SAUGERTIES, NY – Darragh Kenny first saw Alpha VDL at the VDL Sport Horse Auction in Florida two years ago, and instantly knew he wanted to ride the then 7-year- old Dutch Warmblood gelding. Kenny had to be patient however, until this past January, for his wish to come true. The pair was quick to find their way to the top, winning the $50,000 Grand Prix during Week V at HITS before topping the field in Darragh Kenny’s partnership with Alpha VDL may not have come as soon as he would have...

Orchard Hills Dragonflyy in his winning "Best Young Pony" presentation (The Book LLC) Devon, P.A. - While junior competitors showed their equitation in Devon's famous Dixon Oval, the young hunter ponies competed in-hand in the Gold Ring on Thursday. The ponies showed in their respective age groups divided by gender, and the top ponies of all ages were then judged together for championship honors. The Best Young Pony was ultimately crowned overall. The Hunter Pony Championship for Fillies...

Laura Bowery and Vanhattan (The Book LLC) Old Salem, N.Y. - Although she had not competed for nine months, Laura Bowery didn't feel any jitters when she walked into the show ring this week. Having the ride on Vanhattan made it that much easier. She and the 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Manhattan owned by Kerry Anne LLC flew around the speed course, designed by Alan Wade of Ireland in 62.154 seconds to win the $3,000 Open Jumper 1.30m. Second place in the class went to Wiplala and Richard...

Kelley Farmer and Mindful (Emily Riden/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - May 10, 2014 - When Larry Glefke and Kensel LLC purchased Mindful just a few weeks ago they did so with one intention - providing a top hunter derby contender for Kelley Farmer. Mindful proved tonight that he definitely fits that bill, as he and Farmer earned the victory in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Finishing in second place in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse...

Article origionally published at www.useventing.com . Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz (StockImageServices.com) Allentown, N.J. - Two days of dressage have wrapped up at the Jersey Fresh International CCI*** at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown, with Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz throwing down the gauntlet with a 41.6 for the early lead out of 24 starters in the CCI*** division. Pollard, 33 of Dalton, Ga. and “Mango,” a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse (OBOS...

Mickie Sage and Harlu. Photo by Horsin' Around Photography Parker, C.O. - The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby and the Mini Prix both were set to run at the same time during Spring Warm-Up II at the Colorado Horse Park. Professional Mickie Sage planned to compete horses in both classes putting her a little under the gun. "I didn't have a lot of time to learn the derby course," said Sage. "I didn't even walk the course. I went in the ring and asked the other trainers what the lines...

Christopher Payne and Truman (Shawn McMillen Photography) Lexington, Ky. - Maypine Farm's Truman has bundles of talent and, as of Thursday, a Kentucky Spring Horse Show championship tricolor to his name. This morning, Christopher Payne rode the 7-year-old gelding to the First Year Green Hunter championship title at the Kentucky Horse Park. Truman and Payne came in to the day with a first and third place finish over fences under their belts, sitting neck-and-neck in the points race with...

Phillip Dutton (left) and wife Evie (right) accepted a 2014 Range Rover Evoque from Kim McCullough, the Land Rover of North America vice president for branding, at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover. (Ben Radvani photo) Lexington, Ky., - Phillip Dutton won the Land Rover Best Ride of the Day award on Saturday at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Land Rover. His prize was a two-year lease on a 2013 Range Rover Evoque, a car he drove away on Saturday...

McLain Ward & Rothchild (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Antwerp, Belgium - McLain Ward (USA) and Rothchild blasted to the top of the new season ranking winning the Longines Global Champions Tour of Antwerp Grand Prix in front of a buzzing, sell-out crowd this evening. Second place went to LGCT fan favourite Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) with Casall ASK and third to a thrilled Constant van Paesschen (BEL) with Citizenguard Toscan de Sainte. The first leg of the prestigious LGCT series was a truly...

Kevin Babington and Shorapur on their way to the top in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis (©ESI Photography) Culpeper, Vt. - Nothing could stop Kevin Babington at the Commonwealth National in Culpeper, Virginia this weekend. He kicked off a win streak with a blue ribbon on Friday in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix with his 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Mark Q before piloting Shorapur, LLC’s Shorapur to the top spot in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented...