Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...

Karl Cook (USA) aboard Norories Utopia in the $30,000 EQU Lifestyle Speed Classic Las Vegas, NV - It was a night full of speed and spills as forty-two horse and rider duos broke from the gate in the $30,000 EQU Lifestyle Speed Classic. The evening was dedicated to great causes as Just Word International hosted their infamous horseless horse show and High Jump Finals, as well as the local Air Force Base Honor Guard presented our nation's colors before competition was underway. German course...

The twentieth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder This week is all about news, news and more news. Never a dull moment in Western Dressage! This just out via a press release from WDAA: “The WDAA has been guided throughout by the leadership, strategy, and policies of its Board of Directors and Advisory Board, both of which are volunteer positions and provide their services without funding. Each are comprised of distinguished professionals from all facets of the equine...

Leigh Cofer and Breaking News made headlines with their NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic victory at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - August 5, 2012 -It was the championship day for the Adult Amateur Divisions at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Riders and their top mounts approached the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park for the final day of the show, examining the courses as they prepared. The Adult Amateurs did not disappoint as they vied for the top...

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...

Leslie Howard et Lennox Lewis 2 Credit Normand St-Jacques Bromont - American rider Leslie Howard, who won the first FEI Open Jumper 1m50 this week, presented by the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, enjoys victory again in the Desjardins Speed Derby, winning with a comfortable six-second margin. A high-energy course The Speed Derby's course, built in two rings, added a challenge for the horses by using the walkway to cross over. Twenty-two horse/rider teams...

Laura Kraut and Cedric won the 23'000 € 1.55 m Syndicaat van de Rotterdamse Havenbedrijven Prix at the Rotterdam CHIO. (Erin Cowgill) Rotterdam, Netherlands - June 22, 2012 - Laura Kraut and Cedric could not be stopped on Thursday, June 21, 2012, as they emerged the victors of the qualifying 23'000 € 1.55 m Syndicaat van de Rotterdamse Havenbedrijven Prix. The Concours Hippique International Officiel (CHIO) has seen some of the world's greatest competitors vie for the prestigious...

The final Markel/USEF Young Horse Training Session of 2012 will take place June 28-29 at Rosebrook Farm in Georgetown, MA. Led by USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler, the session is expected to include ten horse/rider combinations. This training session is open auditors and will include a lecture and open discussion with Hassler. Those interested in auditing should contact USEF Director of National Dressage, Hallye Griffin, at [email protected]. The calendar of the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse...

Asheville, NC -- Piedmont Paso Fino Horse Association will celebrate the 30th Annual Piedmont Classic at Asheville ALIVE 2012 at the Western NC Agriculture Center on June 21 -24, 2012. The Paso Fino Horse eloquently combines Spanish heritage and American tradition to present “Los Caballos de Paso Fino” – the horses with the fine walk. Voted “Best in Breed Competition” for 2010 and 2011 by USEF (United States Equestrian Federation). Asheville ALIVE 2012 promises to...

Calgary, AB - It was a celebration of the Red, White and Blue today int eh Internaitonal ring at the 2012 Spruce Meadows National. 46 horse/rider combinations had their work cut out for them in the $35,000 1.45 meter ATCO Midstream Challenge. The course, designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA), stretched over 525 meters of course, with 15 jumping efforts. With 16 combinations in the jump off, Richard Spooner (USA) was declared the winner with double clear rounds and a jump off time of 35.50 aboard...