Thermal, CA — With the HITS Winter Circuits in Thermal, CA, and Ocala, FL, heading into their final weeks, Grand Prix action is heating up with two of the biggest classes of the season on the horizon. The $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix of the Desert, presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach, will conclude competition in Thermal on March 13, while the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, will cap off the season in Ocala on March 20. But that’s...

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,...

Lauren Hough Wins with Quick Study (Joanie Morris) Wellington, FL – The $150,000 Wellington Realty Grand Prix came down to a battle between 12 horse and rider combinations after 46 started over the CSIO4*course in the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Top horses and riders brought the eighth week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival to a close – as the only CSIO in America showcased some of the very best in the world. When the dust settled over Steve...

Wellington, FL - The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5* presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach is now just five days away. The American edition of the world's premier dressage series will begin on March 9th with the FEI Horse Inspection, followed by two days of world class competition. Five top European dressage horses arrived in Miami from Amsterdam on March 3. They are expected to move from quarantine to the competition venue, the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm...

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...

Wellington, FL - Competition at the seventh week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) has concluded at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, and another week of fantastic competition was held. The FTI WEF hosts the best that the sports of show jumping, hunters, and equitation have to offer in 12 rings of competition. In addition to competition, the FTI WEF hosts many exciting activities. McLain Ward and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve Triumph in $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2*...

California's Steffen Peters with his new star "Weltino's Magic". (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - Riders who dream of competing at the Pan American Games began their quest at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J in Burbank, CA, February 24-27, 2011. As the first official qualifying competition on the West Coast, horses and riders vied for scores in front of FEI judges Jayne Ayers ("I" USA), Natalie Lamping ("I" USA), and Lorraine MacDonald ("I" CAN). In addition, this competition...

McLain Ward and Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve. (Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Saturday night at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve in the $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2* Grand Prix. The class was held on a beautiful Florida evening under the lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Riders representing 12 different countries made up the international field this evening, showing over a course...

Bjorn Ikast and Colorado. (Horseinsport© ) Tucson, AZ — The midway point of the six week HITS Arizona Winter Circuit was highlighted by big victories for Bjorn Ikast in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and Gretchen Lof in the $2,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. Ikast, originally from Kolding, Denmark and now a Colorado resident, is a regular at the HITS Arizona Winter Circuit and has been knocking on the door for a Grand Prix win all season. He finished third two weeks...

Wellington, FL - Dressage rider Tina Konyot, and her World Equestrian Games partner Calecto V, turned in brilliant performances in the Grand Prix classes at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI to ride into the winner’s circle. Konyot also rode away with the “Rider Wellness Award” from The Wellington Institute, awarded to a rider on the Florida dressage circuit who is healthy looking and physically fit. Calecto, a magnificent black stallion that represented the U.S. at WEG,...