

George Morris Imparts Wisdom at the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final (Shannon Brinkman) Lexington, KY – Their names are synonymous with excellence in their respective disciplines and the United States Equestrian Federation has honored two legends for their commitment to coaching and developing Equestrian Sport. George Morris is one of the most accomplished coaches in the world. He has coached back-to-back Olympic Gold medal teams and consistently guides the US show jumping program to...