On the final day of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the FEI World Team and Individual for Four-in-Hands Driving Championship started the cones phase bright and early at La Prairie Racecourse to determine the medalists on Sunday. Clean rounds were hard to come by over Richard Nicoll’s 20-obstacle cones course, with only nine of the 43 drivers adding no penalties to their scores following the marathon phase. Chester Weber had an excellent final day of competition, driving his...

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl claim the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - They’ve been second and third in the money before, but today Todd Minikus (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Quality Girl galloped triumphantly to a Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix win. With the weather on the side of spectator and exhibitor – clear, breezy and comfortable – Minikus was both ecstatic and thankful. “As athletes we appreciate the opportunity and support from...

Caen, France – On the final day of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the FEI World Team and Individual for Four-in-Hands Driving Championship started the cones phase bright and early at La Prairie Racecourse to determine the medalists on Sunday. Clean rounds were hard to come by over Richard Nicoll’s 20-obstacle cones course, with only nine of the 43 drivers adding no penalties to their scores following the marathon phase. Chester Weber had an excellent final day of...

Beezie Madden and Cortes 'C' (SusanJStickle.com) Caen, France - The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team got off to a quick start in Team and Individual Championship competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on Tuesday in the opening Speed Leg. Tidy jumping and efficient lines were the order of the day in the faults-converted class over Frédéric Cottier’s 14-obstacle track in the d’Ornano Stadium. The U.S. team of McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Lucy Davis,...

Caen, France - The Adequan U.S. Reining Team kicked off the opening week for the United States with a spectacular performance at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games earning the Team Gold medal. Andrea Fappani riding Custom Cash Advance, Shawn Flarida riding Spooks Gotta Whiz, Jordan Larson riding HF Jordan Larson, Mandy McCutcheon, Andrea Fappani, Shawn Flarida, and Jeff Petska (Shannon Brinkman) Mobster, and Mandy McCutcheon riding Yellow Jersey all gave electric rides to take the U.S....

Lexington, Ky. – Another day of competition at the US Hunter Pony Championship presented by Sallee Horse Vans saw two more championship titles decided on Friday. Madeline Schaefer and Leon collected Medium Green Hunter Pony honors, while Kirklen Petersen and For the Best were named the Large Green Hunter Pony Champions. Both championship divisions completed the Over Fences phase on Friday, earning the final 50% for their overall score, after receiving 25% from both the Model and Under...

Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Ireland's Shane Sweetnam is well known for helping produce top young mounts, and Thursday he showed how it is done with the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Bijzonder. When seven horses go double clear in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, the only way to win is with speed, and although Bijzonder is just learning to go fast, he clearly has a knack for it. Sweetnam sped across the finish line two seconds...

Lisa Goldman & Morocco (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, Mich. - Lisa Goldman is now two-for-two in the featured jumper classes so far during Horse Shows by the Bay Series IV, July 23-27. After taking the blue ribbon yesterday with Centurion B in the $2,500 1.40m Open Jumper Speed class, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone, she returned today with Morocco for the top check in the $10,000 Positive Step Farm Welcome Prix. With 11 of the 23 competitors jumping first-round...

Josephina Nor Lantzman and Chello Z (Captured Moments Photography) Del Mar, Calif. - The competition was fierce in Friday's $25,000 1.40m Markel Insurance Grand Prix at the Showpark Summer Festival. Thirty-nine entries competed for the top prize, with horses and riders ranging from seasoned competitors to greener mounts looking for experience. As the course required universal appeal while retaining grand prix technicality, veteran course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela built a track...

Traverse City, Mich. - The best proved to be the last after a thrilling jump-off during the $40,000 Grand Traverse Bay Grand Prix, held as the featured jumper class on July 13 at Horse Shows by the Bay. Michael Dorman had that envious position in the 14-horse jump-off, and he used it to his advantage aboard Zephyr, the same horse he rode to top honors during the $40,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City last week. "I changed my plan a little bit after I saw the last few go," he said. "I figured...