Blaine Mangione takes a break from the jumper ring to win the $1,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby (Bella Nova Pictures) Versatility was the name of the game as riders transitioned between the equitation, hunter, and jumper rings at Gold Coast 5 (July 19-21). Young professional Blaine Mangione, usually seen in the jumper arena, proved she could win the blue ribbon in $1,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby as well. “I was really shocked! I’m usually in the middle of the pack so I honestly...

The NCEA regular season is almost over. There’s not a lot going on this weekend, but the one major conference matchup is a good one. No.3 Oklahoma State University vs. No.8 Kansas State University This marquee matchup of Big 12 rivals is a fitting way to close out the conference’s season, and get a glimpse of what’s to come in the Big 12 championship and the NCEA Championship. Oklahoma State is the higher ranked team, and the favorite here, and a win for the Cowgirls would...

At the halfway point of the show, everyone has started to settle into a rhythm. Exhibitors have become accustomed to the routine of schooling horses, cheering for friends, competing in classes, and riding the emotional highs and lows of horse showing. Trainers are fine-tuning their coaching, subtly adjusting cues or comments to result in peak performance from horse and rider alike. The full panoply of emotions can be observed by watching the show from a unique perspective - the vantage point of...

Every journey begins with a single step. Although many shows reflect such journeys, this year's Canadian Nationals is particularly full of starting points, especially on the day before the show. Brandon is hosting Canadian Nationals for the first time; no stranger to hosting horse shows, Brandon is a charming city with a diverse feeling. Blocks of Victorian era houses, with their sun-kissed gabled roofs and bay windows, mingle with more modern apartment buildings in the downtown. On the...

For the first time ever, the 2007 American Saddlebred Reference Directory is now available electronically on the Association’s website and it’s free to all active ASHA members. Just visit www.saddlebred.com/members/index.php and log in. Once you have logged in, follow the instructions provided. The Reference Directory physical copy has been mailed to all active American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) members by USPS book rate mail. In the meantime, the association is providing this service...

American Quarter Horses take center stage Sunday, January 7, on NBC Sports Television at 1:30 p.m. Eastern/10:30 a.m. Pacific for the America’s Horse Championships presented by Ford Trucks. The one-hour special is based at a portion of the FedEx Open competition at the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Championship Show in Oklahoma City and highlights the reining and cutting competitions along with other features. “We were so pleased with the response from viewers and NBC last...

Six of America’s top Grand Prix Riders will perform at the “Fete Cheval,” a first of its kind event, to be held on Saturday evening, February 12, 2005, during the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. --Molly Ashe, Winner of the Devon, Harrisburg, Tampa and Berlin Grand Prix, and the RBC Cup at Spruce Meadows. Two-time winner of the Budweiser Invitational. --Margie Goldstein-Engle, Eight-Time American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year and member of the Sydney Olympic Show...

Lucy Davis became the youngest GCT Grand Prix winner Saturday (GCT Press Office) Lausanne, Switzerland - America's Laura Kraut keeps hold of her season rankings lead after a dramatic second round showdown in Lausanne. Keeping ahead of Christian Ahlmann and Luciana Diniz, Laura Kraut stays on top going into the 11th leg of the season in Vienna, Austria. Keeping US domination strong, California's Lucy Davis stole the show in Lausanne after an unbelievable win, marking the biggest in her...

Kirk Webby and Brando Du Rouet (Emily Riden/Phelps Media Group) Littlestown, Pa. - The win in Saturday evening's $25,000 Swan Lake Fall Festival Grand Prix all came down to the wire - and at the wire it all came down to just over a second in time. It was the last pair in the ring, Kirk Webby and Brando Du Rouet, who won the race against the clock to claim the victory in an exciting finish to the highlight event at the Swan Lake Fall Festival. In addition to Webby and Brando Du Rouet, four...

Trucks and trailers arriving on Thursday, tires crunching on the gravel, check in and head to assigned stabling and cottage. Hooves on tailgates, whinny of old friends meeting again. Hay, feed, harness, whips, and all associated equipment unloaded while stall doors open and close. These were the sounds of the Fourth Annual Camp Black Prong or "Camp" as it's known. The brainchild of Connie Thoreson and Linda Evans and who do most all of the work themselves. For the driving enthusiast Camp...