Upper Marlboro, MD - The Grand Pony Hunter Championship, sponsored by Lochmoor Stables/Mindy and Greg Darst, went to Hillcrest Blue Halo, owned by Bill Schaub and ridden by 11-year-old Daisy Farish of Versailles, KY. They won three out of four classes in the small pony hunter division and placed second in the remaining class. Daisy Farish and Hillcrest Blue Halo. (Shawn McMillen Photography) They were awarded with the VanderMoore Designs Trophy, donated by VanderMoore Designs. Farish was named...

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...

Bridgehampton, NY - McLain Ward, of Brewster, N.Y., won his second jumper class of the 37th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show on Thursday morning, guiding Vocas to the fastest clean jump-off round in the $7,5000 Prudential Douglas Elliman 1.45m Open Jumper class. Riding about halfway through the 35-horse class, Ward and Vocas recorded a faultless first round and then finished the jump-off clean in a time of 34.98 seconds to take the lead. They then withstood the challenges of 13 other horses in...

Reisenbeck, Germany - Heading into the 2012 FEI Four-in-Hand Driving World Championships the United States was looking to be amongst the leaders following the dressage and they have done just that. The U.S. currently stands in Bronze medal position less than a point behind the Germans in second. Reigning World Champions, The Netherlands, currently lead the Team Championship. The U.S. leads the Individual Championship as no one was able to top Chester Weber’s remarkable score of 33.41 from...

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....

Walking up the steps from the mixed zone to the athlete seating takes 20 seconds. I have done it 29 times, after each ride. 29 times without a medal. Each time - the climb becomes more painful. We are trying, we are working, we are willing - we just aren’t winning. It is immensely frustrating. Our horses look great, our riders are well-coached, you can feel and hear their frustration when they make mistakes. My heart breaks for them when they don’t make mistakes and their best still...