Wellington, FL - Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward (USA) was able to beat a field of 39 competitors to take the first round victory in the $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. He and Oh' D Eole triumphed in the jump-off over Charlie Jayne (USA) on Chill R Z and Darragh Kerins (IRL) with Hot Wheels. Today's grand prix marked the start of an exciting show jumping season, where riders will compete over 12 weeks to win bonus money in the...

Lexington, KY – Elizabeth Busch Burke, one of the country’s most celebrated equestrian supporters and granddaughter of August A. Busch, Sr., co-founder of Anheuser-Busch, passed away on December 20, 2011, surrounded by her family and friends. Burke was 76. Over her lifetime, Burke’s passion for equestrian sport and her involvement in the hunter/jumper discipline were legendary. As one of the heirs to the Budweiser Empire, her commitment to financially supporting a long list of...

Sara Schmitt and Kaboom. Photo: Pics of You. The Dressage Foundation has announced that a total of $10,000 has been awarded to U.S. dressage instructors through the Major Anders Lindgren Scholarship program. Due to the recent restructuring of the scholarship guidelines, to provide up to three scholarships per year for the recipients to train in the United States, interest was very high. This year, the Selection Committee chose the following recipients: Sarah Geikie (CT) was awarded the $6,000...

The Gold United States Para-Equestrian Team (Pictured Left to Right: USEF Director Pam Lane, Chef d'equipe Missy Ransehousen, Rebecca Hart, Erin Alberda, Mary Jordan, and in front is Donna Ponessa). Photo: Hope Hand/USPEA. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - When the United States Para-Equestrian Team flew Down Under for the 2011 Melbourne CPEDI3* (held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Center), they were prepared to give it their all. This competition was not just about top scores but it was...

Annville, PA — Competitors hit the jackpot at the inaugural North American League (NAL) West Coast Finals and none of the nearly one hundred exhibitors went home empty-handed. Every NAL member who competed in one of the five classics on “NAL Day” at the Las Vegas National Horse Show on November 6 received a gift bag and an NAL embroidered saddle pad. Those who earned a trip to the victory circle were also rewarded with an array of awards. “We really wanted to celebrate...

Temecula, CA — Sara Mittleider and Harry Houdini put in a measured dressage test on Thursday, but the Trakehner gelding looked just as at home on the cross-country course today as he galloped around faultlessly to maintain their lead in the CCI1*. Mittleider, of Kuna, Idaho, was thrilled with her rising star, whom she’s only been riding for a year and half. “I was very impressed with the maturity and confidence he showed today. The footing was a non-issue, and I was so, so...

Temecula, CA - Max McManamy, on Project Runway, and Amber Levine, on Oz Poof Of Purchase, rode to a perfectly tied score (at 47.8 penalties) and grabbed the lead in the first half of the CCI2* today at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. The pair topped the 15 horses competing today; another 14 compete tomorrow. The two CC1* divisions also performed their dressage tests today. Barbara Crabo leads the classic-format CCI1*, scoring 50.3 penalties on Over Easy, and Sara Mittleider...

For the Laughter and Meredith Darst. Shawn McMillen Photography. Washington, D.C. - The 53rd Washington International Horse Show concluded competition at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. today with the presentation of championship awards in the pony hunter divisions. For The Laughter, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, won the Large Pony Hunter championship for the second year in a row and earned the coveted Grand Pony Hunter Champion award with Meredith Darst in the irons....

The jumpers arrived in the middle of eventing madness and their horses (who all fly regularly) traveled like stars. Lizzy Chesson and George Morris went to team processing and picked up all of their stuff (and the grooms) so that they could jump at Harrisburg and come in on Monday. It is still a mystery how she managed so many suitcases, but luckily the USOC people are super helpful and always have bodies where every necessary. About Half of the Bags that Lizzy Brought from Houston The eventers...

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The U.S. Eventing Team travelled to the Santa Sofia Country Club Saturday and extended their lead at the Pan American Games. All five U.S. riders produced fault-free rounds over John Williams’ cross country track adding nothing to their 138.6 team total. They head into Sunday’s show jumping phase nearly 22 points clear of the second-placed Canadian team. Dressage Leader, Jessica Phoenix of Canada still leads the individual standings with a score of 43.9...