Swiss Win, Belgium and Germany Tie For Close Second U.S Still Second in Overall League Standings From: Louise Parkes/FIE Rotterdam, the Netherlands - Switzerland came out on top in a super-tight finish to the Dutch leg of the 2005 Samsung Super League series in Rotterdam today and now stands at the top of the league table. It would be difficult to imagine a more exciting conclusion to any show jumping competition with last man in, Pius Schwizer, running into trouble at the end of the course but...

St. Gallen in Switzerland plays host to the third leg of the 2005 Samsung Super League series on Friday, June 3, and the Swiss team will be keen to keep the home supporters happy with a good result there. Lying fifth on the leaderboard after the first two legs of the series in La Baule and Rome, they have coped well so far in this, their first Super League season, and Chef d'Equipe Rolf Grass will choose his side from Fabio Crotta, Markus Fuchs, Christina Liebherr, Beat Mandli and Niklaus...

Jessica Heidemann, 24, of Bellingham, WA, captured the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) at Galway Downs, CA, on April 3 on her 14-year-old Thoroughbred-cross gelding, French Twist, with a score of 58.4. Heidemann took over the lead after the overnight leader, Lauren Whitlock, 20, of Rohnert Park, CA, and her 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Kipling, lowered the oxer at fence seven to drop to second place on 60.1 penalties. Sara Mittleider, 19, Kuna, ID, with the 10-year-old Thoroughbred...

Brazilian Sergio Campos riding Shakira Do Jacare opened fast and kept it in top gear to win Sunday's $25,000 Grand Prix during week two of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Twelve horses mastered Jerry Dougherty's first-round course. Campos and Shakira Do Jacare clocked in with the fastest time by almost three seconds, making them the pair to watch in the jump-off. "She's fast, very fast," says Campos of the eight-year-old chestnut mare he brought over from Brazil last winter. Canadian Olympian...

Riders From Six Leagues Have Qualified, Seven Leagues Still Competing Six out of 13 FEI Show Jumping World Cup Leagues have completed their qualifying seasons for the 2005 FEI Budweiser World Cup Jumping Final, April 20-24, 2005, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV. The competition remains fierce in the other seven Leagues as riders around the world vie for the right to compete in Las Vegas along with those who have already secured themselves a place in the 27th annual FEI World Cup...

On August 5-7, 2005, the Over the Walls Horse Trials will take place in Hardwick, MA. Riders and spectators alike will enjoy the marvelous facilities and beautiful grounds at Great Meadowbrook Farm, the site of the event. With top-notch competition taking place, a trade fair with numerous booths offering an abundance of equine products and gifts for sale, everyone will find something to enjoy. Eventing is the equestrian version of a triathlon: one rider and one horse compete together in...

USEF Honors its Stars of 2004 at Athletes’ Luncheon and Pegasus Awards Dinner Louisville, KY —Friday proved to be a day of widespread celebration at the 2005 USEF Annual Meeting as two special events brought audiences to their feet with thunderous applause and accolades for athletes and honorees. During the Friday Recognition Luncheon in honor of Athletes and Owners, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation presented the coveted Whitney Stone Memorial Cup to one of the...

Todd Minikus of the United States flew to victory riding Flier in the $60,000 CN World Cup Grand Prix held Wednesday, November 10, at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto, ON, Canada. From the original starting field of 23 riders, only five advanced to the jump-off over the course set by Olympic master Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Minikus of Wellington, FL, was one of only two riders to post double-clear rounds in the jump-off, stopping the timers a full two seconds ahead of second-placed...

Allyson Blais and Rocca K were the first of four to go clean over a tough, twisting course designed by Pierre Jolicoeur. The pair went on to top of the field of 30 in the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Children’s Jumper Finals, held at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA. “The first course was very difficult. You would think you were turning right and you would have to turn left,” explained Blais, 16, who went third in the order and was followed by numerous knockdowns,...

As I sift through weekly e-mails and phone messages, I’m beginning to realize the United States Equestrian Federation’s best kept secret is no longer a best kept secret. Only a few months from its conception, and already, details of the USEF purchasing program are running through the rumor mill faster than juicy tabloid gossip. I should hardly be surprised. When money is involved, especially this much money, news tends to spread fast; and while we’re not working overtime to keep the news under...