Lexington, Ky. - Mette Rosencrantz of Topanga, Cal. was grinning from ear to ear as she accepted congratulations for becoming the first Finals champion crowned in 2014. Her long journey all the way from the West Coast ultimately proved worthwhile as she guided Anne Solbraekke's elegant black Hanoverian gelding De Noir 3 (De Niro x Maharani by Matcho) to a resounding victory in the Open Intermediate I Championship, earning the unanimous win under all three judges for a total score of 72.632%....

Lexington, Ky. - Patti Blackmore (Louisiana, Mo., Region 4) placed third at last year's Finals in the First Level Adult Amateur division, and this year she improved upon that performance to claim the Second Level Adult Amateur Championship aboard her own Hanoverian gelding Rubico (by Rotspon). As the only combination to break seventy percent, they earned a decisive win with a total score of 71.905%. "I breathed a sigh of relief after our counter canter portion of the test," laughed...

(Arabian Horse Association) Aurora, Colo. - Sometimes all it takes is a little family time to make a huge difference in the lives of others. The Arabian horse community is family in every sense of the word. Members may not be blood-related but they share a common bond – love for one another, love for their horses and a desire to see others join their family. The U.S. National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship is so much more than a horse show. It is more than ribbons, trophies and...

Asia Manning of HITS presents Augusta Iwasaki and Bit of Laughter with the $3,000 West Coast Pony Hunter Final awards, including the Cymraeg Rainshower Memorial Trophy (ESI Photography) Thermal, Calif. - Week I of the National Sunshine Series came to a close on Sunday afternoon as Augusta Iwasaki and Bit of Laughter took home first place in the $3,000 West Coast Pony Hunter Final. The pair, scoring 87 and 80 for a total 167, was presented with the iconic Cymraeg Rainshower Memorial Trophy,...

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation’s Eventing 25 Program continued to identify and educate top up-and-coming riders in 2014. The comprehensive program incorporated all aspects of horsemanship in intensive winter training sessions, and continues education with Team Coach David O’Connor throughout the competition season helped riders reach new heights in the competition arena. Meghan O’Donoghue (Carbondale, Ill.) has excelled in the Eventing 25...

Waco, Texas - The National Collegiate Equestrian Association on Tuesday announced its October Riders of the Month, as determined by the NCEA selection committee and honoring standout performances from the second month of collegiate equestrian. Equitation Over Fences Rider of the Month: Kaitlin Perry, TCU • Recorded a perfect 3-0 record in Equitation Over Fences for the month of October, earning one MVP honor. • Each of her three victories came away from home. • Averaged a score...

Lexington, Ky. - Sunny skies, rolling green fields, and the iconic four-board fences of the Kentucky Horse Park welcome the droves of horse vans arriving in Lexington, Ky. for this week's US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, a unique national head-to-head competition showcasing riders and horses competing for top honors at all dressage levels from Training to Grand Prix as well as musical freestyles. This year's competitor roster includes over 400 entries for the US Dressage...

Waco, Texas. - The National Collegiate Equestrian Association on Tuesday announced its latest national team rankings, as determined by the NCEA Selection Committee. At 6-0, Baylor remains the nation’s top-ranked team, while Kansas State is No. 2 with a 3-0 record. South Carolina, which defeated Southeastern Conference foe Texas A&M last Friday, is No. 3. Auburn, which was idle, is ranked No. 4. TCU, which defeated Big 12 Conference opponent Oklahoma State on Saturday, has moved up to...

Lexington, Ky. - At the end of the competition at the 2014 ASPCA Maclay Finals, Spencer Smith was awarded the Wilson Dennehy Equitation Trophy as the rider with the best results overall from the ASPCA Maclay Final and the Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Medal Finals. Smith finished fifth at the Maclay finals. At the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in October, Smith won the Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Medal Finals. He was the first male rider to win that title in 12 years .

Aurora, Colo. - The 48th Annual Arabian & Half-Arabian U.S. National Championship Horse Show once again transformed Tulsa Expo Square into an Arabian horse stomping ground. Stall curtains, water fountains, leather couches, and lots of plants transformed concrete floors and temporary stalls into set-ups of comfort, relaxation and style. Three arenas glittered with fancy lighting and red and gold drapes, while the feeling of competition lingered in the air. After all, this show is where the...