Raul de Leon was awarded the designation of Master Instructor by the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) in July. A former Cuban junior jumping champion, de Leon furthered his career in the U.S., working closely with former United States Equestrian Team coach Bertalan de Nemethy and eventually settling on Long Island. From 1994 to 1990, de Leon served as co-director of the Westmoreland Davis Equestrian Institute at Morven Park with his friend and former student, 1976 Olympic...

Wellington, FL - March 19, 2016 - It was a day of firsts for Italy's Lorenzo de Luca as the 28-year-old rider guided Ensor de Litrange LXII to victory in the $130,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix Lorenzo de Luca and Ensor de Litrange LXII. Copyright Sportfot. CSI 3* on Saturday during week ten of the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). It was the rider's first grand prix win at the Winter Equestrian Festival on a new horse that he was competing in its very first FEI competition. It...

Dortmund, Germany – For the second time, Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer will represent the United States at the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Finals. Taking place March 4-6 in Dortmund, Germany, the sisters will compete in the pas-de-deux division against three teams for a chance at the title. Teams will perform in two freestyle competitions. The average score from both freestyle performances will determine the overall champion. Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer, winners of the Pas-de-Deux at the...

Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude. (ESI Photography© .) Ocala, FL - The gift of warm weather, bright blue skies and outstanding competition have been the theme of this year's HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Last week's Ocala Masters marked the mid-way point of the six-week, AA-rated Circuit, and with just three more weeks of competition remaining, the Circuit is shaping up to be the one of the best yet. Each week the Grand Prix and Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifiers for the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million...

McLain Ward and Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve. (Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Saturday night at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve in the $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2* Grand Prix. The class was held on a beautiful Florida evening under the lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Riders representing 12 different countries made up the international field this evening, showing over a course...

www.flickr.com/photos/skodak (Rio de Janeiro) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the host city of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in 2016 during its 121st Session in Copenhagen, Denmark. Rio de Janeiro received 66 votes compared to Madrid’s 32 in the final round of voting. IOC President Jacques Rogge congratulated Rio de Janeiro on its election and praised the high quality of the bid, “I would like to congratulate the city of Rio de...

Grand Prix de Santa Fe, Santa Fe’s most prestigious horse show, is pleased to announce the donation of $35,000 in net proceeds from its 2007 annual show-jumping event to New Mexico social service and equestrian non-profit organizations. Beneficiaries include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico, New Mexico Suicide Intervention Project, Silver Bullet Productions, Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust, Santa Fe Pro Musica’s Youth Programs, The Horse Shelter and Rancho Corazon Riders....

Valle de Bravo, Mexico – January 20, 2016 – The newly minted North American League Longines FEI World Cup qualifying season continues in 2016 in Mexico. With ten events complete, four remain before the Finals this March in Gothenburg. The first of those four is also the first ever FEI World Cup Qualifying event produced in Mexico. Welcome to Valle de Bravo CSI4*. Patricio Pasquel and Carnival. Photo by Anwar Esquivel/EqSol Setting Latin American records right from the start, 81...

Jordan MacPherson and Piccobello du val de Geer (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Week two of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) concluded at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Sunday with a win for Jordan MacPherson (CAN) and Piccobello du val de Geer in the $34,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series, Presented by The Dutta Corp. in Association with Guido Klatte, also kicked off with its...

Paul O'Shea and Primo de Revel. Photo (Mancini Photos) Wellington, Fla. - Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) hosted its Holiday Festival III this weekend on December 20-22, 2013, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The competition featured National 'A' rated hunter and 4* jumper competition, including a $10,000 Open Jumper Stake and a $25,000 Holiday III Grand Prix. The $25,000 Holiday III Grand Prix was the highlight event of the weekend, held...