The success continued more than 1000 miles away in Belgium where, as the lone American, she swept the CSI-YJPCH-A Nieuwpoort, August 21-23. Kessler won two classes each day. On Friday she was the fastest of three clear rounds in the Speed Class. With Ice d’Ancoeur she zoomed to victory, almost six seconds faster than Julian Kok from Holland. She then had another convincing win in the 1.30m class with Ligist, where she was again lightning fast and was only one of two clears in the four horse...

Lexington, KY – The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is renowned as the toughest cross country track in the world. 2009 didn’t disappoint. Phillip Dutton and TruLuck (Kit Houghton/FEI ) Capt. Mark Phillips course required both bravery and accuracy, there were problems around the track and the most troublesome fence: Land Rover Discovery Valley (fence 6) caught out more than 20 horses and riders. American pair Phillip Dutton and TruLuck weren’t among them. The most dependable...

On September 18, 2009, the Kentucky National Indoor Horse Show will make history with the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix. This World Cup Qualifier will be the very first grand prix held in the new indoor arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The arena was constructed for the upcoming 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as well as many future equestrian competitions at the park. The $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix will kick off at 7:30 p.m., and general admission tickets are free to the...

Former United States Equestrian Team (USET) Chairman Finn M.W. Caspersen, whose competitive nature paid off in a shining multitude of medals for America, died September 7 in Rhode Island. He was 67. "His leadership over his 20 years with the team was extraordinary. It brought the team to an entirely new level and we can't be anything but forever grateful to Finn," said Jane Forbes Clark, the USET Foundation's president and CEO. During Caspersen's tenure, which began in 1982 when he was elected...

The 2009 World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS), held annually in conjunction with the Kentucky State Fair, was held at Louisville's Freedom Hall from Sunday, August 23, through Saturday, August 29. There was plenty of excitement at WCHS this year, as new World's Grand Champions were crowned in the Five-Gaited and Fine Harness World's Grand Championships, while the 2008 Three-Gaited World's Grand Champion repeated as such in 2009. Among a formidable field of competitors, as in each class,...

On a beautiful New England day, the 20th Annual Jumper Classic, featuring the $75,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix, kicked off by welcoming riders of all ages to New England's premiere equestrian venue at the Silver Oak Equestrian Center. The Jumper Classic is the only American Grand Prix Association-sanctioned grand prix to take place in New England. The event features more than 72 classes and $200,000 in prize money. The Jumper Classic offers an array of divisions designed to attract...

Lexington, KY – Outstanding lived up to every letter in her name and demonstrated the presence and conformation for handler John Ducharme to be named best 2-year-old filly and Overall Champion at the 2009 Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF National Hunter Breeding Championship West Coast Phase. The West Coast class was held at Showpark All Seasons Summer Tournament in Del Mar, CA on August 29 and judged by Carleton Brooks and Richard Taylor. The bay filly (Popeye K x Delilah) beat a tough field of young...

Hunters will dominate both rings on Monday, September 27, at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, MD, but it will be the outdoor arena that showcases the industry's future stars. The Future Hunters division has been a great addition to the Capital Challenge since its introduction nine years ago. Future Hunter horses may not be flawless, but that raw talent gives us a hint of what's to come in later professional hunter divisions. The division has provided professionals with an...

Jeffery Welles Claims $7,500 Prudential Douglas Elliman 1.45m Open Jumper Win Jeffery Welles did it again, winning his second major class this week at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Welles, of Wellington, FL, piloted Tango to top honors in the $7,500 Prudential Douglas Elliman 1.45m Open Jumper class. On Tuesday, he won the $7,500 1.40m Open Jumper Class aboard his veteran mount, Armani. The 34th Hampton Classic, one of the nation's premiere show jumping competitions hosted hunter/jumper...

Each year endurance riders from around the U.S. and Canada gather to compete for the American Endurance Ride Conference’s (AERC) top honors in the National Championship rides. This year, tiny Greenville, CA, (population 1,150) will be the launching point for the 100-mile ride on September 11 and 50-mile ride on September 13. Midway between Redding and Reno, the Northern California location has all that riders ask of a trail: elevation changes, gorgeous views, shallow creek crossings, and...