Todd Minikus and his ride Ultimo Van Ter Moude cruised past the star-studded field of 38 starters to secure $7,500 in prize money in Thursday's $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties. Course designer Doug Russell sliced the large first-round field to 12 for the jump-off, making it a very competitive race over fences. “I was happy to have 12 come back for the jump-off," said Russell. "To be honest with you, I thought we had the right 12 come back. None of them got scared and they all walked...

Much success in the show pen sent Brent Wright over the top in National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) lifetime earnings to earn a distinction many reiners only dream about. Wright has become the NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Rider. Wright’s triumph came at the 2008 National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC) in Katy, TX. He won the first go-round and tied for ninth in the Open Finals on Miss Rey O Shine, owned by Bahn Quarter Horses, LLC. He won over $43,000 at this year’s NRBC. According to...

Stadium Jumping, Inc., the nation's oldest and most respected producer of quality equestrian competitions, announced that they will host one of only two United States qualifying events for the 2008 FEI Children's International Jumping Final. This important event for riders 12 to 14 years of age will be held September 17-21, 2008, during the Wachovia Securities American Gold Cup at the Metro Parks Polo Field in Moreland Hills, OH. A similar event for West Coast riders will be held at the Oaks...

29 April 2008 Dear Members of the Equestrian Community, This past weekend at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day, Laine Ashker suffered a serious fall during the cross-country stage of the competition. She is currently in critical condition at the University of Kentucky hospital in Lexington. Laine’s horse and another involved in a separate accident had to be euthanized. These accidents come just a month after Darren Chiacchia, an Olympic rider, had a serious fall at an event in Tallahassee, Florida....

The participants for the 23rd FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final are ready and waiting, having all arrived at the ‘Brabanthallen stables in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, where the prestigious title will be awarded for the eighth time. This is the first truly international meet of the season, and with the Olympic Games looming in the not-so-distant future, eyes will be riveted on every performance, particularly when it comes to title defender Isabell Werth with powerful chestnut Warum Nicht FRH against home...

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation has announced that "Hong Kong by Night," a benefit held on February 8, 2008, at the International Polo Club in Wellington, FL, raised $500,000. Generous supporters contributed to the effort by purchasing tables for the dinner and by bidding on three once-in-a-lifetime trip packages in a live auction. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the U.S. equestrian teams competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. A sold-out event, Hong Kong by...

Horses Unlimited’s flagship stallion Pik L continued his winning ways at the 124th National Horse Show in Wellington, FL, with two wins at Intermediaire II. The handsome bay by Pik Bube II has won Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I classes at the most prestigious shows in the country and now continues into the large tour classes. His son Pikk Primero also competed and won in the young horse division. “I’ve never won at a show with both a stallion and his son or daughter,” said rider Mikala...

The Dutch Warmblood Studbook of North America (KWPN-NA) has had a golden year with KWPN registered horses bringing home top honors at the Pan American Games and the North American Junior Young Riders Championships (NAJYRC.) These horses featured diverse KWPN bloodlines, but showcased both the talent and the soundness that Dutch horses are known for. With horses as young as eight years old, like double Pan Am dressage medalist Sagacious HF, and as experienced as 17-year-old Douwe, Individual...

Harrisburg, PA ­- Nearly 300 young riders earned the privilege to compete for the coveted Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals. They represented the best equitation riders from 34 states, British Columbia, Ontario and the District of Columbia. Despite an early lead being held throughout the daylong competition, the winner, Kimberly McCormack of Clermont, NJ, emerged from the final 42 riders. "Her round was fantastic, just great," said Judge Geoff Teall of Wellington, FL. "Her round just stood...

From a Press Release by Daniel Rieffer , Communications Manager, American Saddlebred Horse Association Louisville, Kentucky - Jen Raynes’ heart of gold led her to Louisville. She ran into a parent of an ASHA junior member at a horse show in Scottsdale, Arizona, who convinced her to donate her time and talent to create a painting for the AHSA Annual Auction. She’s known as “Mad Dog” Jen, and she’s experienced absolute madness since leaving California Tuesday morning to get to the World’s...