New Orleans, LA - Riders from South Africa and the United States braved the Louisiana heat over the weekend for international team saddle seat equitation competition at the U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational II. The U.S. was represented by the 2013 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team while South Africa sent their 2013 Junior Team and the Impondo Mining Senior Protea Team. Duplicating their success from the first Saddle Seat Invitational of the year, the U.S. Young Riders swept the competition by...

Leslie Howard raises the impressive trophy with Rich Kruger, Chairman, President, and CEO of Imperial Oil (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, Alberta – The 'Canada One' Tournament came to a close today with two top competitions in the Meadows on the Green at Spruce Meadows. The highlight of the week, the $100,000 ESSO Challenge 1.60m CSI-W, was an exciting finish for Leslie Howard (USA) and Tic Tac, who took the top prize. Pablo Barrios (VEN) and Zara Leandra were victorious...

Brianne Goutal and Onira (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, Alberta – The $50,000 RBC Financial Group Cup 1.60m was the highlight event of the day and fans saw Brianne Goutal (USA) ride to victory with her veteran partner Onira. In the All Canada Ring, Shane Sweetnam and Fineman were the only clear round to win the $25,000 Direct Energy Derby 1.45m. Today's competitions were the start of weekend competition for the 'Canada One' Tournament in the Spruce Meadows Summer...

Richard Spooner and Cristallo (Stefano Grasso/Longines GLobal Champions Tour) Monte Carlo, Monaco - Richard Spooner and Cristallo electrified Monte-Carlo Saturday night winning the Riviera Grand Prix for the third time in a record triple. In a spectacular jump off in front of a full house the US rider left William Funnell on Billy Congo in second place and Edwina Tops-Alexander on Guccio in third and shook up the ranking for the 2013 Longines Global Champions Tour series. In a dramatic shift,...

Lauren Crooks and Navare D'Oriolles (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, Alberta - The finish of the $33,000 Westjet Cup 1.45m could not have been any closer, with only one-thousandth of a second separating first and second place. With the slimmest margin of victory, Lauren Crooks (USA) and Navare D'Oriolles, a 12-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Derby Rouge x Le Gregol owned by Beatrice Mack, scored their first international victory at Spruce Meadows. Crooks was one of eight...

Lexington, KY – Starting Friday at 5pm ET three- and five-gaited saddle seat equitation teams from the U.S. and the Republic of South Africa will go head to head in the second of two U.S. Saddle Seat Invitationals of 2013. This event is being held at Cascade Stables in New Orleans, LA's historic Audubon Park and will feature three- and five-gaited competitors riding unfamiliar horses in rail work and pattern phases. It will be the second ever competition for the newly formed U.S....

McLain Ward and Zander (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB - The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments are in their third week and the competition is as tough as ever. Two FEI-level events were held Thursday at the 'Canada One' Tournament, which runs through Sunday, June 30. Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward and Wannahave sped to their second win in the summer series in the $33,000 AKITA Drilling Cup 1.45m. Ward won his sixth FEI competition of the Summer Tournaments in the $33,000...

Aachen, Germany - Competition was in full swing at CHIO Aachen Wednesday with dressage, driving and jumping competitions all taking place. The U.S. had representation in all three disciplines and did not disappoint as American combinations notched solid results. Driving Leading the U.S. effort on Wednesday was veteran driver Chester Weber, who dominated the start of CAIO-4 competition. For the second consecutive year, Weber (Ocala, FL) claimed victory in the Preis der Fa. Horsch in a...

Susan Treabess and Kamiakin (Lindsay McCall) Rancho Murieta, CA - As the Pura Raza Espanol, Kamiakin, made its way down to X on the centerline, Susan Treabess (USA) cracked a smile. The Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* crowd erupted in cheering for the stallion and his Grade IV rider who had just completed an outstanding freestyle. After three days of Para-Dressage competition in front of judges Alison King (HK) FEI 4*, David Schmutz (USA) FEI 4* and Lorraine Stubbs (CAN) FEI 4*, Susan...

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Eternal (Mary Adelaide Brakenridge) Parker, CO - Summer in the Rockies II Grand Prix, presented by Littleton Equine Medical Center and Platinum Performance, was well attended and spectators lined the grass bleachers and VIP area on a mild summer day. Much needed rain could be seen far in the distance but Mother Nature held off the showers with perfect timing, letting go in a brief downpour as the victory gallop ended. Brian Curry, Vice President and General...