Parker, Colo. - The Western Dressage Association® of America (WDAA) celebrated another exciting landmark in its journey, hosting its second Western Dressage World Championship Show Nov. 1-2 in Tulsa, Oklahoma! The weekend was captivating as the two-day event experienced 350 percent growth from last year and filled four arenas with more than 430 scheduled rides featuring all aspects of the discipline. Riders came from 21 states, four Canadian provinces and two overseas countries and...

John Bragg and Social Hour (ESI Photography) Thermal, Calif. - The Hunter Rings at HITS Desert Horse Park took center stage Friday afternoon during Week II of the National Sunshine Series. A fun and relaxed setting was ideal for those waiting to take flight in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. Twenty-seven glided quietly over the course as competitors basked in the sun, enjoying moments of camaraderie about the trip they just finished. The course was set with intentions of giving riders a...

Lexington, Ky. - Patti Blackmore (Louisiana, Mo., Region 4) placed third at last year's Finals in the First Level Adult Amateur division, and this year she improved upon that performance to claim the Second Level Adult Amateur Championship aboard her own Hanoverian gelding Rubico (by Rotspon). As the only combination to break seventy percent, they earned a decisive win with a total score of 71.905%. "I breathed a sigh of relief after our counter canter portion of the test," laughed...

(Arabian Horse Association) Aurora, Colo. - Sometimes all it takes is a little family time to make a huge difference in the lives of others. The Arabian horse community is family in every sense of the word. Members may not be blood-related but they share a common bond – love for one another, love for their horses and a desire to see others join their family. The U.S. National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship is so much more than a horse show. It is more than ribbons, trophies and...

Asia Manning of HITS presents Augusta Iwasaki and Bit of Laughter with the $3,000 West Coast Pony Hunter Final awards, including the Cymraeg Rainshower Memorial Trophy (ESI Photography) Thermal, Calif. - Week I of the National Sunshine Series came to a close on Sunday afternoon as Augusta Iwasaki and Bit of Laughter took home first place in the $3,000 West Coast Pony Hunter Final. The pair, scoring 87 and 80 for a total 167, was presented with the iconic Cymraeg Rainshower Memorial Trophy,...

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing 25 Program continued to identify and educate top up-and-coming riders in 2014. The comprehensive program incorporated all aspects of horsemanship in intensive winter training sessions, and continues education with Team Coach David O’Connor throughout the competition season helped riders reach new heights in the competition arena. Meghan O’Donoghue (Carbondale, Ill.) has excelled in the Eventing 25...

Karl Cook and Basimodo on their way to win the $75,000 Sunshine Series Grand Prix, at National Sunshine Series Week I (ESI Photography) Thermal, Calif. - With an enthusiastic crowd in attendance at HITS Desert Horse Park, Karl Cook and Basimodo won Saturday’s $75,000 Sunshine Series Grand Prix. Suspense grew amongst spectators as four entered the jump off, but Cook was confident in his partner, knowing the best is yet to come. “I loved how Basimodo rode tonight. He has a lot of...

Lexington, Ky. - The National Horse Show is steeped in history, and the 2014 Grand Champion Junior Hunter is a horse that is not only adding to that history, but creating quite the legacy for himself as well. Tori Colvin and Ovation (Emily Riden/Phelps Media Group) "In the history of the [United States Equestrian Federation] and the [American Horse Show Association] there has never been a Small Junior Working Hunter that has won as many of the big ones as he has. You're looking at an animal...

Lexington, Ky. - The National Horse Show is steeped in history, and the 2014 Grand Champion Junior Hunter is a horse that is not only adding to that history, but creating quite the legacy for himself as well. Tori Colvin and Ovation (Emily Riden/Phelps Media) "In the history of the [United States Equestrian Federation] and the [American Horse Show Association] there has never been a Small Junior Working Hunter that has won as many of the big ones as he has. You're looking at an animal that...

Lexington, Ky. - Belgium's Olivier Philippaerts guided Armstrong Van de Kapel to victory on Thursday night at the 131st National Horse Show, topping a starting field of 42 and then a massive jump-off roster of 21 to win the marathon Copernicus Stables $75,000 International Open Jumpers, presented by the Coulter Family. In the dash for cash, Philippaerts was the only rider to break the 40 second barrier as he raced home in 39.35 seconds for the win. Olivier Philippaerts and Armstrong Van de...