Hector Florentino and Ultimo won the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. (Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG). Lexington, KY - It was an exciting night for the first grand prix event in the Hagyard Challenge Series at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Thirty-seven horse and rider combinations gathered at the Rolex Stadium in the Kentucky Horse Park to compete for the winning title during the $30,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. Eight horses advanced to the jump-off, and it...

People say things always happen for a reason. Throughout the past few months I have had loads of change come my way and have learned to deal with things the way that they have presented themselves. This spring season has not been the best for Pop and me. He turned 14 this past January and has done more than I have ever thought he would. Many people told me he would never go preliminary and, for a while, I believed them. He was tough in the beginning and after the first few trainings he did I...

Dressage Jan Ebeling and Rafalca. Photo by Aly Sanderford/Phelps Media Group. Three American dressage riders traveled to Leipzig, Germany, to compete in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final, April 27-May 1. Jan Ebeling, Catherine Haddad-Staller and Shawna Harding all qualified to compete in the Grand Prix Freestyle after strong performances in the Grand Prix presented by Sparkasse on Thursday afternoon. Ebeling rode Ann Romney's Rafalca to a 10th place finish on a score of 68.191% in...

Defending champion Edward Gal (NED) will be sixth to go in the grand prix as the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Final gets underway in Leipzig, Germany tomorrow. The draw took place this evening, and the order of go will be as follows: 1, Kompliment (Sergey Pusko) UKR; 2, Weinzauber (Robert Acs) HUN; 3, Rafalca (Jan Ebeling) USA; 4, Skovlunds Mas Guapo (Mikaela Lindh) FIN; 5, Ekwador (Katarzyna Milczarek) POL; 6, Sisther de Jeu (Edward Gal) NED; 7, Come on 111 (Shawna Harding) USA; 8, Leo Af...

Laura Kraut and Cedric (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center experienced one of its biggest crowds ever on Saturday night as more than 7,000 spectators filled the stands to watch Laura Kraut (USA) and Cedric race to victory in the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* during week eleven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Kraut and Cedric won two grand prix classes in a row earlier in the circuit with victories in the $78,000...

Scottsdale, AZ - Once again, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show provided 11 days of electrifying entertainment to a packed show-ground from February 17-27, 2011. Any attendee will tell you that this event is a phenomenal production. With six constantly busy arenas where the beautiful and versatile Arabian horse could be seen competing in every type of class, an extravagant shopping expo and the best food Scottsdale has to offer – this show had something for everyone. To provide some idea of the...

Wellington, FL - At the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival came to a close. The FTI WEF hosts the best that the sports of show jumping, hunters, and equitation have to offer in 12 rings of competition. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival hosted its 10th annual $75,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday evening, presented by G&C Farm, with an exciting victory for Team USA. Made up of Mario Deslauriers riding Urico, owned by Jane F....

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...

Lexington, KY – Have you ever had an equestrian dream that you just couldn’t quite reach? Do you wish you could have a special experience in the equestrian world but challenging circumstances have gotten in your way? If so, then a newly launched scholarship program may just make your dreams reality. The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Foundation “Making A Dream” Scholarship Program is philanthropic in nature and extends opportunities to individuals with unique circumstances who...

Lexington, KY - American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) members, youth and guests poured into the ballroom at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY, on February 19, 2011 to enjoy the culminating event of the 2011 ASHA Convention & Youth Conference, the Saddlebred Gala. Included in the night’s festivities were acceptance speeches by the recipients of ASHA’s Annual Awards, several of whom were greeted with rousing ovations. Award recipients included Lifetime Achievement...