Oklahoma City, OK - The last Thursday in November is known to most as Thanksgiving Day or the day before “Black Friday.” But to reiners around the world, it’s known as the first day of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show. The NRHA kicked-off competition today with the first go, first section of the $540,000 added NRHA Open Futurity featuring the world’s most talented three-year-old reining...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) welcomes SmartPak Equine as the presenting sponsor of USEF Network, the Federation's multi-media platform featuring live and on-demand video, news, photography, competition information and select coverage from shows and events across the country. "We are positively thrilled to be partnering with U.S. Equestrian Federation to help grow the already successful USEF Network," said Colby Balazs, SmartPak Vice President of Marketing....

Temecula, CA — Although the rains returned at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event today, they couldn’t stop the juggernaut that was British rider James Alliston. He started the day by winning the CCI1* aboard Mojo, then he placed second in the CCI2* with Tivoli. And then he finished his day with a victory in the CCI3*, the last event on the PRO Tour Series, aboard India McEvoy’s Jumbo’s Jake, and also placed seventh with his own Parker II. “I got the day...

Temecula, CA — Sara Mittleider and Harry Houdini put in a measured dressage test on Thursday, but the Trakehner gelding looked just as at home on the cross-country course today as he galloped around faultlessly to maintain their lead in the CCI1*. Mittleider, of Kuna, Idaho, was thrilled with her rising star, whom she’s only been riding for a year and half. “I was very impressed with the maturity and confidence he showed today. The footing was a non-issue, and I was so, so...

James Alliston of Great Britain and Jumbo’s Jake put on a masterful display of cross-country riding to move in to the lead in the CCI3* at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event, with a score of 45.4. Alliston, who lives in Castro Valley, Calif., finished faultlessly aboard India McEvoy’s 13-year-old Irish Sporthorse, taking over the top spot after dressage leaders Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM suffered a refusal at fence 23, the PRO Water Complex, and second-placed...

They say it never rains in Southern California, but the heavens opened up on the CCI3* competitors at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. Still, the conditions didn’t prevent Buck Davidson, on Carl and Cassie Segal’s Ballynoe Castle RM, from taking the lead in dressage, scoring 41.8. “’Reggie’ was fantastic,” said Davidson, of Ocala, Fla. “He just keeps showing up. I just couldn’t be happier with him—he just steps up and does...

Lexington, KY - Two members of the Gold-medal winning 2011 Pan American Games Eventing Team, Buck Davidson and Michael Pollard, and the alternate, Kristin Schmolze, were awarded Land Rover Competition and Training Grants to travel to Temecula, CA and compete at the Galway Downs CCI, November 4-6. Davidson and Pollard were each awarded $8,000 grant to contest the CCI3*, while Schmolze was awarded a $6,000 grant to compete in the CCI2*. Because of logistical and timing conflicts due to being part...

Scott Stewart and Garfield. Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. Washington, D.C. - The 53rd annual Washington International Horse Show continued hunter competition for professional and amateur riders today, and a multitude of championship coolers, shining trophies, and fluttering ribbons were awarded. Scott Stewart of Flemington, NJ, rode Alexandra Crown's Garfield to the Grand Hunter Championship. Stewart was also named the Leading Hunter Rider after he won four tricolor ribbons. Becky Gochman of...

WESTPORT, CT - America's Favorite Equestrians will be selected based on the athletes with the highest number of votes recorded in each of the eight disciplines. The announcement will be made at the America's Favorite Equestrian Victory Celebration on Friday, November 4, 2011, at 9:30 p.m., at the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky. This is it! Keep Voting! All it takes is a $5 gift to The EQUUS Foundation to insure that your favorite is America's favorite. To vote,...

Harrisburg, PA – Kelly Champion of Washington, NJ rode her horse All In to victory in the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Adult Hunter Finals at the 66th annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Friday. The win was bittersweet for Champion, who was on tap to show at the Capital Challenge two weeks ago, but was unable to compete because her husband, Tony, suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He is recuperating nicely so he urged...