Lauren Hester and Warinde B (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - With only nine career grand prix wins under her belt, the pressure was on as Lauren Hester took the stage with Warinde B in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. The only American rider to advance to the jump-off, hometown favorite Hester gave it her all to earn the win, besting veteran five-star riders Pablo Barrios and Shane Sweetnam. "I'm on cloud nine, and I'm really...

Meagan Nousz and Willow galloped to victory in the $25,000 Amalaya Investments Welcome Stake at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. (Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, Mich. - Meagan Nusz and Willow began their partnership three years ago, but it was not until just three months ago that Nusz and the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding really hit their stride. They showcased their winning relationship on Friday by clinching the first place prize in the $25,000 Amalaya Investments...

Taylor Land and Nepal (Flying Horse Photography) Mill Spring, N.C. - Taylor Land of Atlanta, GA, and Nepal collected a first place finish in the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) today, completing the jump-off in 40.795 seconds for the win. Luis Larrazabal of Wellington, FL, finished in second place aboard Quintus Fabius, crossing through the timers in 41.623 seconds, while Bryn Sadler of Santa Fe, NM, and Cezarro earned third with a time of 42.012...

Ann Misenheimer and Cornerstone (The Book LLC) North Salem, N.Y. - Ann Misenheimer and her own Cornerstone were presented as Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champions after topping the 50 and Over Division on Thursday at Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running May 10-15 and May 17-22 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. On the Grand Prix Field, Mattias Tromp of North Salem, NY, topped the $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m aboard KM Whatever RV for owner Bayaert Farm, Inc. Misenheimer, who hails from...

The story of the $30,000 Walter Oil & Gas Grand Prix couldn’t have had a better script: Hometown girl returns to where it all began and rides her dream horse to victory. That girl was Nusz and Willow. Photo copyright Tricia Booker Photography. Meagan Nusz, and the horse was Willow, a mount she reunited with at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show after two years apart. “I’m thrilled. It’s a nice ending to the story,” she said with a smile. “My best friend,...

Ocala, Fla. - As the curtains closed on Ocala Week VII, jumpers competed for a blue-ribbon victory in Sunday's $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix, $7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic and $1,000 S.A. Comunale Adult Jumper Classic. Harold Chopping and Basje winning the $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix. (ESI Photography) $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix In an exciting ten-horse jump-off, Harold Chopping from Southern Pines, North Carolina, riding Basje, owned by Kendra Bullington, scored...

By Esther Hahn An enthusiastic crowd in Las Vegas cheered each rider who entered the arena at the South Point Hotel and Casino, but it was the American Peter Lutz and Robin de Ponthual that claimed the final winning praise by beating a field of 30 to claim the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League qualifier at CSI3* Las Vegas National. Peter Lutz (USA) and Robin de Ponthual claim victory of the $100,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League...

John French in his presentation for Leading Hunter Rider with WIHS Executive Director Bridget Love Meehan, Dr. Betsee Parker, and Archie Cox (Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington, D.C. – The 2015 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued with its second day of competition Wednesday featuring the presentation of championship honors in the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. Representing the west coast, rider and trainer...

Chapter 11: Saying Goodbye to the Pan American Games I am half the man I used to be. No, I have not suddenly gone from “built for the next Ice Age” to “ready for camping in the Lut Desert”, but rather I made a schoolboy error and paid the price. A couple of us decided to escape from the hotel and go for a walk on a local Canadian “trail” – the sun was out and the was a pleasant breeze blowing so the mosquitos were not out to play; the schoolboy error...

Hayley Barnhill and Zephire (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, MI - July 3, 2015 - Hayley Barnhill has competed at the Flintfields Horse Park for four years, riding to the top of the ranks, but always falling just shy of the first place finish. Friday afternoon, that all changed during the opening week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festval. Barnhill posted the only double clear ride of the $25,000 Antares Welcome Stake with Zephire, owned by Barnhill Enterprises, LLC, riding to...