Sunny Drescher and Sting on their way to a HITS Equitation Championship win at HITS Ocala (ESI Photography) Ocala, Fla. - It was a picturesque evening under the lights of the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium for the return of the HITS Equitation Championship. High school senior Sunny Drescher, of Hinesburg, Vermont, and her own Sting proved that determination and drive pay off, moving up five spots from the 2014 event, to take home the blue ribbon and top honors. After ten weeks of qualifying...

Waco, Texas. - Little change was seen in the latest National Collegiate Equestrian Association national team rankings, as determined by the NCEA Selection Committee and announced on Tuesday. Auburn and Texas A&M were the only ranked NCEA squads in action last week. The Aggies defeated the Tigers in College Station and the two squads switched spots in the latest rankings. Texas A&M is now ranked No. 4, while Auburn is No. 6. The 2015 NCEA Championship will take place April 15-18 at the...

Lexington, Ky. - USA Equestrian Trust is pleased to announce it is now accepting proposals from IRS-registered equine non-profit organizations for its 2015 grants program. In 2014, the Trust awarded nearly $300,000 to help fund nearly 20 projects. To submit an application, visit trusthorses.org and complete the online form. Any organization applying must submit copies of its IRS non-profit determination letter and most recent Form 990, as well as a proposed budget for its project. The deadline...

Thermal, Calif. - Jamie Azcarraga, of Mexico City, Mexico, and his Anton Radio Formula, claimed Sunday's AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by MortgageCall, which is the first jewel of the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping. Azcarraga was one of only three riders out of a total field of 44 in the first round and only five in the jump-off who rode double-clear at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward, who went first in the fast-paced jump-off on...

Laura Graves and Verdades (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, Fla. - Laura Graves (USA) and Verdades will clearly be a force to be reckoned with this season, as the duo continues to improve and impress. In just their second show back since the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) this past August, the pair scored a remarkable 76.680% in the FEI Grand Prix CDI-W 3*, presented by Today's Equestrian and Diane and George Fellows, to start competition in the Large Tour off with a bang at Week 10...

Matthew Metell and Cyon Z Won 1.30-1.35m Jumper Class at The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour (Shannon Bower/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, Fla. - The Ridge at Wellington's Turf Tour returned to International Polo Club (IPC) Palm Beach to kick off the tenth week of competition. While the morning saw some unexpected showers, the afternoon brightened up and competitors flocked to the expansive polo fields to try their hand against some of Wellington's most competitive jumpers. It was a...

Waco, Texas. - The National Collegiate Equestrian Association has announced its latest national team rankings, as determined by the NCEA Selection Committee and released on Tuesday. Each of the top-three spots remain the same from last week as South Carolina is No. 1, Georgia is No. 2 and Baylor is No. 3. Auburn moves up to No. 4 this week and Fresno State is No. 5. Texas A&M is the nation’s sixth-ranked team, while TCU is No. 7 and SMU is No. 8. Oklahoma State (No. 9) and Kansas...

Duluth, Ga. - Merial, a leader in the animal health care industry, announced today it completed its acquisition of LEGEND® (hyaluronate sodium) and MARQUIS® (15% w/w ponazuril) from Bayer HealthCare. Merial had announced the agreement with Bayer on December 17, 2014. The addition of these two products to the Merial portfolio solidifies the company’s position as a leader in performance horse health care. “We are committed to providing horse owners with proven, safe and...

Adrienne Lyle on Fortune and Fame (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, Fla. - Sunday was an exciting day at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), host of the Week 9 Palm Beach Dressage Derby's final day of competition. For the first time at AGDF, a Derby Exhibition class was organized, providing a unique opportunity for spectators and fans to further appreciate the sport of dressage. Adrienne Lyle (USA) ultimately won the class, followed by Christoph Koschel (GER), Karen Pavicic...

Ben Maher and Diva II (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Great Britain's Ben Maher and Diva II jumped to victory in the $372,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI-W 5*, presented by Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Saturday night at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The pair topped a three-horse jump-off with Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Fibonacci 17 in second and Laura Kraut (USA) with Cedric third. Alan Wade's (IRL) course under the lights tested all of the horses and riders...