Lexington, KY - To reach the highest level of excellence in equestrian sport requires talent, perseverance, a tremendous spirit and often, unwavering courage. In 2012, six horses have shown the world those qualities and more. On January 18, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will bestow two of them with the prestigious title of Horse of the Year, the highest honor the USEF awards a horse. Again this year both a national and international horse will win. The six champions have earned...

Nick Maupin is a 19-year-old student at the University of Wisconsin majoring in Business Marketing and plans to graduate in 2015. From Sussex, Wisconsin, he is on the five-gaited section of the 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. It would not surprise any member of the Saddle Seat world to hear me say that the discipline is generally, along with Saddle Seat Equitation, a female dominated sport. Quite possibly the only time one will see a male majority in a class is in the Open divisions. Not...

Dale Dedrick (Ann Arbor, MI) rode her Bonifatious to a score of 64.619% in the Grade II Individual Test. Here are her thoughts; On her improvement over the Team Test: “It was a much more forward and obedient test; we still had a lot of Erik’s, ‘Oh, no what’s happening now?’. But I was much more prepared for it today, I knew he was going to pull and I was much more ready to attack the minute he tried that and I said, ‘no, no get in there, get in there, get...

Madeline Schaefer Leads the Ranks With Hi Lite Going Into Tomorrow’s Overall Grand Pony Hunter Championship Lili Hymowitz and Rafael claimed Overall Small Pony Hunter Reserve Championship Lexington, KY –The rain had dissipated, and a cool brisk day greeted young riders and their ponies for the fourth day of the 2012 US Pony Finals and US National Pony Hunter Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans. The Large Pony Hunters took center stage in the Walnut ring early in the...

Leigh Cofer and Breaking News made headlines with their NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic victory at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - August 5, 2012 -It was the championship day for the Adult Amateur Divisions at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Riders and their top mounts approached the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park for the final day of the show, examining the courses as they prepared. The Adult Amateurs did not disappoint as they vied for the top...

Cardi (Team Cardi LLC) Welsh Cob stallion North Forks Cardi recently piaffed and passaged his way to four impressive wins in Intermediaire II classes at the Festival of the Horse and the Golden State Dressage Show. Competing against all breeds in a field traditionally dominated by warmblood horses, this eleven year old Welsh Cob stallion, standing 14.3 1/2 hands high, produced his best ever score of 67% and also qualified for the Grand Prix Freestyle, earning a 62% for their Grand Prix ride....

Amanda Steege and Caschmier rode to the top of the hunter results during the Tampa Bay Classic's second day of competition. (Elizabeth Vieira/PMG) Tampa, FL - Thursday saw immense competition as the hunters turned the second day of the Tampa Bay Classic into a nail biter. Although Hunt Tosh piloted his mount Say Again into the spotlight yesterday with his sweeping wins in the over fences, it was Amanda Steege who came out on top earning four hunter championships today. Adrienne Iverson also was...

Katy, TX - As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Nordic Lights Farm wrapped up the 2011 show season during the Final Chase Horse Show at the Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Eirin Bruheim claimed the winning honors during the $5,000 Open Jumper Mini Prix aboard Cicero 75, as well as the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship. Her sister Lene Bruheim was also very successful, earning top honors in the hunter, jumper, and equitation rings. Eirin and her talented mount Cicero...

Devon, PA - More than 35,000 spectators enjoyed the equine entertainment and education provided by more than 700 horses (and their riders) at this year’s Dressage at Devon. Tuesday through Thursday featured the breed division in which young horses, from weanlings to six-year olds, shown both in-hand and under saddle, had their day in the sun (or in the rain depending on the time of day). Friskiness dominated the younger classes as their handlers worked hard to show off their charges. The...

Bridgehampton, NY - The Hampton Classic Horse Show was a tremendous success once again, despite a delayed start due to Hurricane Irene. Celebrities were on hand for this iconic end-of-summer event along with world-class equestrian competition, renowned shopping opportunities, family entertainment and a record-setting performance by two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward. Approximately 150 staff and crew worked from about 5:00 am till dark on Monday, and almost as long on Tuesday, to restore...