Interagro, a stallion participating in the 2011 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction. (Photo courtesy of Tupa.) Wellington, FL – The 2011 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction is right around the corner, and fans of the magnificent Lusitano breed are thrilled to learn that the horses taking part in this year’s highly anticipated auction have settled in Florida. Hosted by the Lusitano Collection, the auction is considered the social event of the season and will take place...

Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. (Phelps Media Group. ) Wellington, FL - Preparations are under way at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL, as the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach, the American leg of the world's premier dressage series, draws nearer. The Jim Brandon Center will welcome a group of the most successful international dressage riders and horses from North America and Europe on March 9-11, as they compete for 100,000 Euros in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach...

Shawna Harding. (Photo by Susan J. Stickle.) Lincoln, NE – The Board of Directors of The Dressage Foundation announced that Shawna Harding of Aiken, SC, is a recipient of the 2011 “Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize” in the amount of $25,000. The purpose of the Prize, established at The Dressage Foundation, is to provide financial assistance for coaching and training to a talented, committed, qualified rider whose plan is to reach and excel at the elite, international standards of high...

Hadji and Palmer-DuRoss. (Steven Bradley Photography.) Aurora, CO - Hadji Halef Omar (Centavo x ZA Sabbaths Joy), a 1992 grey gelding, owned by Stephanie Palmer-DuRoss of Queen Creek, AZ. has been named the 2010 AHA Distance Horse of the Year. The 10-year veteran of endurance competition has taken Palmer-DuRoss over 5,810 miles, a journey for which she is very grateful. “I am nominating Hadji for the Distance Horse of the Year Award in appreciation for all the beautiful places he has taken me...

Alexandria Desiderio and TL Foolin Around+. (Photo by Don Stine.) Aurora, CO - Earning 522.5 points might come naturally for the 2010 Youth Amateur of the Year Alexandria Desiderio, from Chester, NJ. "It kinda happened by accident—I didn't go out of my way—I just show so much now, it's crazy," says Desiderio. But you can't really say Desiderio's points came easily; unless 30-plus hours a week in the saddle sounds easy. Desiderio came by her 522.5 points with the help of three horses at 13...

Karen O’Connor, Pat Parelli, Linda Parelli and David O’Connor. (Photo courtesy Coco Photography.) Ocala, FL - February 21, 2011 – Children in the central and northern Florida area had their wishes granted when Pat Parelli, the founder of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, traded in his cowboy boots for a jumping saddle during the Second Annual Make-A-Wish Equine Challenge on Valentine’s Day at the Ocala Equestrian Complex. At the same time, David O’Connor, Olympian and President of the United States...

Glen Senk and Another Place. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Glen Senk did more than steal the show this morning as fifty-three entries came out for a chance to win the title in the Peggy Cone Memorial WCHR Adult Hunter Classic. Senk had a total of four entries in the class, all of which placed in the top twelve. Senk's newest mount, Another Place, took top honors in the class with an average score of 83.5 in the first round, and 85.5 in the second round. Senk, and his own Fashion Farm,...

Beezie Madden and Prima. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Two-time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden scored her second win this week at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival in the $50,000 G&C Farm Palm Beach Jumping Derby. She and Prima, owned by Neapolitan Holding Co., LLC, were the fastest over a challenging derby course on the grass field at The Stadium. The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival's sixth week concluded today and was sponsored by Fidelity Investments. The 2011 WEF will continue...

Louise Serio and Castle Rock won the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Classic Spectacular (© Sportfot) Wellington, FL - February 18, 2011 - Louise Serio and Castle Rock earned a victory in the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Classic Spectacular on Friday evening at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival following two beautiful rounds of competition. After two weeks of qualifying competition, only the top horses and riders had the opportunity to compete in a fantastic class held under the bright lights of the...

Beezie Madden and Mademoiselle. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - February 18, 2011 - Two-time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, rode Abigail Wexner's Mademoiselle to victory in the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 today at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The grand prix was held on the grass at The Stadium, and riders and spectators alike enjoyed the beautiful weather and change of scenery at the venue. The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival's sixth week of...