Presentation: L to R: Cliff Haines, Scott Stewart, Dr. Betsee Parker, For the Laughter, Meredith Darst, Tim Bolton, Mindy Darst and Jorge Delara. (Al Cook) For the Laughter, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA and shown by Meredith Darst, was awarded the Grand Pony Hunter Championship, sponsored by the Bedard Family, at the 67th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Saturday afternoon. There were cheers and tears at the presentation as Dr. Parker was overcome with emotion over the...

Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...

Calgary, Canada - The 2012 Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament had great significance for U.S. riders, as it was their final competition under the guidance of legendary Chef d’ Equipe George Morris. The prestigious competition is always a destination event for not only the best in North America but also draws top competitors from Europe. The signature classes of Spruce Meadows would once again draw a packed house of spectators, as horses and riders competed for top individual honors in...

It is proving to be a big day for the U.S. at English competitions this morning and it’s only lunch time! At the 2012 Paralympic Games, the fourth U.S. rider, Donna Ponnessa, does not perform her 1a Team Test until 4:33pm, so another 4 hours of anxious anticipation! Her U.S. teammate’s got things off to a good start yesterday as Jonathan Wentz and Becca Hart gained massive scores for the U.S. to keep them in the team hunt. Jonathan scored 70.364% to finish fifth in the Grade 1b Team...

Bridgehampton, NY - Allison Toffolon, of Bronxville, N.Y., coolly earned the highest scores in both rounds of the Sam Edelman Equitation Championship, to edge Victoria Colvin and Sylvia de Toledo, on Thursday afternoon at the 37th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. Riding her own horse Class Action, Toffolon, 16, scored 90 points in the first round and 89 points in the second round. “I took a lot of deep breaths to stay calm before I rode the second round,” she said. The...

Reisenbeck, Germany- The U.S. produced the strong start they were looking to make on Thursday at the FEI Four-in-Hand World Driving Championships, with two of the three American entries performing their dressage tests. Chester Weber led the charge for the U.S. driving a spectacular test scoring 33.41 to hold the lead after day one. Weber (Ocala, FL) has long been known for his ability to produce a winning dressage test and did not disappoint today in Germany. Driving his own Para and Boy W as...

Lexington, KY - The U.S. Driving Team will be aiming for a place on the podium this week in Reisenbeck, Germany as they square-off with the best in the game at the 2012 FEI Four-in-Hand World Driving Championships. A total of 50 competitors from 19 Nations will attempt to stake their claim on Team and Individual world titles, August 16-19, 2012. The championships are off to a strong start for the U.S. as all 15 horses were accepted without incident during Tuesday’s First Horse Inspection....

Lexington, KY - Pending the approval of the USEF Executive Committee and the United States Olympic Committee's Board of Directors, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) named the 2012 U.S. Olympic Eventing Team. The 2012 U.S. Olympic Eventing Team in Alphabetical Order: Will Coleman (Gordonsville, VA) and Jim Wildasin's Twizzel Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) and the Jatial, Inc.'s Ringwood Magister Phillip Dutton (West Grove, PA) and Jim and Arden Wildasin's Mystery Whisper...

Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) approved the Show Jumping FEI Nominated Entries for the 2012 Olympic Games. From the Nominated Entries, the team of four and a traveling reserve will be entered on the Definite Entry on July 6th. The ranked order of the athlete/horse combinations for the FEI Nominated Entries is as follows: 1. Rich Fellers and Mollie and Harry Chapman's Flexible 2. Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Ranch's Coral Reef Via Volo 3. Reed Kessler on...

Gladstone, NJ - The following change has been made to the USEF Short List for the US Eventing Team: Henley House Stables’ Remington XXV, ridden by Boyd Martin, was added to the Short List and will ship to the England on Sunday with the 11 horses previously Short Listed by the USEF. The Updated Nominated Entry and Short List in Alphabetical Order (the shortlisted combinations are designated below in bold type and a star next to their name): Will Coleman on Jim Wildasin's Twizzel* Tiana...