Albuquerque, NM - The Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America (WCPSA) is pleased to introduce a Junior Merit Program designed to recognize and encourage our juniors to get out and enjoy, compete, work with, and learn from and about their Welsh ponies and cobs in all sorts of venues. The program also recognizes general good citizenry by including such accomplishments such as school and community service. Points are obtained through both an activity workbook and a questions workbook. The WPCSA Junior...

Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude. (ESI Photography© .) Ocala, FL - The gift of warm weather, bright blue skies and outstanding competition have been the theme of this year's HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Last week's Ocala Masters marked the mid-way point of the six-week, AA-rated Circuit, and with just three more weeks of competition remaining, the Circuit is shaping up to be the one of the best yet. Each week the Grand Prix and Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifiers for the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million...

Steffen Peters & Welton's magic. (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - West Coast riders began their journeys towards qualification for the Pan American Games today in Burbank, CA as part of the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J. Contesting the FEI Prix St. Georges Test, a very competitive field of fifteen U.S., Canadian, and German riders and horses thoroughly impressed FEI judges Jayne Ayers ("I" USA), Natalie Lamping ("I" USA), and Lorraine MacDonald ("I" CAN). "Today's class was fun...

Laura Kraut and Winde had the fastest times (Photo by Sportfot©. ) Wellington, FL - February 5, 2011, - The women have dominated the Nespresso Battle of the Sexes for three years now with another exciting win in Saturday evening's dynamic competition. The women's team, captained by Katie Prudent, and including riders Georgina Bloomberg, Ashlee Bond, Brianne Goutal, Lauren Hough, Maggie Jayne, Reed Kessler, Candice King, Laura Kraut, Christine McCrea, Catherine Pasmore and Nicole Simpson, swept...

Al Cook. (Kathryn Clapp and Donnerkind.) Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is proud to announce that the SmartPak Adult Amateur Hunter Leading Rider for 2010 is Kathryn Clapp of Charlottesville, VA. Clapp earned the honor aboard her equine partner Donnerkind, a 16.1-hand dark brown Hannoverian owned by Thomas Bishop’s The Barracks Farm also in Charlotteville. Based on accumulative points during the 2010 competition year, the SmartPak Adult Amateur Hunter Ranking...

Pennsylvania National Horse Show Harrisburg, PA - The 65th annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show, which took place October 14-23 in Harrisburg, PA, showcased a wealth of equestrian talent ranging from pony hunters to grand prix competitors. From the first junior rider to step into the area at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Exhibition Center until Rodrigo Pessoa crossed the timers to win the $75,000 Grand Prix de Penn National on the horse show's closing night, this year's Pennsylvania...

Fair Hill, MD - Youthful enthusiasm combined with practiced precision led the way at the 22nd annual Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country. The thirty-three horse field includes a broad range of competitors, including Olympians and riders that have just returned from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Amateur rider and former Young Rider Nate Chambers, Vienna, Virginia, was really pleased with the performance of his 14 year-old warmblood gelding, Rolling Stone II....

Nate Chambers and Rolling Stone II (Stockimageservices.com) Elkton, MD – The Dansko Fair Hill International kicked off the last chapter of the 2010 eventing season, with the USEF National CCI2* and CCI3* Eventing Championships. With many competitors and staff still shaking off the effects of a month of World Equestrian Games activities, Fair Hill International provided some welcome relief in the Maryland countryside. The USEF National CCI2* Eventing Championship got underway on Thursday, and...

Laura Goldman and Carlingford JD (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - It was a chilly morning at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, but the sun quickly warmed the air as the Grade III and Grade Ia Para-Equestrian athletes were ready to wow the crowds with their individual freestyle tests. This was the first group of freestyle tests for the Para-Dressage riders, with the individual and team tests having been performed earlier in the week. The Grade III riders were the first...

Mary McCormick (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - Strong performances by both the Women's and Men's U.S. Vaulters entertained a near sold-out Alltech Arena during the second Individual phase of competition during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on Thursday. Mary McCormick leads the U.S. effort, followed by Alicen Divita in ninth place and 2006 WEG Aachen Gold medalist Megan Benjamin in 11th place. The Vaulting Freestyle is perhaps the most appreciated phase of the...