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...

Diana DeRosa (Show jumper Gabriella Salick riding Sandstone Laurin during warm up.) Las Vegas, NV – In a city where glitz and glam are the standard, our United States riders are preparing to shine with the best of them at the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals in Show Jumping and Dressage. Now that official warm-ups and open training have concluded for both disciplines, our skilled equestrians are depending on two final touches before the competition begins—a good night’s rest, and luck of the draw for...

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...

PhelpsPhotos.com (Kim Severson won the 2004 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event Four-Star on Winsome Adante.) Lexington, KY – In a month where the average American wanders out to the garden wishing for Summer, equestrian sport has taken the lead—and the reins—to bring the country into full bloom. Leading us first to the entertainment capital of the world on April 20, the 2005 FEI World Cup Finals promises to feature some of the best show jumping and dressage the world has to offer. The United States...

Candice King, Lauren Hough, Laura Kraut, Georgina Bloomberg and Anne Kursinski. Not shown: McLain Ward, Kim Frey and Schuyler Riley. (Courtesy Randi Muster/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the eight East Coast show jumpers who will represent the nation during the 2005 Budweiser FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Las Vegas, April 20-24. They are: McLain Ward of Brewster, New York, Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc,...

Debbie McDonald on Brentina during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens (Bob Langrish) Lexington, KY – The best and brightest dressage stars will battle it out in Burbank, California this weekend, in a show-down that will determine who will ride at the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final Presented by Offield Farms, in Las Vegas, April 20-24. Tickets to the World Cup won’t come easily though, with a red-hot roster waiting to take home the title at the U.S. Grand Prix Freestyle...

Courtesy NRHA (Tim McQuay and Dun Gotta Gun at the 2004 Tulsa Classic (shown here). The pair recently won the USEF Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup.) Lexington, KY – Reining icon Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX, won the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Open Reining Championship Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup in Gifford, IL, on Saturday, March 19. Riding Dun Gotta Gun owned by Jerry Kimmel, McQuay made it look easy receiving the top score of 228.5 besting the field of...

Tish Quirk ((l-r, top to bottom) Nicole Simpson, Joie Gatlin, Richard Spooner and Gabriella Salick.) Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to present the four West Coast show jumpers who will represent the nation during the 2005 FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Las Vegas, April 20-24. They are: Nicole Simpson of Thousand Oaks, California, Joie Gatlin of San Juan Capistrano, California, Richard Spooner of Burbank, California, and Gabriella Salick of...

Laura Kraut and Miss Independent (Randi Muster/PMG) Lexington, KY – The field narrows yet again, as Laura Kraut edges her way to the top of the standings in the East Coast League. Adding more fuel to an already fiery 2005 season, Kraut, a native of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, jumped her way to a first place finish at the $75,000 Cosequin Florida Open in Wellington, March 6. The double clear round atop Miss Independent put Kraut two points ahead of McLain Ward in the standings, previously the...