Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Le Conte siezed the 1.30m Open Jumpers Parker, CO - On the first day of week two of Summer in the Rockies at the Colorado Horse Park, staff, show management and competitors got serious about helping nearby communities ravaged by wildfires. The wildfires span 8,000 acres. A major fire is concentrated in the heavily wooded Black Forest area, northeast of Colorado Springs. Thousands have been evacuated and 80 to 100 homes have been destroyed in the blaze. "Right...

Calgary, Alberta – The $35,000 Spectra Energy Cup 1.60m was the highlight of today's schedule at the Spruce Meadows 'National' Tournament. Darragh Kerins (IRL) and E Muze Yek found the key to a clear round and were fastest in the jump-off for Kerins' first victory in the International Ring. McLain Ward won for the second day in a row, this time on Zander in the $33,000 ATCO Pipelines Cup 1.45m. Another first-time International ring win came for Lauren Tisbo and Roundthorn...

Kent Farrington and Blue Angel (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB – The 2013 Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments began Wednesday, and riding on new turf footing, riders contested four FEI-level competitions. For the third year in a row, Kent Farrington (USA) captured victory in the $33,000 ATB Financial Cup 1.50m, this year with Blue Angel. In the $33,000 Enbridge Cup 1.45m, McLain Ward (USA) was victorious with Super Trooper de Ness. Christine McCrea (USA) and Romantovich Take One...

It was quite a weekend of NCEA action, with two of the top three teams losing. My brief recap of each match is below. No.2 Auburn University def No.1 University of Georgia 12-8 Senior Stephanie Rucci helped lead No.2 Auburn over No.1 Georgia on Saturday (Sophomore Danielle Long) It was a little closer than last time they met, when Auburn won 13-7, but the Georgia Bulldogs couldn’t take advantage of being at home to get a win over the Tigers. Auburn jumped out to a quick lead in this one,...

A big weekend of NCEA competition had its share of upsets and near misses. At the end of it a few things seem certain: there will be a change at the top of the next NCEA Coaches Poll, and there will be plenty of competitive drama leading up to the NCEA National Championship in April. No.3 University of Georgia def. No.1 South Carolina University 11-8 The Gamecocks stole one from the Bulldogs in Bishop during the fall season. On Saturday the Bulldogs stole one back on the South Carolina home...

Lexington, KY - Voting is now open for the coveted 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year award. Following decades of tradition, the winner will again be announced when the horse world meets at the United States Equestrian Federation's annual Pegasus Awards gala. This year's gala will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at The Henry Clay in Louisville, Kentucky and broadcast live on the USEFNetwork presented by Smartpak . Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, eight stars of equestrian...

McLain Ward and Antares F (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington, KY - It was a very emotional night at Alltech National Horse Show as McLain Ward piloted his top mount Antares F to victory during the Alltech $250,000 Grand Prix, benefitting the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. The win comes just days after the passing of his father, Barney Ward, who had been Ward's most important supporter. Ward rode through his grief to beat six others in the jump-off, as the first to compete on his...

Jonathan McCrea and Twisther take the 1.45m Speed Stake (Parker/Russell-The Book LLC) North Salem, NY - The spectacular Old Salem Farm was the backdrop for sensational show jumping action on the second day of The American Gold Cup in North Salem, NY. Forty-six riders took to the field in the warm afternoon sun for the Danbury Porsche Audi $10,000 1.45m Speed Stake held in the Grand Prix ring. Jonathan McCrea edged out the competion on Twisther with a time of 66.156. "You know, I think I'm...

Jeffery Welles and Laracon (Tammy Hardy Photography) Hampton Falls, NH – There were four exciting show jumping classes hosted Saturday at The Jumper Classic®, presented by Fidelity Investments® and Audi of America. In the $12,000 Speed Derby, Jeffery Welles of Brewster, NY, and Laracon, owned by Amanda Gunthel, were fastest for first place. Located in the beautiful town of Hampton Falls, NH, at the Silver Oak Equestrian Center, The Jumper Classic is New England’s premier...

Paul O’Shea and Instant Karma won the $30,000 Manchester & the Mountains Grand Prix on Saturday, August 4, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Ireland’s Paul O’Shea and Instant Karma were the winners in the $30,000 Manchester & the Mountains Grand Prix, sponsored by Purina Horse Feed, on Saturday, August 4, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival. In a three-horse jump-off, O’Shea and Instant Karma...