Bob Langrish (Laura Kraut and Anthem at Hickstead.) Kraut wins Queen Elizabeth Cup, Welles wins King George V Cup, U.S. Team second in Nations Cup, Madden wins Longines Prize for Elegance (Lexington, KY) – Despite what U.S. Chef d’Equipe George Morris calls a “bittersweet show,” the United States’ show jumping riders staged a spectacular performance in Hickstead this past weekend, demonstrating that they remain a solid world power with which to be reckoned. They...

Photos.com (The city of Hong Kong, China. ) The Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr. Patrick Ho, welcomed the International Olympic Committee's decision to name Hong Kong as the venue for the equestrian events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The announcement came on June 8. Dr. Ho also thanked the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) for its confidence in Hong Kong. "I believe that Hong Kong people are taking a favorable and positive view towards this...

Lili Weik Photography Jimmy Torano and Marcel - Winners of the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship (Lili Weik Photography) Saugerties, NY – With only one time fault to speak of in the second round of Sunday’s competition, Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and his mount Marcel, out-jumped 14 competitors to take home the Championship trophy, $30,000 in prize money, and the elegant Rolex watch at the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship in...

www.BobTarr.com (Currency DC and Susan Dutta captured the five-year-old division at the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trials Championship.) The USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Program continued this past weekend with the third of three official Selection Trials at CDI Three-Star/Y Raleigh and Capital Dressage Classic, held June 3–5 in Raleigh, NC. This USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage Eastern Selection Trial for the FEI World Breeding Championships showcased the...

Courtesy of Karina Benish (Karina and Hawkeye) He was the ugliest male I had ever seen in my life. He had a bloody wound on his nose, hair six inches long on his chest, and he weighed about 700-800 pounds—400 shy of his best weight. His name was Hawkeye, and he was my partner for more than 14 years. Hawkeye was a mustang horse, and it was he who taught me what it is to trust. Horses, in my opinion, given good care and a little attention, are high up in Maslow’s hierarchy. Since...

Bob Langrish (Schuyler Riley on Ilian during the Samsung Super League competition in Rome, Italy.) Samsung Super League at Rome, Italy Rome, Italy – It was another close-call head-on attack by U.S. lady riders in a near-repeat performance that ended with a strong second place finish in Rome, Friday. Together, Beezie Madden, Anne Kursinski, Schuyler Riley and Laura Kraut gave us something to cheer about again—a performance that now puts them in a face-off challenge with Great...

Jan Gyllensten (Debbie McDonald and Brentina placed third at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final Presented by Offield Farms. ) The FEI World Cup Dressage Final Presented by Offield Farms will be televised on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) on Monday, June 6 at 3 p.m. EST, an hour earlier than originally scheduled. The one-hour broadcast offers dressage fans and horse lovers across the United States the rare opportunity to view the world’s best riders, including American sweetheart Debbie...

Diana DeRosa (Kim Frey and Marlou during the first round of jumping at the 2005 World Cup.) Las Vegas, NV – Amidst the fabulous Las Vegas spectacle of fireworks, a laser show, jumbo-tron videos and even an opening musical act, it was shaping up to be a German jump-fest on April 21 until Belgium’s Ludo Philipaerts, on the grey stallion Parco, and Kimberly Frey of the U.S, on her consistent Dutch mare Marlou, showed up to throw down a challenge late in the evening. The first to go...

Diana DeRosa (Debbie McDonald riding Brentina during the Grand Prix portion of the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final) Las Vegas, NV —As some predicted long before Thursday’s qualifying Grand Prix, the Dutch made a fantastic showing during the first leg of the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final, April 21, proving their powerhouse precision is not to be underestimated. Edward Gal finished first on Geldnet Lingh with a total of 78.625. Ironically Gal’s score surpassed that of his...

Courtesy University of South Carolina (University of South Carolina's equestrian team after winning the NCAA National Championship.) Winning the Hunt Seat Division with 40 points, the University of South Carolina’s (USC) Equestrian team clinched its first national title in varsity equestrian on April 16. Overall, South Carolina tallied 60 points to second place University of Georgia’s 51 points (the two-time defending champion). Texas A & M University finished third, and...