Maddy Darst (USEF Archive/Randi Muster) Lexington, KY—There is a lot that goes into the makings of a champion pony. Just ask Ohio’s Meredith “Maddy” Darst. She would know. And to prove it, two of her mounts—Rock the Boat and Brownland’s Mr. Mac—jumped their way through the over fences phase of the 2009 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships to take the Medium Green Hunter Pony and the Small Green Hunter Pony champion...

Team USA- North Central put in a comanding performance to take the Gold medal (Sportfot.com) Lexington, KY—Don’t let the “Free Hugs” sign pasted on the front of the team golf cart for the Reining Team USA-North Central fool you, this team came to the SmartPak™ FEI North American Young Rider Reining Championships to win - and win big they did. Securing the Team Gold in a very strong field, Team USA- North Central edged their rivals out for the top podium position....

Nicole DelGiorno and Lamborghini Dane (Flashpoint Photography) Lexington, KY—The 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North went out rocking with the Junior freestyle dressage tests. The top 15 Juniors came back to perform their choreographed routines in the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior & Young Rider Dressage Championships, and the crowds cheered them on under sunny Kentucky skies. After the scores were tallied, Nicole...

Kassandra Barteau and GP Raymeister (Flashpoint Photography) Lexington, KY —The Young Riders in the dressage competition returned to the arena for the final time to perform their musical freestyles. The stadium was rocking as the 15 qualifying riders performed their choreographed routines for an exuberant audience during the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior & Young Rider Dressage Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. The highest score thus far in the competition...

Nicole DelGiorno and Lamborghini Dane (Flashpoint Photography) Lexington, KY—The Junior dressage riders were back in the arena this morning for the Individual medal tests. Some gusty wind and impending storms made for some excitable horses, but the riders rose to the challenge and produced some lovely tests for the judges during the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior & Young Rider Dressage Championships. In the end, less than one whole point separated first place from...

Zone 10 took Gold home to California after the Junior Team Show Jumping competition (Sportfot.com) Lexington, KY —The first CN North American Junior & Young Rider Show Jumping Championships presented by USHJA medal was on the line when the Junior jumpers took to the arena for the Team medal round this afternoon. The competition was fierce from the start and the ultimate winner was decided with a three rider jump-off. It was the first jumping medal presented at the 2009 Adequan FEI...

Sage Sapergia, riding Shiners Q Chex for Team Alberta, took top honors (Waltenberry) Reining joins dressage, show jumping, and eventing as the disciplines showcased at this year’s Adequan® FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, presented by Gotham North which hosts teams from Canada, Mexico, and the United States for a full week of competition. In its second year as a full-medal sport, this year’s SmartPak™ North American Young Rider Reining Championship...

Lexington, KY – Ashlee Bond continued her winning European ways with a fantastic victory in the Warsteiner Prize, one of the featured events at the World Equestrian Festival - CHIO Aachen. The Hidden Hills, CA rider flew to the win on Little Valley Farm’s fleet-footed Cadett 7 Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 (Ken Braddick) . The talented duo bested 50 of Europe’s best horses and riders in an impressive effort, which involved the fastest round of 14 in the jump-off. “I’m...

Winners in Rome (Courtesy FEI ) By Joanie Morris Lexington, KY – The US Show Jumping squad bounced back with a valiant effort, winning the second leg of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup in Rome, Italy. Chef d’Equipe, George Morris continues to build a show jumping empire with the US. After winning back-to-back Olympic Gold medals in 2004 and 2008, Morris brought a team of mixed experience to Rome and dominated the nine other nations to finish on a two round total of 4 faults. The French...

Photo by PhelpsPhotos.com (Rebecca Hart and Norteassa) Lexington, KY – Rebecca Hart has had quite an eventful year. In 2008, she won her first National Championship aboard Norteassa in May, 2008, and then the pair went on to Hong Kong to compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games and barely missed winning an Individual medal. This year, Hart bested 16 other riders to defend her title as 2009 Cavalor/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion. The...