Courtesy NRHA (Tim McQuay and Dun Gotta Gun at the 2004 Tulsa Classic (shown here). The pair recently won the USEF Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup.) Lexington, KY – Reining icon Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX, won the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Open Reining Championship Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup in Gifford, IL, on Saturday, March 19. Riding Dun Gotta Gun owned by Jerry Kimmel, McQuay made it look easy receiving the top score of 228.5 besting the field of...

Beate Kuska-Shart and Luciano of Malibu Equestrian Estates in Acton, CA, rode the only double clear rounds to claim the jackpot of the Lucky Sevens $77,700 Grand Prix. Sponsored by Nutrena and Michelob, the grand prix was the highlight of the Winter Series finale, with a starting field of 40 tough competitors vying for top honor in this tournament of champions. Renowned course designer Michel Vaillancourt produced what at first glance appeared a rather uncomplicated layout, however it required...

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...

Lexington, KY —Aaron Ralston captured the win in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Open Reining Championship Qualifier at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO on Monday, January 10. The International Reining Competition (CRI) was the second in the USEF series, but the first for the Carbondale, CO resident, who defeated a group of veterans on Smart Paul Olena. “It’s amazing to be able to compete with the likes of these guys,” said Ralston. “I...

Oklahoma City, OK —Setting the pace for the rest of the world, the two reiners representing the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) made history December 2, winning the first Gold and Silver Medals ever awarded at the inaugural FEI World Reining Masters, presented by Netjets. Bringing home the Gold in the open division, Todd Crawford of Blanchard, OK, and Matt Dillon Dun It (owned by 3 Peaks Ranch) finished with a top score of 220.5. The win entitled the pair to $17,906.25 in...

Kansas City, MO —Kelsey Nicole Smith, 17, of Delafield, Wisconsin, was crowned champion of the 2004 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Medal Finals, held November 20, as part of the UPHA/American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, Missouri. Riding Chimere (Chestnut American Saddlebred mare, Periaptor—RHR Fury’s Wild Flame), Smith topped the class of 31 entries in the two-phase competition that required both rail work and patterns in both...

Temecula, CA —Adding only four show jumping penalties to their dressage score, Shannon Lilley of San Jose, CA, and High Mountain Road , owned by Dayna Lynd-Pugh of Tres Pinos, CA, won the USEF National One Star Eventing Championship and the Richard D. Collins Trophy, with a total score of 52.3. The Championship took place at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event and Horse Trials in Temecula, CA, November 4-7. Claiming another victory over the weekend was Jamie Lawrence of...

Prior to the $25,000 Open Jumper, the evening session opened with the second annual Dressage Night, featuring the Continental Cup--a team Musical Freestyle competition. Riders at Grand Prix, Intermediaire I and First Level made up each of three teams. The riders on the Park Avenue Team won the Gold medal with a total score of 239. The team consisted of Cynthia Payne of Jupiter, FL, aboard Laredo, with a score of 81% in the Grand Prix; Gabriel Armando of Argentina who resides in Flemington, NJ,...

Flashpoint Photography (Joie Gatlin and SunCal''s King) Joie Gatlin of San Juan Capistrano, CA, riding SunCal’s King, owned by Canyon Capital Insurance, won the $25,000 Open Jumper at the evening session of the Metropolitan National Horse Show Wednesday night in New York City. Gatlin topped a roster of 12 horses and earned $7,500. The Table II.2b class required riders to clear the Linda Allen-designed course of 11 jumps in order to move on immediately to the eight-obstacle jump-off. Six...

Harrisburg, PA – Megan Young, 18, of Jacksonville, FL, defeated a field full of the nation’s top junior riders to win the 2004 USEF/Pessoa National Hunter Seat Medal Final, on Sunday, October 17th, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Judges Sue Ashe of Wellington, FL, and Mary Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, scored the three rounds of competition based on equitation and a rider’s ability to ride with control, competency and compatibility. The USEF/Pessoa National Hunter...