Three years ago, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) launched an innovative Developing Driver Program to provide supplemental training opportunities for American combined drivers who demonstrated a commitment to the goal of competing at the USEF/FEI level and who were in pursuit of competitive excellence. The eventual goal was to increase the number of drivers and their horses/ponies competing at high performance levels, therefore developing the drivers that could become be future...

Andres Rodriguez and S.F. Ariantha (Sportfot) Mill Spring, N.C. - Andres Rodriguez (VEN) and the talented grey mare S.F. Ariantha proved too quick to beat in the $127,000 Tryon Estates Grand Prix CSI 3*, the final Grand Prix of the 2015 season at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Rodriguez and S.F. Ariantha flew through the timers, securing the fastest double clear effort of the night, finishing with a time of 43.26 seconds. Andrew Kocher (USA), winner of the $34,000 Suncast®...

Harrie Smolders and Emerald (Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington, D.C. – Harrie Smolders (NED) and Emerald emerged victorious in the $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, presented by Events DC, for the President’s Cup, on Saturday night at the 2015 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS). Competing for the coveted President of the United States Perpetual Cup as well as valuable Longines FEI World Cup qualifying points, the grand prix was the highlight...

Pau, France – An influential show jumping day closed out Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*. Yann Royant’s challenging track saw few clear rounds to bring the competition to an exciting conclusion. U.S. combination Katie Ruppel and Houdini concluded their European debut with a 33rd-place finish. Katie Ruppel and Houdini (Libby Law Photography) Ruppel (Anthony, Fla.) and her own Houdini began the competition with a nice dressage test to receive a score of49.3 from the Ground Jury of...

Lexington, Ky. – Bruce “Buck” Davidson Jr. and Sydney Hagaman held on to their first place positions, following the show jumping phase, to secure the USEF One-Star Eventing National Championships as part of the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event & Team Challenge. Davidson led the victory gallop with Legion Kat as they claimed the USEF One-Star Eventing National Championship for the Richard Collins Trophy on an overall score of 41.50. Hagaman and Diablo Tejano secured the...

Pau, France – A tough cross-country day at Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4* proved influential for the 47 combinations that started the phase. U.S. combination Katie Ruppel and Houdini completed Pierre Michelet’s challenging track and head into Sunday’s show jumping phase in 38th place. Katie Ruppel and Houdini (Libby Law Photography) Ruppel (Anthony, Fla.) and her own Houdini gained valuable experience at Pau on cross-country day, crossing through the finish flags at the end...

Santo Domingo, Chile – The U.S. team put forth a great effort Friday during the 2015 FEI World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors. Leading the way for the U.S. was Mary Kathryn Clark (Eatonton, Ga.) who finished 21st with a time of 7:32:37. Clark, who rode her own Questafir, a 2004 Arabian gelding, had a personal best finish in these championships after placing 37th in 2011. Mary Cathryn Clark and Questafir (Becky Pearman Photography) The remaining members of the U.S....

John French in his presentation for Leading Hunter Rider with WIHS Executive Director Bridget Love Meehan, Dr. Betsee Parker, and Archie Cox (Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington, D.C. – The 2015 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued with its second day of competition Wednesday featuring the presentation of championship honors in the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. Representing the west coast, rider and trainer...

Santo Domingo, Chile – Five talented combinations will represent the United States at the 2015 FEI World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors on Friday, October 23, at Tricao Park. Young Riders and Juniors World Endurance Championship veterans Mary Kathryn Clark (Eatonton, Ga.) and Christina Kimery (Bixby, Okla.) will lead Katie Baldino (Marietta, Ga.), Mallory Capps (Cumming, Ga.), and Maria Muzzio (Clifton, Va.) on the 120 km course against riders from 15 nations. USEF...

Pau, France – A field of 49 competitors will vie for top honors at Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*, with competition running from October 22-25. USEF Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda along with three other American combinations are up for the challenge of the renowned competition. Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda (Libby Law Photography) Brannigan (Kennett Square, Pa.) and Nina Gardner's Cambalda are in fine form for their Pau debut. The pair won The...