Dear All, I have writers block and am not able to let my fingers dance upon the keyboard and compose a literary repartee of what has happened over the last few days. So, bing bong here you go in bullet and pictorial format: • Left Rio • Arrived in New Jersey • Gas (Petrol) tank on empty • In tray akin to Kangchenjunga but could have been K2 or, heaven forbid, The Big E. • In tray ignored • Spent weekend planting shrubs on 80 degree bank at back of house (could be...

McLain Ward and HH Carlos Z Win $75,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier (Shawn McMillen) Bridgehampton, N.Y. - Two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward edged out 17-year-old Lucy Deslauriers to win the $75,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Qualifier, presented by Longines for the second consecutive year at the 41st annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. Deslauriers went second of the eight who reached the jump-off by riding clear over the Alan Wade-designed first-round course. She set the mark...

Wayne, Ill. – Two divisions apart of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions determined their champions on Saturday. Bebe Davis and Feivel Mousekewitz claimed the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship title, while Jenna Upchurch and Greystoke earned top honors in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship. In the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship division, Hannah Irons and Bohdjan took the early lead with a steady ride in the FEI Pony Team Test....

Wayne, Ill. – The three of four divisions of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions performed their first test on Friday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Anna Buffini finished one-two with Sundayboy and Wilton II in The FEI Grand Prix 16-25 Test to lead in the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today. Nicholas Hansen and Ritter Benno won the FEI Young Rider Team Test of the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National...

Manuel Torres and Christofolini H on their way to a $30,000 Purina Animal Nutrition win. (ESI Photography) Culpeper, Va. - Riders and horses descended on the Grand Prix Ring at HITS Commonwealth Park for the main event of the Winston National, the $30,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix. Only one horse and rider could go home with the win, but in this case, one deserving equestrian took home both the first and second prize. There was no slowing down Manuel Torres during the fourth week of...

Traverse City, Mich. - Aug. 19, 2016 - Mattias Tromp (USA) of Beyaert Farm Inc. led the victory gallop in Friday's highlight event, the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2*, at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF). The 21-year-old rider from North Salem, New York, piloted Avon, a mount he just acquired in April, to grab the blue ribbon and win their first FEI class together. Mattias Tromp and Avon led the victory gallop on Friday in the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2* during Week Six of the Great...

Lexington, Ky. – August 18, 2016 – Scott Stewart’s name is synonymous with winning hunters, and Thursday at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show was no different. Stewart had a total of seven entries that qualified for the final round in the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship, but it was Rivers Edge’s Storm Watch, who was in the lead after Wednesday’s second round with 520.5 points, who took home the prize. For the top thirty horse and rider combinations, it was...

Givrins, Switzerland – The U.S. Reining team delivered a great display of showmanship at the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, August 11-13, at the CS Ranch in Givrins, Switzerland. Team members Shane Brown, Troy Heikes, Kari Klingenberg, and Nick Valentine all had consistent performances throughout the Team and Individual competitions. They finished fifth in the team competition with a score of 646. Heikes placed seventh in the Individual Final on Saturday to lead the U.S....

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Excitement filled the air as the final day of dressage got underway at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Center on Monday. The top 18 competitors from eight nations competed in the Grand Prix Freestyle, the deciding competition for the Individual medals. Only three athletes from each nation were eligible to compete. After winning the Bronze medal with teammate Kasey Perry-Glass on Friday, Steffen Peters, Alison Brock, and Laura Graves entered...

Andrew Kocher and Zantos II won Sunday's $50,000 Grand Prix of Williamsburg CSI2* to wrap-up Week Five at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. (Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, Mich. - Aug. 14, 2016 - Week Five's feature event at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), the $50,000 Grand Prix of Williamsburg CSI2*, went to Andrew Kocher (USA) and brand new mount Zantos II. With only having ridden and competed the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding for less than a month,...