Meredith Darst with Won Up and Mapleside Magic Dancer (Photo by Sportfot.) Wellington, FL - It is the last day of action for week 11 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which means that numerous championships were awarded throughout the day. One place where there was a particularly large amount of awards being given out was Pony Land. Rings 11 and 12 were packed with children and their ponies and family members. Competition was fierce as they vied for some last minute points in their...

Lexington, KY - The deadline to submit applications for ASHA Youth Scholarships, is Friday, April 29. The purpose of ASHA scholarships is to encourage, support and recognize participation in all aspects of the American Saddlebred industry, as well as to strengthen the American Saddlebred industry and breed through education. Scholarships are awarded only to high school graduates or those students whose graduation is imminent. Applications must be received by April 29 of the year in which the...

Leipzig, Germany - Following the great success of the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series where Reed Kessler, Charlotte Jacobs and David Arcand qualified for the EY Cup to be held in Leipzig, Germany, the Leipzig organizers have decided to use their option of inviting some wild cards to the EY Cup Final. They have given these wild cards to the fourth and fifth placed finishers in the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series. Volker Wulff, the organizer in Leipzig, commented that he...

Andre Thieme and Coco 135. (ESI Photography©.) OCALA, FL - On a perfectly beautiful afternoon at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL, German show-jumping icon Andre Thieme riding Seth Vallhonrat's Coco 135 captured the victory in Sunday's $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to close out the Ocala Finals. Thieme's win marked the first time this season that a rider captured more than one victory in a Sunday Grand Prix, his first being aboard his own Cesar three weeks...

Pierre St. Jacques and Lucky Tiger (SusanJStickle.com Photo) Wellington, FL - The second day of the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by the International Polo Club got underway with the Grand Prix Special on a glorious day in South Florida. Nine horse-and-rider combinations went forward to the Special after Thursday’s Grand Prix and the remaining eight will contest the Freestyle this evening. Polish rider Michal Rapcewicz proved unbeatable, winning the Special on 69.771% on Randon....

Lexington, KY - The American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) is announcing changes to its Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes program. Based on a recommendation from the Sweepstakes Committee, the ASR Board of Directors, together with the show management of the World’s Championship Horse Show, has agreed to the relocation of the ASR Four-Year-Old Sweepstakes classes to Kentucky State Fair beginning in 2012, and going forward. The ASR Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old Sweepstakes classes will continue to be held...

Wellington, FL - At the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival came to a close. The FTI WEF hosts the best that the sports of show jumping, hunters, and equitation have to offer in 12 rings of competition. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival hosted its 10th annual $75,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday evening, presented by G&C Farm, with an exciting victory for Team USA. Made up of Mario Deslauriers riding Urico, owned by Jane F....

Fulton, MO - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will hold a Saddlebred, Saddle Seat Equitation, Hackney and Roadster judges’ clinic at William Woods University in Fulton, MO, April 2-3. In addition to judges and applicants, this clinic is also open to auditors (for a reduced fee) who are interested in learning more about judging. Classroom discussion and live practice judging at the Equestrian Center will be part of the clinic. April 2 is for applicants (those who don’t hold any...

Francois Lamontagne and Anton. (ESI Photography©.) Ocala, FL -- Diversity seems to be the theme this season at HITS Ocala, as 10 different winners representing six different nations have claimed the victory in each of the 10 Grand Prix held at HITS Ocala, so far. In Sunday's $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Canada's Francois Lamontagne joined the list of this season's winners aboard his own Anton. "This circuit is great, it does not discourage horses and riders,...

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...