Gulfport, MS A very positive-minded 23-year-old Sarah Mechlin of Cincinnati, OH, partnered with Yes Indeed took the top spot over 50 competitors in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during the fourth week of the Gulf Coast Winter Classics. Fifty equine athletes were being braided before dawn and began lunging at 5:30 Friday morning in preparation for their first big test, the official presentation and jog before the panel of judges- Mike Rosser, Ray Francis, Betsy Perry, Tucker...

Last night was awesome. The standard of riding demonstrated by the US riders was unbelievable. McLain, Mario, Margie and Beezie gave a riding lesson in how to ride effectively and efficiently to everyone that was watching. Beezie also showed some great stickability when Coral Reef Via Volo channeled her inner-pony and decided to be a little uncooperative as she took her tour of the ring prior to the buzzer sounding. However, when she went back in for her second round all antics were left...

Boston, MA - More than $95,000 was earned at the 2011 AMHA/WMF Stallion Service Auction, which took place as part of the AMHA Annual Convention in February. The event took place at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston with Bill Carrington serving as auctioneer and David "Tuffy" Owens reading the pedigrees. The overall top-winning bid went to Dan Kelley of Victory Lane Morgans for his bid of $10,000 for the cover of the November/December issue of The Morgan Horse magazine. Bill and Sammi Hazen...

Mario Deslauriers and Victomte D. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - USA's Mario Deslauriers and Vicomte D were victorious in Thursday afternoon's $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 following a competitive class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during international CSIO week at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The FTI WEF's eighth week of competition, sponsored by G&C Farm, continues through Sunday, March 6. Friday will feature the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup...

Mario Deslauriers kicked off CSIO Wellington with a win on Jane Clark’s Vicomte D in the WEF Challenge 8. He will ride Urico on the Nations Cup Team tomorrow but today he topped a big competitive International field, many looking to make sure all the buttons were working for tomorrow night’s $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. I made it just in time to catch most of the class, it feels so nice to get a little sunshine and not constantly looking for my gloves. It was a...

Natalya Jarczyk and Frivole Des Pres. (ESI Photography©.) Ocala, FL - The crowd was red hot on Saturday night at HITS Post Time Farm as Natalya Jarczyk and her own Frivole Des Pres captured the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic. Exhibitors, family and friends filled the stands and The Overlook VIP Club to support one of HITS Ocala's most coveted events. The $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic is one of the most anticipated events of the Ocala...

Wellington, FL - Last week's Dressage Under the Stars was a crowd favorite, as four former dressage young riders competed to fantastic popular music in exciting dress. Riders last week were Mica Mabragana from Argentina, Kasi Barteau who did a rendition of the Lion King, winner of the evening Jocelyn Wylese, and Mary Lauthorio who made her horse into a rocket ship in honor of the final NASA spaceship launch. Neil Hirsh, owner of the Player's Club which hosts the evening remarked "It was...

Nancy Kempe and her new Isabel stallion Cupido Interagro accept a custom made saddle from Cary Walla (Photo courtesy of Darcy Scott.) Wellington, FL – Almost 300 guests were in attendance at the 2011 Lusitano CollectionTM International Horse Auction when dressage rider Nancy Kempe purchased her dream horse, a beautiful Lusitano Isabel stallion named Cupido Interagro, that she described as “the love of her life.” The four-year-old stallion with a sterling pedigree was the highest selling horse...

McLain Ward and Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve. (Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Saturday night at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve in the $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2* Grand Prix. The class was held on a beautiful Florida evening under the lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Riders representing 12 different countries made up the international field this evening, showing over a course...

Rich Fellers and Flexible. (Flying Horse Photography© .) Thermal, CA - Action at the Desert Circuit kicked into high gear on Thursday night as HITS welcomed Stuart Meikle, Director of Equine Marketing for Pfizer Animal Health, and his team, along with several leading veterinarians for an exciting night of show jumping in the indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. The group was treated to a thrilling class as Rich Fellers (Wilsonville, OR) and Flexible, owned by Harry and...