Todd Minikus and Quality Girl (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The sixth week of competition at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began on Wednesday, February 13, with a full schedule of world-class jumper competition in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). In the highlight class of the day, an impressive roster of top riders vied for Longines FEI world ranking points in the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper Classic with a win...

Since 1906, the National Western Stock Show in Denver has been the Super Bowl of livestock shows. On January 24th at this year’s show, Cliff Swanson, along with the Western Dressage Association® of Colorado , presented a two hour clinic in the basics of Western Dressage. Drawing from his skill set clinics, Cliff was able to demonstrate what he normally teaches in five or six half-day clinics. Cliff explained the history of dressage, as he began with a demonstration of aids,...

Lexington, KY- The dressage world turns its focus to Wellington, Florida this week as many top competitors from throughout the world wi Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com) ll go head-to-head at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by Wellington Classic Dressage. This prestigious event will take place once again at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, January 24-26. The United States has a strong presence in this year’s competition as five Americans...

Lauren Hough and Ohlala (©ManciniPhotos) Wellington, FL - The Holiday and Horses CSI 2*-W show continued Thursday with another big class for show jumpers, the $33,000 Holiday and Horses Opener Grand Prix presented by Horse Gym USA. The grand prix is a FEI ROLEX ranking class, and the winning amount of points Thursdya went to Lauren Hough and Ohlala. They were the only double clear round to capture victory. The Holiday and Horses show continues through December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper...

Lexington, KY- Four U.S. riders head to Argentina this week to take part in FEI Nations Cup competition at the prestigious CSIO-W Buenos Aires. The show running November 6-11 hosts the final Nations Cup for the U.S. jumpers to compete in for 2012. American riders Charlie Jacobs, Quentin Judge, Catherine Pasmore and Alison Robitaille will be under the guidance of Norman Dello Joio as he provides veteran leadership in the role of Chef d’Equipe. Due to rain, Nations Cup competition has been...

The twenty first in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder It was an exciting weekend for western dressage in the Pacific Northwest November 2-4. On Friday the Washington State Horsemen (WSH) voted to add Western Dressage as a new discipline on the roster of events offered by the organization statewide. WD has been added as a sub-category of dressage and will utilize NAWD Official Rules and Tests for the 2013 show season so WD classes may now be added to any WSH approved Dressage show...

Bridgehampton, NY - Even though the Grand Prix Ring at the 37th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show is hosting five Olympic gold medalists and many other international stars this week, Friday morning’s jumper classes belonged to two teenagers whose eyes are set on similar accomplishments. Luis Larrazabal, 19, won the $15,000 Speed Derby, presented by Sotheby’s, and Victoria Colvin, 14, won the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake. Riding G&C Lepanto, Larrazabal, a native of...

Bridgehampton, NY - The Hampton Classic hosted the championship finals for the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities on Monday, with riders in three divisions competing for year-end titles. In the advanced independent division, Todd Pritscher, 30, of Yaphank, N.Y., riding Robin Hood, won the championship over Joe Penzel, 19, of Huntington, N.Y., riding Diamond. In the beginner independent division, Tiffany Kahles, 18, of East Meadow, N.Y., riding Gryffindor, won the...

Lexington, KY - The best vaulters from across the U.S. are ready to begin competition at the FEI World Vaulting Championship at the Pole Europeen du Cheval in Le Mans, France from August 16-19, 2012. Vaulters will be vying for World Championship titles in the Individual Female, Individual Male, Pas de Duex, and Team competitions. The recently crowned Gold Individual Female National Vaulting Champion Mary McCormick (Woodside, CA) hopes to continue her success in France. Having also won the...

Reed Kessler leads the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series Leading Rider Standings (pictured with Cylana). (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington KY - Although young rider Reed Kessler of Lexington, KY, is currently representing the United States at the Olympic World Games in London, she still holds the top spot in the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Consisting of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park, the...