Laura Kraut and Cedric (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center experienced one of its biggest crowds ever on Saturday night as more than 7,000 spectators filled the stands to watch Laura Kraut (USA) and Cedric race to victory in the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* during week eleven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Kraut and Cedric won two grand prix classes in a row earlier in the circuit with victories in the $78,000...

The festival atmosphere started early as tailgaters prepared to welcome their expected guests. Tents were raised, tables set with colorful clothes topped with trays and baskets of food, coolers were filled with ice and beverages to keep everyone hydrated and happy during the warm day. With thousands of spectators expected, many arrived early to ensure a seat with a good view of the 80 some competitors who would fly though the obstacles. Volunteers took their places to wait patiently for the...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Executive Committee approved an Extraordinary Rule Change in the Morgan Division of the USEF Rule Book on March 21, 2011, requiring exhibitors in leadline classes to wear protective headgear at all times while mounted, effective immediately. "We applaud the American Morgan Horse Association for this bold, forward-thinking move," said USEF President David O'Connor. The rule change was put forward by the board of the American Morgan...

Kent Farrington and Top Gun. (ESI Photography© . ) Ocala, FL - The 30th Anniversary of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit could go down as the most memorable one ever. The eight-week Circuit was blessed with beautiful weather, stellar competition and record-breaking entries in both the Grand Prix and Devoucoux Hunter Prix, proving that qualifying for this year’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final has captured the hearts and minds of equestrians from...

Ocala, FL - Four United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Driving National Championship titles are at stake at the 2011 CAI-B Live Oak in Ocala, FL, as Ponies (four-in-hand, singles and pairs) and Horse Pairs vie for top honors. The first phase of competition for the FEI classes - dressage - is now complete. Shelly Temple of Windsor, SC, put herself well ahead of the competition, winning the FEI Single Pony dressage with a score of 41.60. Driving her Morgan LR Ami B-Line, Temple was happy...

Beezie Madden and Danny Boy. (Photo by Sportfot.) Wellington, FL - The final round of the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series was held on Thursday afternoon with a victory for Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner's Danny Boy at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Week 11 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival is sponsored by FTI Consulting Inc. The week's feature events will include the final Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., and the feature event of the...

Samantha Richards, 2010 AMHA/Team Morgan Win a Morgan Horse Contest winner. (Photo courtesy AMHA.) Shelburne, VT — Nineteen-year-old Samantha Richards of Laramie, WY, recently was announced as the 2010 American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA)/Team Morgan Win a Morgan Horse Contest winner. Samantha recently met her new filly, CBMF Stolen Kisses, a full sister to world champion, Continental Vision. Richards originally hails from Maryland, and attends the University of Wyoming, where she is...

Lauren Barwick. (Photos courtesy Lindsay Y McCall.) Del Mar, CA - Canadian Para-Equestrian Team member Lauren Barwick dominated the Grade II division at the 2011 Dressage Affaire at the Del Mar Horsepark during the CPED13* Para-Equestrian Dressage competition, riding away with the blue ribbon on Off To Paris and the red on Ferdonia 2 in the Individual Test. Barwick also took home top honors in the Freestyle, riding Ferdonia 2 to first place with a high score of 75.167% and earning second on Off...

Lizzie Snow graduated from High School in 2010 and has represented Area VII at the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North in 2009 and 2010. In 2010 she won Team Gold and Individual Bronze at the 2010 event and made a successful move up to the CCI2* level. The Portland, OR native is now based in Southern Pines, NC. I can’t believe it’s already the end of March. I feel like the year just began but now the spring season is halfway done! My...

Lucy Davis and Nemo. (Flying Horse Photography.) Thermal, CA - The 20th Anniversary of the HITS Desert Circuit was a success from start to finish, with beautiful weather, great competition and record entries for the first time since 2007. The fifth season at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA, was a world-class show jumping experience for trainers, owners, riders and spectators, alike. All four of the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix took place before sold-out VIP and general...