The United States contingent was a force to be reckoned with at the Exquis World Dressage Masters finale in Hickstead, Great Britain. The CDI*** and CDI***** events took place July 23-26, running concurrently with the Longines Royal International Horse Show. Thursday saw the start of grand prix action with the CDI*** Grand Prix taking center stage. The U.S.’s Catherine Haddad and Kenneth Dryby put in dominant performances, finishing first and second respectively. Haddad’s winning ways continued...

The North American Young Riders Endurance ride took place on Friday, July 24. It was run concurrently with the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) and for the first time all three North American countries were represented. Held in the rolling hills of Henryville, IN, riders competed against the clock for team and individual medals. Heavy rains left the ride’s 75-mile course a bit more treacherous, requiring riders to be extra cautious. The Individual Gold and Silver...

Far Hills, New Jersey - It wasn’t an Olympic stadium, but those in the stands and along the rails at the Garden State Horse Show were thrilled to see two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner, McLain Ward, being driven around by a miniature horse, not much larger than a Great Dane. Handling the reins was 16 year-old Gary Johnson, one of the four Driver-Survivors representing sharingVillage Groups. Gary projected confidence as he cruised around the imposing Grand Prix jumps with Sammy, a 13-year old...

Team USA- North Central put in a comanding performance to take the Gold medal (Sportfot.com) Lexington, KY—Don’t let the “Free Hugs” sign pasted on the front of the team golf cart for the Reining Team USA-North Central fool you, this team came to the SmartPak™ FEI North American Young Rider Reining Championships to win - and win big they did. Securing the Team Gold in a very strong field, Team USA- North Central edged their rivals out for the top podium position....

Nicole DelGiorno and Lamborghini Dane (Flashpoint Photography) Lexington, KY—The 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North went out rocking with the Junior freestyle dressage tests. The top 15 Juniors came back to perform their choreographed routines in the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior & Young Rider Dressage Championships, and the crowds cheered them on under sunny Kentucky skies. After the scores were tallied, Nicole...

Maxance McManamy and Beacon Hill (Brant Gamma Photographery) Lexington, KY —Both the Team and Individual medals were decided today in three-day eventing as both the CCI** and CCI* riders returned to the arena to complete their show jumping test in the USEA North American Junior & Young Rider Eventing Championships. The leader board was shuffled on the cross-country course, so the Gold medal was up for grabs. Today was the final day of competition as show jumping wrapped up at the 2009...

Individual show jumping medalists Joelle Froese, Jennifer Waxman and Lucy Davis (Sportfot.com) Lexington, KY—The audience was in for a treat as both Junior and Young Riders laid it all on the line and put on a show during the CN North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by USHJA. In the juniors, it took two separate jump-offs to decide the winners of the Individual show jumping medals and all four horses and riders jumped their hearts out in an attempt to reign...

Lexington, KY - Jack Le Goff, the man who defined the Eventing Program in the United States passed away today, July 24, 2009, in France. The legendary horseman revolutionized the United States equestrian program and defined an era with medals and championships. Le Goff’s coaching record at international championships was exemplary. His teams won medals at four consecutive Olympic Games and three consecutive World Championships. He brought some of the biggest names in the sport over the last...

Fans of dressage were on point and the stakes were high as the Young Riders returned to perform a battle royale in the USDF/Platinum Performance NAJYRC Dressage Individual Championships. After battling the rain in the Team competition, the riders now had to deal with the heat as they prepared their horses for the next step in their journey at the 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior & Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC) presented by Gotham North. After receiving a 66.474% from the judges...

Dance and Gymnastics on Cantering Horses a Growing Spectator Sport at Kentucky Horse Park Equestrian vaulting came to the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time last week, with the United States Equestrian Federation and the American Vaulting Association crowning their national vaulting champions from July 9-12. “We’re excited to present the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championships in the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time, and to be part of the fabric of the Horse Capital of the World,”...