Lexington, KY - To reach the highest level of excellence in equestrian sport takes talent, perseverance, a tremendous spirit and often, unwavering courage. In 2011, six horses have shown the world those qualities and more. And on January 13, 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. This year - a change from years past - both a national and international horse will win. The...

Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One. Photo: Shannon Brinkman. GUADALAJARA, Mexico - In a sport of inches it came down to 7/100ths of a second. Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) had led the 2011 Pan American Games since Wednesday, and when she landed over the last fence in the second round of the day it seemed Individual Gold was secure with her fifth clear round of the Games. Until the clock stopped. She and Coral Reef Via Volo finished with a time of 66.07, just over the time allowed of 66...

GUADALAJARA, Mexico - Immaculate jumping won Individual eventing medals at the 2011 Pan American Games - and the top three horses were beautifully ridden over three days. Canadian Jessica Phoenix held onto her dressage lead, adding nothing to her winning score of 43.9 with Don Good's Pavarotti. She had the Team Gold medal-winning Americans chasing her all weekend, and after the last fence was jumped, she shared the medal podium with two of them. Hannah Burnett and Harbour Pilot won Silver...

Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania National Horse Show has always set the standard for show event excellence. In its 66th year, the tradition continues with the event being named “Horse Show of the Year” by the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame and “Top 25” by the North American Riders Group. Scheduled to run from October 13 through October 22, 2011, this year’s show promises to be popular with both exhibitors and spectators alike. The competition will be intense,...

Things are getting going now. The day started with a trip to the USOC communications headquarters at the Main Press Center - it was great to see everyone and make some plans for the next three weeks. To many of the sport people, what we do is very foreign so I did a lot of explaining about how these horses are going to get to Mexico. The USOC staff is great, I met them all in Colorado Springs a few weeks ago - it is a great reminder that we are part of something so much greater than our sport....

Tracy Fenney on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia. Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano picked up a win and the first qualifying opportunity for the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix. ESI Photography. CULPEPER, VA – After posting a top-20 finish in the 2011 Pfizer Million, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, TX, wasted no time in preparing for next year’s $1 Million Grand Prix. On Sunday, she and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano rode to victory in the...

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...

Lexington, KY - The dressage phase of the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials concluded on Friday with incredibly close scores under sunny skies. Only 10 points separate the top 21 places. The riders representing the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team are very much in the running heading into Saturday's cross country. Eighty of the best eventing horses in the world are vying for top honors at one of the most prestigious CCI4* events in the world, and four of the five American horses are in the...

Lillie Keenan and C Coast Z earned the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals Championship at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show (Photo: Heather Bellock/PMG). Lexington, KY - It was an incredible night for the Final Round of the 2011 $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Spectators gathered in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park to see who would take home tonight's victory. Junior Rider Lillie Keenan rode to success with C...