GCT Estoril (GCT Press Office) Estoril, Protugal - There was joy and heartbreak tonight as Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann seized his first Grand Prix win as Portuguese rider Luciana Diniz narrowly missed out on a home victory. After one of the toughest Grand Prix of the season so far, in sizzling temperatures in Estoril, von Eckermann and Gotha came out on top with Scott Brash and Hello Sanctos the only other combination to jump three clear rounds. The local crowd went wild with excitement...

Richard Spooner and Cristallo (Stefano Grasso/Longines GLobal Champions Tour) Monte Carlo, Monaco - Richard Spooner and Cristallo electrified Monte-Carlo Saturday night winning the Riviera Grand Prix for the third time in a record triple. In a spectacular jump off in front of a full house the US rider left William Funnell on Billy Congo in second place and Edwina Tops-Alexander on Guccio in third and shook up the ranking for the 2013 Longines Global Champions Tour series. In a dramatic shift,...

Waco, Texas. - For the first time this season, South Carolina is the nation’s No. 1 collegiate equestrian team according to the latest national team rankings from the National Collegiate Equestrian Association, as determined by the NCEA Selection Committee and announced on Tuesday. Following a pair of Baylor losses and a South Carolina win against Auburn, the Gamecocks move into the No. 1 spot for the first time this year. Georgia, which defeated Texas A&M on Saturday, moves to No. 2....

Lucy Davis became the youngest GCT Grand Prix winner Saturday (GCT Press Office) Lausanne, Switzerland - America's Laura Kraut keeps hold of her season rankings lead after a dramatic second round showdown in Lausanne. Keeping ahead of Christian Ahlmann and Luciana Diniz, Laura Kraut stays on top going into the 11th leg of the season in Vienna, Austria. Keeping US domination strong, California's Lucy Davis stole the show in Lausanne after an unbelievable win, marking the biggest in her...

Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce plans for the 2015 USEF Dressage Youth Program. Under the direction of recently named USEF Dressage Youth Coaches George Williams and Charlotte Bredahl-Baker , the revamped Youth Program will incorporate expanded support for the Platinum Performance/USDF Jr/YR Clinics, rider meetings, coaching support at major events, Outreach Clinics, and a Young Rider European Tour. The USEF Youth Dressage Program is part...

If you like to keep up with equestrian competitions, you’ve been born into a great time. It has never been easier to stay connected to your favorite atheletes and disciplines. There are plenty of good ways to go about it, but I am going to briefly explain why twitter has become my favroite way to keep up with the equestrian action nationally, and internationally. Finding results and watching live events is part of my job, but I need to discover new sources all the time. Of all the avenues...

The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) has implemented an Equitation Awards program through its Affiliate Organizations Medal Classes primarily offered at local and unrecognized horse shows. The goal of this program is to increase the USHJA membership and outreach in the equestrian community, by further informing and educating individuals who partake in equestrian sports at the unrecognized and local horse show level and demonstrating that USHJA has something to offer them through...

Cheryl Van Deusen and JG General. ©Liz Gregg/FEI Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian congratulates the winners of the year-end awards for endurance. As the top-ranked senior endurance athlete, Cheryl Van Deusen (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) will receive the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award. Avery Betz-Conway (Kingsland, Ga.) will receive the Brunges Junior/Young Rider Trophy as the top U.S. junior or young rider endurance athlete. With this year’s win, Van Deusen has now won the...

Gladstone, NJ - The following modifications have been made to the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List in italics and are effective January 1, 2011. Placing Points for Multiple Horses: Currently only a rider's designated Ranking List horse receives Placing Points. All horses will now receive Placing Points, but the rider will only receive the Placing Points from his designated Ranking List horse. Determining Second Classes: The Ranking List Guidelines state that, except for CSIO's, a maximum of...

Lexington, Ky. – In an effort to increase growth and participation of eligible veterans in para-equestrian sport, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has provided grant support for the Paralympic Equestrian Sport Initiative for Veterans. For the past two years, USEF/USPEA International Para-Equestrian Dressage Center of Excellence (COE) Carlisle Academy Integrative Equine Therapy & Sports, in partnership with the US Equestrian Federation (US Equestrian) and the Professional...