So much has happened today I'm not sure where to start. This morning started with another run on the strip. More illicit activities witnessed and I was a little later so there was loads more activity. Made for some quick thinking at times. Back to the venue… the day got off to a very disappointing start for the dressage riders, my heart just broke for Jan Ebeling and Leslie Morse, both had huge disappointments. Jan's mare, Rafalca, simply couldn't take the atmosphere and...

Hong Kong, China - The US show jumpers were all business when they returned to the main arena at Sha Tin tonight for the first round of the Nations Cup, the US riders finished on 12 faults, tied with Switzerland for the lead. Sapphire was Perfect for McLain Ward (Shannon Brinkman) Bookended by two members of the 2004 Gold medal winning team, Team USA’s performance was impressive, although somewhat unpredictable. McLain Ward and Sapphire started it off for the US but they had plenty of...

Steffen Peters and Ravel (Shannon Brinkman) Hong Kong, China – The dressage riders temporarily reclaimed the ring from the show jumpers tonight at Sha Tin and although Germany continued to rule… the Americans put in an impressive showing. Two US riders were in the fold and Steffen Peters and Ravel (who is owned by Aikiko Yamazaki) were first of the pair in the ring. Their test was brilliant, with no mistakes, Peters did a masterful job in the piaffe and passage and guided the...

Jennie Brannigan and Cooper (Kenneth Braddick) By Joanie Morris Parker, CO - Despite another very busy day of competition at the 2008 CN FEI North American Junior/Young Ride Championships at the Colorado Horse Park presented by Gotham North, only one medal was decided. The North American Individual Young Rider Gold Medalist Katie Johnson rode a stellar test on Millenium to take top honors on a score of 69.050%. The 19-year-old rider from El Cajon, CA was a member of the Region 7 Gold medal...

The First Ever Reining Gold Medalists at NAJYRC Celebrating (Kenneth Braddick ) By Joanie Morris Parker, CO - California's Zone 10 impressively swept the two Team Jumping Championships at the 2008 FEI CN North American Junior/ Young Rider Championships at the Colorado Horse Park presented by Gotham North. The juniors got the ball rolling and jumped to the top of the Junior Jumping Team Championship with three impressive clears in the second round to move up from third. The team, made up of...

Region 5 Junior Dressage Team (Kenneth Braddick) By Joanie Morris Parker, CO - After all the dressage horses sailed through the first horse inspection on Tuesday, Wednesday brought the first championship day at the 2008 FEI CN North American Junior and Young Rider Championships at the Colorado Horse Park Presented By Gotham North. The junior dressage riders led the way and their division showcased stylish performances throughout the junior team test. Region 5 prevailed in a close battle that...

Steffen Peters and Ravel (Amy McCool) San Juan Capistrano, CA – There was no one busier than Steffen Peters at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions today and he saved his best performance for last. Peters rode Ravel to another win in the third leg of the USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship (which also serves as the USEF Selection Trial for Dressage) with a score of 75.25%. The 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding continues to impress everyone on hand at...

Michelle Gibson and Don Angelo (Amy McCool) San Juan Capistrano, CA – The first day of the USEF National Intermediaire Dressage Championship showcased the top horse/rider combinations in the country at the fiercely competitive Intermediaire level. Some of the most exciting up-and-coming horses performed the Prix St. Georges test in the arena at The Oaks Blenheim facility this afternoon. Two riders, who duel on a regular basis, ended the day separated by only four-tenths of a percent. Last...

Lexington, KY ­– Becky Holder made it very clear that she was not relinquishing her grasp on the top spot at the 2008 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event as she flew around the cross-country course with Courageous Becky Holder and Courageous Comet (Mike McNally) Comet. “He was foot perfect.” said Holder after her round. “He was just absolutely on his game for every minute of it.” The 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding flashed the turn of foot that made him a success...

Wellington, FL - Severe weather on Thursday March 6 caused the postponement of the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup which a also served as the fourth leg of the USEF Selection Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com (The Top Three Riders at the USEF Selection Trials for Show Jumping (L-R: Laura Kraut, Nicole Shahinian-Simpson, Will Simpson)) Trials for Show Jumping at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The Selection Trial began on Friday morning at 8 a.m. The grounds crew worked tirelessly and...