Photo by ESI Photography (Tracy Fenney was the star of the show at HITS Culpeper winning the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby and the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix. ) The road to the Pfizer Million passed right through the heart of Virginia's horse country for the HITS Culpeper July horse shows and saw two major contenders in the race for the top prize in the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix pull off a pair of big wins at HITS Commonwealth Park, in Culpeper, VA. Aaron Vale got the party started during the...

Photo by Flashpoint Photography (Jennifer Ramsey and Cielo B captured the $7,500 Open Jumper Classic. ) The Charleston Summer Classics’ final week of competition at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island, SC, found most attendees weren't so anxious to head home, but rather thinking of extending their stay at nearby Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island beach resorts. Sunny skies and ocean breezes provided another perfect backdrop last week for not only competition in the arenas, but at area...

Photo by Flashpoint Photography (Jennifer Ramsey and Cielo B captured the $7,500 Open Jumper Classics. ) Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island, SC, welcomed exhibitors to something truly special in horse showing. The Charleston Summer Classics, a Boutique Horse Show produced by The Classic Company, began its two-week run by offering lots of Southern Charms. Returning to the historical Low Country area for a second year, Bob Bell, Chairman of the Summer Classic continued the rebuilding...

Photo by Flashpoint Photography (Shakira do Jacare and owner Sarah Owen during the retirement ceremony.) Shakira do Jacare, the brilliant 14-year-old Brazilian-bred chestnut mare owned by Sarah Owen and Muny Sunk Stables officially retired from the sport of show jumping in an emotional ceremony during the 2010 Atlanta Summer Classics. Dubbed the “Queen of Speed” by her competitors, Shakira’s presence alone at many a grand prix was enough to rattle the nerves of most seasoned jumpers. However,...

Photo by Flashpoint Photography (Daniel Geitner and Sympa) Classic Company’s Atlanta Summer Finale week was chocked full of big action, but the highlight was the debut of the Open Musical Freestyle Equitation Classic on Saturday evening under the bright lights of the former Olympic arena. Horses, riders, and the masses watching were all tapping toes to the various beats. Brought to life by Classic Company President Bob Bell, the Musical Freestyle, open to both adults and juniors, gave...

Courtesy KWPN-NA (KWPN-NA keurings are inspections of breeding stock. Both young horses and mature horses are presented. Pictured---Brooklynne and Jody Cunningham) Breeders devote their lives, energy and hopes to producing world-class sport horses that will compete at the top levels of dressage, eventing, jumping and driving. One of the best tools available to help breeders in their quest is the keuring, or inspection, of breeding stock. The 2010 KWPN of North America (Royal Dutch Warmblood...

Kyndall Harper and Whiz Bang Boom (Waltenberry Photo) Dressage In Austria at the Fritzen CDI4*, Chris Hickey and Cabana Boy finished seventh in the Prix St. Georges and eighth in the Intermediaire I. Riding in the Grand Prix for Special, Tina Konyot and Calecto V scored a 69.02% to finish fourth and were then seventh in the Grand Prix Special. In the Grand Prix for Freestyle, Catherine Haddad guided new partner Winyamaro to a fifth place finish, the pair scored a 71.55% in the Grand Prix...

Photo Courtesy Equine Resources International (John Nicholson) Pfizer Animal Health and American Horse Publications (AHP) presented John Nicholson with the ninth annual Equine Industry Vision Award at a ceremonial breakfast held during the AHP 2010 40th Anniversary Seminar in Lexington, KY. Established in 2002, the Equine Industry Vision Award was the first of its kind to showcase innovation and recognize ingenuity and service across the entire equine market. Nicholson has earned this honor for...

Photo by Flashpoint Photography (Elizabeth Boyd and Brunello.) The summer season arrived early with plenty of sunshine and blue skies to kick off two weeks of heated competition at the Georgia International Horse Park. “This has been some start-up week—great weather, exciting competition, and new class debuts!” said Bob Bell, president of the Classic Company. Week one was designated a World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) event and as such hosted both the United States HUnter Jumper...

Candice King and Skara Glen's Davos (Erin Cowgill) Dressage In Quebec, Canada at the Parc Equestre de Blainville, the Dressage at Blainville CDI3* took place, showcasing world-class dressage talent from all across North America. In the Grand Prix, Lauren Sammis and Sagacious HF finished with a score of 66.596% to leave them second, just behind winner Victoria Winter (CAN) who scored 66.681% aboard Proton. Sammis and Sagacious HF debuted their new Yanni themed freestyle, scoring a 73.20%, once...