Wellington, FL - Last week's Dressage Under the Stars was a crowd favorite, as four former dressage young riders competed to fantastic popular music in exciting dress. Riders last week were Mica Mabragana from Argentina, Kasi Barteau who did a rendition of the Lion King, winner of the evening Jocelyn Wylese, and Mary Lauthorio who made her horse into a rocket ship in honor of the final NASA spaceship launch. Neil Hirsh, owner of the Player's Club which hosts the evening remarked "It was...

McLain Ward and Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve. (Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Saturday night at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve in the $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2* Grand Prix. The class was held on a beautiful Florida evening under the lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Riders representing 12 different countries made up the international field this evening, showing over a course...

Wellington, FL - Dressage rider Tina Konyot, and her World Equestrian Games partner Calecto V, turned in brilliant performances in the Grand Prix classes at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI to ride into the winner’s circle. Konyot also rode away with the “Rider Wellness Award” from The Wellington Institute, awarded to a rider on the Florida dressage circuit who is healthy looking and physically fit. Calecto, a magnificent black stallion that represented the U.S. at WEG,...

Nadine Buberl and Wellington Sandro Star. (Photo courtesy of Tuania and Dave Reed.) Wellington, FL – Nadine Buberl, who rides and trains at Cesar Parra’s Piaffe-Performance Farm, rode into the winner’s circle at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI as the high score winner. Buberl’s high score, aboard Wellington Sandro Star, helped her take home the Everglades Dressage High Score Award at the show, sponsored by Everglades Dressage and Bethany Peslar. “Wellington Sandro Star is a...

Lexington, KY – It is with great sadness that the USEF acknowledges the passing of Debby Malloy Winkler. The German based American show jumping rider died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall while cooling out her horse following a training session on Friday. Wife to five-time German Olympian Hans Günter Winkler, Winkler began her career in the U.S. before moving to Europe in the late 1970s, she then made her home there for the remainder of her life where she regularly competed against...

Sharon McCusker and Wrigley with Anne Gribbons (Eva Salomon/USEF Archives) Lexington, KY - Dressage riders in Florida had the opportunity to hone their skills with USEF Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons and USEF Developing Dressage Coach Debbie McDonald in a USEF Observation Session, February 14-15. Ten riders and 12 horses took part in the two day session which followed a weekend of competition for many at the Wellington Classic Spring Challenge CDI-W. Held at Walter and Mary Anne McPhail's High...

Alexandria Desiderio and TL Foolin Around+. (Photo by Don Stine.) Aurora, CO - Earning 522.5 points might come naturally for the 2010 Youth Amateur of the Year Alexandria Desiderio, from Chester, NJ. "It kinda happened by accident—I didn't go out of my way—I just show so much now, it's crazy," says Desiderio. But you can't really say Desiderio's points came easily; unless 30-plus hours a week in the saddle sounds easy. Desiderio came by her 522.5 points with the help of three horses at 13...

Beezie Madden and Mademoiselle. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - February 18, 2011 - Two-time Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, rode Abigail Wexner's Mademoiselle to victory in the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 6 today at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The grand prix was held on the grass at The Stadium, and riders and spectators alike enjoyed the beautiful weather and change of scenery at the venue. The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival's sixth week of...

Daisy Farish and Elation are the Gotham North Small Pony Hunter Champions. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - February 6, 2011 - Numerous championships were awarded in the pony hunter divisions. The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3, hosts some of the fanciest ponies in the country. Today, the Gotham North Small Pony Hunters were among those awarded. Loads of spectators, including many pony riders and their accompanying family members, filled the areas surrounding...

Aurora, CO — The Arabian Horse Foundation has announced it received a $50,000 gift from the Barbara Wright Hutton Trust, the largest gift the non-profit entity has ever received since re-launching in 2007. The $50,000 gift was directed to horse rescue and rehoming and to equine research. “This gift speaks volumes for the message it conveys and represents an investment in the future of the Foundation,” said AHF President Larry Kinneer. “It is a clear indication of a family’s belief and trust in...