Elkton, Md.- The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International began Thursday with the first half of the CCI2* field completing their dressage tests and U.S. entries taking initials steps toward 2013 USEF National Two Star Championship honors. Boyd Martin and Pancho Villa seized the lead following the first day of competition scoring 41.4 in front of the Ground Jury of Judy Bradwell and Bobby Stevenson. Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and the Pancho Villa Syndicate’s 10-year-old Selle Francais cross...

John Pearce and Son of Gun jumping their way to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - With hopes of million-dollar success, John Pearce of Bermuda Dunes, California made his way east this week and piloted Forest View Farm’s Son of a Gun to the top of the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties on Friday. Pearce is one of several West Coast riders who are in Saugerties preparing for next...

Last week I posted a virtual show entry video from an amazingly brave woman who continues to allow me to use her material for examples in this blog. Her courage and generosity inspire me and I hope that her open heart and willingness to be visible inspire you too. I hope that some of you readers are able to identify with her as a peer, a rider struggling to understand riding and training her stock horse and that you professionals at least respect her courage. Reaction to the video has been...

Ian Silitch and Party Girl on their way to a $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix win (©ESI Photography) Culpeper, VA - Ian Silitch admits that it’s hard to jump ten jumps perfectly no matter how good your horse is, but came close enough to perfection to win the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix on Saturday at HITS Culpeper. Silitch of Ocala, Florida and Linda Bamman’s Party Girl coupled scores of 86 and 81 for a total of 167 and the win by only one point. “I have been riding Party Girl...

Fifi Schmidt and Gotta Dance rode to the Performance 3'3"-3'6" Hunter Championship during the Fieldstone Summer Showcase I (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group) Halifax, MA - Fifi Schmidt and Gotta Dance rode to the top of the Performance 3'3"-3'6" Hunter Championship today during the Fieldstone Summer Showcase I. Blue skies greeted riders at the Main Hunter Ring early this morning, welcoming the second day of competition at the Fieldstone Show Park. Lisa Foster and Castleguard returned...

Lexington, KY - The 2013 US National Pony Jumper Championship, held as part of the US Pony Finals, came to an exciting conclusion on Friday night with Individual titles up for grabs. Twenty-one competitors came back to jump a fourth round over Marc Donovan’s testing course. A single rail Individual Medalists (Shawn McMillen Photography) separated the top 11 riders heading into Friday’s final round and a fourth round would not be enough as competitors would need to jump off for all...

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl on their way to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties (ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - Quality Girl’s feet were lightning fast and her turns were tight as she carried Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, Friday at HITS Saugerties. Besting a field of 47, Minikus added another grand prix to a long list of top finishes with his own Quality Girl during...

McLain Ward and Zander jumped their way to a win in the $75,000 AIG Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties this weekend (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - McLain Ward’s mount Zander proved that he is coming into his own in the grand prix ring on Sunday. The nine-year-old gelding was purchased by Ward of Brewster, New York and Grant Road Partners a year and a half ago and picked up several respectable wins over the last year, the most recent being this weekend’s $75,000...

McLain Ward and Love jumping their way to a win in the $50,000 Horze-Equestrian Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - Love conquered all this weekend at HITS Saugerties. McLain Ward and his new mount Love beat a star-studded crowd to pick up the top prize in the $50,000 Horze-Equestrian Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. After only two days in the country, Love – a nine-year-old Selle Francais import from France – arrived at...

Kristin Hardin and Aran are too fast to beat in $10,000 Circuit Opener Grand Prix (Sheri Scott) Woodside, CA - The jump-off of the Woodside Circuit Opener (June 19-23) Grand Prix was a case of fast, faster, fastest, and it was veteran Kristin Hardin on the inexperienced Aran (Pamela Levin, owner) who topped the 24-horse field over Danny Foster’s challenging track. Only four horse and rider combinations managed clear rounds over the demanding course, with the combination toward the end...