Fear of the unknown often darkens our dream of buying the young horse that will become the next show star. Perhaps we are drawn to this idea by the harmony that arises between human and equine when raising a horse from his first years; possibly it's the chance to be able to buy him before he costs six figures. But will this charming youngster transform into that fancy show horse we had envisioned? Here is a way to peek into a crystal ball. Start from the bottom up — your bottom line Clearly...

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo (Al Cook) Eventing The USEF National CCI1* Championships concluded on Sunday with some of the United States' best up-and-coming combinations vying to be crowned champions in one of four divisions. The competition was held in combination with the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event and Team Challenge at the Kentucky Horse Park. Kristen Rozycki claimed the National CC1* Championship with her own Full Circle finishing on a score of 47.2. Rozycki and the...

Every two years, while the selection committees ponder who will represent the United States, another selection process is under way to determine who will feed our horses while they represent our country. For the last four games—2002 Jerez World Equestrain Games (WEG), 2004 Athens Olympics, 2006 Aachen WEG, and 2008 Beijing Olympics—Pennfield Feed was the feed of choice for our equestrian teams, because just like them, Pennfield demonstrates the highest level of consistent quality....

Brazilian superstar Rodrigo Pessoa headed the winning line-up of international riders in Sunday's $75,000 Grand Prix de Penn National on the final day of the 64th Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Pessoa, Olympic Gold medalist and three-time World Cup winner, aboard Let's Fly, was the eighth rider on course and the first to navigate the course designed by Steve Stephens without a rail down. "I have been riding him for a little over a year and a half," said Pessoa. "I started him in the bigger...

A strong international field descends on the stylish French seaside town of Deauville, France, this week to contest the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Final in what should be the most competitive finale yet. It all starts on September 18 with the first horse inspection. The 2008 FEI World Cup™ eventing standings leader Kevin McNab of Australia, will be making his first competitive visit to Europe, and has earned the right to pole position, while the Australian challenge is completed...

Make a note: Sit down at the computer Saturday night, October 27, at 8 p.m. The $65,000 Budweiser Grand Prix de Penn National will be webcast live in its entirety exclusively by Productions East Video and LiveBroadcast.TV. The grand prix is a World Cup qualifier and one of the biggest events in American show jumping. Just log on to www.LiveBroadcast.TV or www.ProductionsEast.com . Live webcast feed of the competition is just $24.95 per day. The only requirement for viewing the coverage on your...

Diana DeRosa (Christopher Hickey and Regent in Rio de Janeiro) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—When most people think of Rio, sunshine comes quickly to mind. However, that was not the case today at Deodoro Stadium and the National Equestrian Center outside of the city. Clouds, the threat of rain showers and cooler temperatures loomed, but it was a rather bright day for the hopes of the American dressage riders as all three of them competed in the first of two rounds that will determine the...

New Jersey's Sammis and Sagacious HF in Rio De Janeiro. (Diana DeRosa) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil —Equestrian competition began on Saturday morning at the National Equestrian Center at Deodoro, outside of Rio de Janeiro. Up first for the three disciplines contested in the Pan American Games was dressage, and there was one American to take to the arena—Lauren Sammis. At the end of the 13 riders going on Saturday (one from Columbia withdrew), she sat in the early lead headed into...

Interest and participation in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has never been greater. The association continues to exhibit phenomenal growth, especially in the areas of membership and approved shows. During its June meeting, the NRHA’s Board of Directors announced a year-to-date increase of 4.5% in memberships for 2006. The board also announced a significant growth in NRHA-approved shows, especially in international venues where there’s been an increase of more than 33% in 2006...

While the third stop on the Global Champions Tour took center stage in Monaco, a number of the American riders on hand dominated in their competitions. Anna McWane and Alexa Weeks led the way for the United States with two wins apiece during the four days of competition at Jumping International de Monaco 2006, staged outdoors on the quay of the famous harbor. Riding her eight-year-old Dutch mare Rusi, McWane posted wins on Thursday and again on Saturday. Thursday’s win against the clock was a...