HITS was represented by President and CEO Tom Struzzieri and Dale Harvey of the West Coast Management Team. Zone 10 members were represented by West Coast Active Riders Board Chairman Bernie Traurig and President Will Simpson. Sally Ike, Managing Director of Show Jumping, Leigh Anne Claywell, Director of Competitions, and Allen Rheinheimer, the USEF’s footing expert for this project, served as the USEF representatives. Bart Poels, who is the footing specialist for the 2008 Olympic Games and has...

Lexington, KY ­– The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Lizzy Chesson has been promoted to the position of Director of Show Jumping High Performance Activities. Chesson, 30, is deeply rooted in international equestrian sports. She groomed for her mother and was part of two World Championship Driving Teams in that capacity and in 1999 she was selected to drive a pair of horses in the World Pair Championship in Hungary. “Lizzy has been a great addition to the...

Legendary reining sire and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Fame inductee Topsail Whiz has become only the second stallion to earn this incredible distinction, which is based on offspring earnings. The major milestone came just over one year after reaching the four-million dollar mark. Topsail Whiz, owned by Bob Loomis Quarter Horses, Inc., of Marietta, OK, is by Topsail Cody, another NRHA Hall of Famer and Million Dollar Sire, and out of Jeanie Whiz Bar. When contacted about...

The Race For Education, American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation and Platinum Performance have established a one-year scholarship designed to support veterinary students intending to enter equine veterinary medicine. The scholarship will also reward leadership and participation in Student Chapters of the AAEP (SCAAEP). While providing financial aid to students in their fourth year of veterinary school, the Winner's Circle Scholarship will help to offset the escalating cost...

If you like a saddle seat horse, the National Show Horse (NSH) Finals was the place to be September 19-22. This was the 24th year for this show that was held at the beautiful Springfield, Illinois State Fairground. The judging panel of Nancy Becker, Scott Brumfield, and Richard Wright did an outstanding job of awarding this year’s many National Championships. Offering National Show Horse, All Breed, and Show Horse Alliance classes, the show is considered to be one of the most fun shows of the...

Lee McKeever started riding at the age of eight at a local riding school in Ireland and fell in love with it. He came to the U.S. at 18, and a short time later, began working for McLain Ward’s father. Ward began hanging out with McKeever at horse shows growing up, and the rest is history. McKeever has overseen Ward’s support team from the time that Ward began his professional career through four Olympic Games and much more. Lee McKeever walks to the warm-up ring with McLain Ward and...

Mark Bluman and VDL Vinzell (Shannon Bower/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, Fla. - The Ridge at Wellington's Turf Tour saw some of its biggest classes today travelling to the inaugural event at The Wanderers Club. Mark Bluman was the second ride in the first 1.30m-1.35m class on VDL Vinzell and posted the first double clean of the day, with at time of 29.412. His time held up for the entirety of the day, despite many close attempts to catch him. Alex Granato continued his winning streak...

Say When and Danielle Baran (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Traveling from Toronto, Canada, Danielle Baran and her horse Say When were the WEF 2 Triple Crown Blankets Adult Amateur Hunter 36-49 champions. Baran rode Say When to four over fences victories over the two days of competition. Reserve Champion honors went to Ashley Whitner and her own Larkspur. The combination was second in three of the four over fences classes. Baran bought Say When as he was turning four years old, after trainer...

Luhmuhlen, Germany - The United States produced strong performances in the first phase of competition at the Luhmuhlen CCI4* landing two riders in the top 12. Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 scored 47.8 from the Ground Jury of Gillian Rolton, Ernst Topp, and Alain James and will head out onto Captain Mark Phillips’ cross country course in 12th place. Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 (Stockimageservices.com) Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) has spent much of the...

Alexandra Beaumont and Undergrad (The Book LLC) North Salem, N.Y . - Sometimes when things fall into place, they really click. For Alexandra Beaumont of Ridgefield, CT, Thursday was when she and her horse Undergrad put the pieces together. It led to their first-ever over fences blue ribbons, but more than that, it took them to the division tricolor and Grand Adult Hunter Championship during the second week of the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. On the Grand Prix Field, Laura Bowery of...