Becky Holder and Can't Fire Me (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Tyler, Texas – The 2014 USEF National Open Horse Trial Championship got underway Thursday afternoon at the Texas Rose Horse Park with 12 horse-and-rider combinations performing their dressage tests. Becky Holder and her veteran, Can’t Fire Me, seized the early lead with a near flawless performance in the championship being held in conjunction with the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series Final at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing...

Lexington, Ky. - The final day at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials at Burghley House, Stamford in Lincolnshire, England, wrapped up the event on Sunday with the show jumping phase of competition. Just Marilyn Little and RF Demeter (Libby Law Photography) two Americans were left in the competition, as Hannah Sue Burnett withdrew Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot due to concern over a minor injury. In consultation with the Team Veterinarian and Chef d'Equipe, it was decided that it was...

Jeremy Olson and Wallace Hill Shade (Diana DeRosa Photo) Sartilly, France – On Thursday morning, 165 horse-and-rider combinations set out on the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games endurance course. Covering stretches of sandy beaches, wooded trails, and town streets, Jeremy Olson (La Motte, Iowa), riding his and Amy Wallace-Whelan’s Wallace Hill Shade, were one of only 38 combinations to complete the trying course. Rain throughout the week created difficult footing, leaving...

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...

Kristin Smith & Ophelia (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, Mich. - Kristin Smith's plan was pretty straightforward said trainer Tammy Provost: "To take no prisoners." With 20 of the 35 starters qualifying for the jump-off in the $10,000 North Face Farm Children's/Adult Jumper Prix on July 27, there was no doubt the winner would need to chart a course that combined speed with precision and careful jumping. Designer Scott Starnes' challenging tie-breaker included a daring...

Traverse City, Mich. - July 20, 2014 - Amanda Derbyshire and Attack II left no prisoners during the $40,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes. Derbyshire had the luxury of going sixth of the seven competitors who had qualified for the jump-off in the featured jumper class, held during Horse Shows by the Bay Series III. Derbyshire was able to win the battle by leaving out a stride that second-placed Kim Farlinger hadn't. "I did five strides after the double, where most people did six, and I...

Lexington, Ky. – On Saturday, dressage riders competed for their Freestyle Individual medals in the Rolex Stadium at the 2014 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). In the USDF/Platinum Performance North American Junior and Young Riders' Dressage Championship Catherine Chamberlain (Region 7) and Verdicci won their second Individual Gold medal of the week in the Young Rider division. Camille Bergeron (Canada/Qubec/Alberta)...

Todd Minikus and Babalou 41 (The Book LLC) Lake Placid, N.Y. - Todd Minikus of Wellington, FL, rode Babalou 41 to victory in the $75,000 I Love New York Grand Prix Sunday to culminate the 2014 I Love New York Horse Show, Presented by Sea Shore Stables. Minikus earned the win as the only one from the starting field of 24 to successfully complete the first-round course designed by Show Jumping Hall of Famer Steve Stephens. He became the first rider since Charlie Jacobs in 2009 to win the I Love...

Christian Heineking and October Hill's Cluny (Carrie Wirth) Parker, Colo. - The $30,000 Front Range Kubota Grand Prix was the highlight of the day in the Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix Arena during Week IV of Summer in the Rockies at the Colorado Horse Park. A crowd gathered on the grass to watch great show jumping action. The course was designed by one of the sport's best, Olympic veteran Buddy Brown of Livermore, CA. "I'm hoping for six to eight clear," said Brown about the...

Kevin Staut and Silvana (Stefano Grasso/LGCT) Paris, France - It was a triumphant home win for France in Saturday night's seventh leg of the 2014 LGCT Championship, hosted for the very first time by the City of Lights - Paris. The inaugural Longines Global Champions Tour of Paris Grand Prix was won by a thrilled and emotional Kevin Staut and Silvana, who left the arena to resounding cheers and applause from the crowd. Second went to a very happy Pius Schwizer (SUI) with Toulago, and 3rd to...