Wellington, FL The ninth week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) has come to a close at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Saturday Night Lights at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival brought a crowd of more than 4,200 spectators to watch Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa and Let's Fly jump to victory in the $231,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI 4*-W Presented by Bainbridge Companies. Pessoa earned the winning cut of prize money after an exciting jump-off of many of the top horses...

Todd Minikus and Pavarotti. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - After missing the beginning of the 2011 show circuit due to a shattered collarbone, Todd Minikus (USA) made his return to the winner's circle at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) today riding Pavarotti to a victory in the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 10. This was the pair's second time back in the ring this season and they made it look easy with two fast and faultless rounds. The FTI WEF's tenth week of competition,...

Ellen Toon and Invincible. (ESI Photography© .) Saugerties, NY - For the first time in the history of the HITS Winter Circuits in Ocala, FL; Tucson, AZ; and Thermal, CA, three extraordinary Hunter events took place at nearly the same time on Saturday night and awarded $40,000 in prize money from coast to coast. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix, a two-round Hunter classic, was by far one of the most exciting classes on the schedule this winter and the ticket for riders looking to earn their way to the...

Andre Thieme and Coco 135. (ESI Photography©.) OCALA, FL - On a perfectly beautiful afternoon at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL, German show-jumping icon Andre Thieme riding Seth Vallhonrat's Coco 135 captured the victory in Sunday's $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to close out the Ocala Finals. Thieme's win marked the first time this season that a rider captured more than one victory in a Sunday Grand Prix, his first being aboard his own Cesar three weeks...

Catherine Chamberlain on Verdicci. (Photo by Genia Ply Photography.) Lincoln, NE - The Dressage Foundation announced today that the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund has recently provided grants to three individuals to further their dressage training and education. Liz Austin (VT), Jasmin Becker (CO, and Catherine Chamberlain (AZ) were chosen by a Selection Committee to receive financial support from Renee's Fund. Renee established the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund at The Dressage...

Allison Springer and Arthur. (Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.) Tallahassee, FL - It's only fitting that the winner of the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series would be decided on the final moments of the competition on Sunday afternoon, drawing out the nail-biting excitement to the very last jump. Overnight leader Allison Springer must have breathed a huge sigh of relief to cross the finish line with all the rails still neatly in their cups, solidifying her victory at the prestigious...

Joel Kiesner. (Photo by Stuart Vesty.) Welcome to the second of many features profiling various people in equestrian sport - athletes, trainers and more. The profiles are published regularly in the United States Equestrian Federation's Week in Review e-newsletter. This week meet Joel Kiesner, whose lifelong experience has evolved into training methods focused on maximizing the best assets and talent of the Arabian horse. His exceptional talent and abilities have resulted in numerous awards -...

Steffen Peters and Ravel (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, FL – Before a sold-out crowd, the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center continued to play host to World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5* presented by the International Polo Club. After Thursday’s Grand Prix and Friday afternoon’s Grand Prix Special, eight of the top riders from across the United States and Europe rode their freestyles on a cool Florida evening. And, by the luck of the draw – the best was saved for last. Steffen Peters and Ravel...

Elizabeth Benson and San Remo. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - It was a busy day for junior riders here at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3. The world's largest horse show plenty of junior riders this weekend in numerous hunter, jumper and equitation divisions. Among the exciting classes was the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search equitation class. Elizabeth Benson, from Whitehouse Station, NJ, took home the blue ribbon and top prize...

Photo courtesy CAL-AHA. Burbank, CA - The Rainbow Royal Andalusian, Fresian, Saddlebred and Open Horse Show - CAL-AHA's first show of the 2011 show season - was held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center under blue skies with temperatures in the mid-70s - perfect for the horses and exhibitors. The 3-day event, March 4-6, featured a full slate of classes for Pure and Partbred Andalusians/ Lusitanos, Pure and Partbred Friesians, Saddlebreds and classes open to all breeds in english, western,...