Bridgehampton, NY - Even though the Grand Prix Ring at the 37th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show is hosting five Olympic gold medalists and many other international stars this week, Friday morning’s jumper classes belonged to two teenagers whose eyes are set on similar accomplishments. Luis Larrazabal, 19, won the $15,000 Speed Derby, presented by Sotheby’s, and Victoria Colvin, 14, won the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake. Riding G&C Lepanto, Larrazabal, a native of...

Greenwich, UK - The Para-Equestrian Dressage competition of the 2012 Paralympic Games kicked-off Thursday with Grade II and Grade 1b riders completing their Team Tests on a day that ran the gamut of English weather. The U.S. sent three representatives into the main arena with Rebecca Hart and Dr. Dale Dedrick competing during the Grade II morning session and Jonathan Wentz competing in afternoon Grade 1b competition. Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale (Shannon Brinkman) Riders for Great...

Grade 1b rider Jonathan Wentz talks about his Team Test Thursday afternoon; Jonathan Wentz (Richardson, TX) and Kai Handt's NTEC Richter Scale scored 70.364. Here are Jonathan's thoughts; On his test : “It was super; the accuracy was astounding. Richter was moving really forward; he loves this cold weather and rain. It’s good conditions for him. The walk tour was great and we will look to improve on that.” On his favorite part of the test: “The halts. Richter has...

With just 24 hours to go to the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, excitement and great expectations are building up in the Olympic venues dotted around the city whilst record ticket sales – over 2.2 million tickets sold – are already hailing this edition as the greatest ever. This will be the fifth time Para-Equestrian Dressage is on the programme but it is the first time it is held in a country with such a strong Para-Equestrian culture, so strong that since it became...

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo win 2010 American Gold Cup. (Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com) North Salem, NY - When the American Gold Cup makes it much anticipated return this year at Old Salem Farm in North Salem NY, it will be a star-studded lineup of world-class show jumpers that will compete for the 2012 title. The show, now just a couple of weeks away, is scheduled for September 12th through the 16th, 2012, with the famed $200,000 American Gold Cup as the highlight event on the final...

Wellington, FL - Great dressage is a sure thing in Wellington and Palm Beach County when the 2013 winter season rolls in, thanks to the jam-packed show schedule Wellington Classic Dressage (WCD) has created. Not only are these 16 weeks of shows a chance for riders to compete with some of the best dressage riders in the world, they are a spectators' and shoppers' paradise. WCD played host to more than 2,600 horse/rider entries with more than 6,500 rides during the 2012 season. The events...

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy captured the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals Championship at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - It was a night that will be well remembered, and a win well deserved. The Rolex Stadium was packed at the Kentucky Horse Park as the Handy Round brought the 2012 $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals to a close during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. One of the industry's most successful hunter...

Megan Moshontz-Bash and Pourkoipa Fontaine won the 1.35m Open Jumper class at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The morning was ablaze with fierce competition in the Rolex Stadium as the second day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show got underway at the Kentucky Horse Park. Time was the bottom line Thursday with riders speeding to break the beam with both accuracy and an unsurpassed pace. Shane Sweetnam and Solerina exceeded expectations in the 1.40m Open...

Ilan Bluman and Quatro won the 1.40m Open Jumper class at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - It was the start of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park, and talented horse and rider combinations gathered at the Rolex Stadium to showcase their speed and agility in the 1.35m and 1.40m Open Jumpers. Wednesday was all about accuracy and tripping the timers with a blazing fast time. It was Shane Sweetnam and Kalle who delivered the 1.35m...

The ninth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Western Dressage is a new and growing discipline in the horse world. People are talking about it everywhere. At North American Western Dressage we answer questions every day about what it is, how you do it, what you wear, what your horse wears, bits, reins, helmets, levels of tests and competition, movements and how you do them and a myriad of other things. Answering these questions could be a full time job for any one of our...