Lexington, Ky. - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce the return of Scott Hassler and Willy Arts for the 2016 USDF Sport Horse Prospect Development Forum. This year's event will, again, feature a live forum approach and provide a correct, fundamental system for starting sport horse prospects. The program is intended for trainers, owners, and breeders nationwide, with the goal of developing a consistent training foundation for all sport horse prospects as they...

McLain Ward and Tina La Boheme (The Book LLC) Bridgehampton, N.Y. - McLain Ward sped to the top in the $30,000 Boar's Head Open Jumper Challenge, presented by Dan's Papers, on opening day at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. The win marked the four-time Olympic veteran's first competition since leading the US team to a silver medal at the Rio Olympic Games. Ward's 2004 gold medal Olympic teammate Peter Wylde was second and Shane Sweetnam of Ireland was third. Ward of Brewster, NY,...

Aaron Vale and Quidam's Good Luck (Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Aaron Vale has taken the early lead in the 2016 Hagyard Challenge Series by claiming the second and third place positions during Thursday's $34,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic CSI3*. Vale, who has been competing at the Kentucky Horse Shows for 28 years, rode Quidam's Good Luck and Finou 4 to double-clear rounds, finishing just shy of the winner, Pablo Barrios on ASD Farfala. The Kentucky Spring Horse...

Victoria Colvin and Austria 2 (Mancini Photos) Wellington, Fla. – With the spectacular center arena of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center set to host Grand Prix competition for the final time in the first half of 2016, a field of 43 horses and riders tested their mettle over an elaborate course designed by Mexico’s Catsy Cruz. Headlined by PonyUp Horse Treats, a producer of sustainably farmed, all natural treats, the class marked the concluding premier international...

John Whitaker (GBR) and Bertram Allen (IRL) (GCL/Stefano Grasso) Miami - Global Champions League blasted off in 2016 in Miami Beach with a knife edge victory for the dynamic duo of John Whitaker (GBR) and Bertram Allen (IRL) in team Valkenswaard United. It was a dazzling launch for the thrilling new competition format as some of the world’s top riders became team mates for the first time, propelling show jumping into a new era. Riders, fans and guests hailed the debut and spoke of its...

The 39th Annual American National Riding Commission (ANRC) Intercollegiate Equitation Championship is being hosted by Centenary College, Laurinburg, Long Valley, New Jersey, on April 15-17, 2016. Approximately 15-20 college teams will showcase their most talented riders, who will be judged and scored in four phases: a Program Ride (including USEF hunter equitation tests); a Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Course; a Derby Style Equitation Course (over natural obstacles in a field); and a written...

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the nine 2015 Equestrians of Honor. Laura Graves (StockImageServices.com) Laura Graves Geneva, Fla. Dressage The William C. Steinkraus Trophy is presented to an equestrian competing in the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing, or show jumping. Laura Graves has spent 2015 solidifying her name amongst top dressage athletes here in the U.S., as well as abroad. At only 28-years-old, Graves and her mount, Verdades,...

(c) Ferrara Photography Aurora, Colo. – The 2015 Youth National Arabian & Half-ArabianChampionship Horse Show and Shopping Expo is set from July 18 to 25 at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. Youth Nationals is free and open to the public. Youth exhibitors will have the chance to show off their hard work over a week period in a variety of classes. Classes will range in every discipline from English pleasure to working cow horse, to driving and more; showing the versatility of the Arabian...

Jessica Stallings and Jennifer DesRoche The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce three grant recipients of its Elysium Farm Fund for U.S. Breeder Excellence; Gigha Steinman of River Oaks Farm (FL), Barbara Cadwell (FL), and Jessica Stallings and Jennifer DesRoche of Signature Sport Horses (NC). The Elysium Farm Fund for U.S. Breeder Excellence, established at The Dressage Foundation in 2011 by Abbey Henderson, owner of Elysium Farm (MA), provides financial assistance to breeders to pursue...

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named 26 athletes to the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Vaulting Team. The U.S. will be represented across four divisions of competition. Individual Female The following athletes have been named to the Short List for the Individual Female division (in ranked order): Mary McCormick (Woodside, Calif.) Mary Garrett (Mountain View, Calif.) Elizabeth Ioannou (Saratoga, Calif.) Alicen Divita (Redwood,...