Patrick Seaton wanted to win the $30,000 Golden Gate Grand Prix so he could claim the Woodside Jumper Accumulator prize of $20,000. Peter Breakwell wanted to win because he was tired of finishing second to Seaton. Macella O’Neill wanted to win because she is a fierce competitor and has a string of solid jumping horses. But in the end, a former Zone 10 Young Rider jumped a little higher, turned a little faster, and dared to leave a stride out to claim her first Grand Prix victory. Twenty-six...

David O’Connor, President of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), Olympic Gold medalist, Pam American Games and World Equestrian Games medalist, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Horse Council (AHC). In 2004, O’Connor officially retired from international competition and was elected as president of USEF for the 2005-2009 term, and has now been re-elected for another four-year term. As president, he works closely with the FEI, the international governing body...

Lexington, KY - Two of the top U.S. drivers are taking on some of the world’s best at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen in Aachen, Germany as part of their important preparation for the 2008 World Driving Championships. After the dressage, U.S. drivers Chester Weber and Tucker Johnson are sitting comfortably in first and third. Weber, the current USEF National Champion, bested a star studded field of 25 four-in-hands to go into the lead after the dressage on a score of 36.48. Driving...

As part of the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s video streaming from the Lexington Junior League Horse Show on Saturday, July 12, they will again offer a live video of the American Saddlebred Museum’s 2008 Art Auction held at The Red Mile’s historic Round Barn. “A wide and interesting variety of items will come to the auction block this year,” said Tolley Graves, Event Coordinator. “Anyone especially interested in the works of George Ford Morris will not be disappointed, as eight of his...

Riding For Reading, a non-profit organization 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting reading, literacy and education through equestrian sports and activities, is pleased to announce that its Riding For Reading Class will be held at three different shows during the summer. The Riding For Reading Class at the Golden Gate Classic, July 4, in Woodside, CA, will kick off the summer. “I believe that reading is the most important aspect of a child’s education," stated Show Manager Chris Collman. “After all,...

The prestigious Lexington Junior League Horse Show, first jewel of the American Saddlebred Triple Crown and billed as the largest outdoor Saddlebred competition in the world, begins Monday, July 7. Streaming live video will again be available worldwide at www.saddlebred.com , courtesy of the Junior League and the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA). For times, show schedule, ticket prices to see the show in person, and special events, as well as additional information on the Lexington...

Lexington, KY – Aiken, SC resident Meghan Benge won an Individual Gold medal today at the 2008 FEI World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities CPEAI4* in Greven, Germany. Driving Jack, a pony borrowed from England, Benge won the dressage and never looked back. She also led the U.S. to a Team Silver at the conclusion of today’s Cones competition. Benge’s teammates were Arroyo Grande, CA.driver Diana Kastama, who drove her own horse Jasper to the Individual Bronze medal, followed very...

Richard Spooner and Cristallo won the CSI5* Grand Prix du Prix de Monaco. This was the fourth leg of the Global Champions Tour 2008. Spooner and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding sped around the course and picked up the win with a time of 38.99 seconds, only 0.02 seconds ahead of second place. Jeanne Hobbs won the Fourth Class at the FEI CSIO4* at Lipica, Slovenia. It was a 1.45 meter class with 58 starters. Hobbs was riding Night and Day 8, a 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding. In the Team...

Oklahoma City, OK – Under the lights at the Oklahoma State Fair Park, Craig Schmersal bested some of the top reiners in the country to win the 2008 Adequan®/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Open Reining Championship presented by Equine Motorcoach. Schmersal, an Oklahoma native, won the title along with his share of the $25,000 in added money. The USEF championship was part of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. This is Schmersal’s second time...

The week’s final spotlight shown on the children-adult jumpers as 47 horses took center stage with hopes of landing the starring role in Classic Company-sponsored $15,000 Jumper Classic. Carri Carse aboard her mount Letterman had the final call back and left the Georgia Horse Park all smiles. On Saturday, Derek Petersen of Archer, FL, captured his second Outback Steakhouse-Horses Helping Horses Grand Prix aboard Jordan Coyne’s Larazo, delivering an exciting conclusion to a weekend of giving at...