Kevin Babington and Shorapur jump to a win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - When Kevin Babington first laid eyes on Shorapur he knew there was something special about the mare. Despite being told she was too hot for his liking, he had to try her. That first ride was a year and a half ago. Yet, Friday they won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis as if they'd been together forever. “I was like a kid in a candy store the first...

Jay Land and Nepal (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - It's always been a family affair for the Lands, but with young riders Frances and Taylor Land usually picking up the spotlight, it was exciting to see father Jay Land in the winner's circle at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Despite taking a few months off from the show ring, Jay returned ready to win as he laid down a flawless round aboard his veteran mount Nepal in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Richard Jeffery...

Harrie Smolders & Regina Z (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Valkenswaard, The Netherlands - The evening CSI5* 1.50m class at Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard was won by the master of faster Harrie Smolders (NED) and his feisty mare Regina Z, who raced to the top of the class from early in the draw finishing in an unbeatable time of 38.19s. Second went to Constant van Paesschen (BEL) who is hitting form again this season having collected a 3rd this morning. This time the young star rode a...

The victorious U.S. team. (Samantha Lamb) Hickstead, England - The USA team rode out as the winners of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ of Great Britain, held Friday at the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead. The quartet of McLain Ward (Rothchild), Reed Kessler (Cylana), Margie Goldstein-Engle (Royce) and Beezie Madden (Cortes C) led from the start in Friday's feature class of the Longines Royal International Horse Show. After the first round, they were the only nation to finish on a...

William Funnell and Billy Angelo (Samantha Lamb) Hickstead, England - Local rider William Funnell has won plenty at Hickstead over the years, and Thursday he added another title to his collection on day three of the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead (29 July – 3 August). Riding Billy Angelo, William took the feature class of the afternoon – the Bunn Leisure Trophy. Drawn exactly half way through the 50-strong class, William jumped an immaculate clear first round...

Traverse City, Mich. - When Rachel Boggus stepped into the Horse Shows by the Bay Grand Prix Ring for the first round of the HJAM Adult Medal Final on July 26, she was on a mission. Not only did she seek to do her best in the class, but she also wanted to push herself to escape her comfort zone. In the end, she accomplished both goals. Boggus, 32, of Indianapolis, Indiana, topped the three-phase final and also gained valuable experience toward her quest to win the Ariat Adult Medal Finals this...

Tim Goguen and Character (Emily Ride/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - At the end of Wednesday's Kentucky Summer Classic Second Year Green Hunters, the hotly contested division championship had come down to a tie. Both Character, ridden by Tim Goguen, and Silhouette, ridden by John French, sat tied at 32 points, but with more points earned over fences it was Goguen and Character who claimed the division's top title. "He went nicely this week. He tried hard and ended up champion,"...

Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane on their way to a blue in the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix presented by Zoetis. The pair topped an impressive field to take first and $22,500 (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - Of the six jump-off contenders in Sunday’s $75,000 HITS Grand Prix presented by Zoetis, four boasted the colors of Ireland. Ronan McGuigan, Darragh Kerins, with two horses, and Jonathan McCrea made their home country proud as they bested a field of 29 starters. Try as they might,...

Juan Pablo Gaspar and Puetras So What (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - The South American contingent has had a strong showing during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, and Sunday was no exception. Mexico's Juan Pablo Gaspar proved that speed is the name of the game when he took home top honors in the $7,500 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch. Gaspar and his new mount Puetras So What were faultless over the jump-off track with a two...

Todd Minikus (Tom Von Kap-Herr) Bromont, Canada - The 2014 International Bromont’s final event, the World Cup Qualifier, ended with American riders dominatin, as they took seven of the top ten places, including the Top 5. Victory for Todd Minikus Designed for testing both the technical and athletic abilities of participating riders, the course created by Venezualian Leopoldo Palacios, comprised 13 obstacles for 16 efforts in a time allowed of 93 seconds. Only five pairs entered...