Elizabeth Benson and San Remo. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - It was a busy day for junior riders here at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3. The world's largest horse show plenty of junior riders this weekend in numerous hunter, jumper and equitation divisions. Among the exciting classes was the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search equitation class. Elizabeth Benson, from Whitehouse Station, NJ, took home the blue ribbon and top prize...

Its 12:30 PM and it has already been a really long day for me. This is how it has unfolded to this point, but I’m a little scared to see what happens next. 3:15 am - Woke up in a cold sweat after a dream that I was in Europe with the show jumpers and Ashlee Bond had lost her cat. I have no idea if Ashlee even has a cat. But we were in a major panic in the dream. 4:20 - Alarm goes off after a fitful sleep searching around a back road in Belgium for the lost cat. 4:30 - Drag self out of bed,...

Wellington, FL - At the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival came to a close. The FTI WEF hosts the best that the sports of show jumping, hunters, and equitation have to offer in 12 rings of competition. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival hosted its 10th annual $75,000 FEI Nations Cup on Friday evening, presented by G&C Farm, with an exciting victory for Team USA. Made up of Mario Deslauriers riding Urico, owned by Jane F....

The eventers invaded the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday night, as PRO DerbyCross took center stage before the $30,000 Hermes Puissance. It was good fun, each team had three eventers, one show jumper and one polo player. They jumped three similar, modified courses. Everyone was really game, show jumpers Laura Kraut and Katie Prudent were recruited to jump the solid fences and both not only had a blast – they looked like they knew what they were...

Natalya Jarczyk and Frivole Des Pres. (ESI Photography©.) Ocala, FL - The crowd was red hot on Saturday night at HITS Post Time Farm as Natalya Jarczyk and her own Frivole Des Pres captured the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic. Exhibitors, family and friends filled the stands and The Overlook VIP Club to support one of HITS Ocala's most coveted events. The $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic is one of the most anticipated events of the Ocala...

Lexington, VA - The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) Chapter 18 has announced that by popular demand, Ellen Beard will return as clinician and instructor for their annual Saddle Seat Riding Clinic at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. The clinic, set to take place March 11-12 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, will offer private or group lessons, and the option of bringing your own horse, or riding a horse provided by one of the chapter members. Driving...

Nichole Charbonneau. (Photo courtesy Carolynn Bunch Photography.) Lincoln, NE – The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that Nichole Charbonneau of Lacey, WA, is the 2011 recipient of the $500 Trip Harting Grant. Nichole is the second recipient of this annual grant and plans to use the funds to continue her education in the United States Dressage Federation 'L' Education Program. Trip's friends, students, and admirers established this Fund at The Dressage Foundation in his memory. Trip,...

Louise Serio and Castle Rock won the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Classic Spectacular (© Sportfot) Wellington, FL - February 18, 2011 - Louise Serio and Castle Rock earned a victory in the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Classic Spectacular on Friday evening at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival following two beautiful rounds of competition. After two weeks of qualifying competition, only the top horses and riders had the opportunity to compete in a fantastic class held under the bright lights of the...

Lincoln, NE - February 17, 2011 - The Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund, established at The Dressage Foundation, will provide funding to enable Courtney Dale (ID) to participate in the Region 6 FEI Junior/Young Rider Dressage Clinic in Woodinville, WA, on February 26-27, 2011. Courtney applied to the United States Dressage Federation and was accepted to participate in the upcoming clinic. However, she needed some financial help to make it happen. Courtney received an $800 scholarship from The...

Hayley Barnhill and Casallo. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - February 13, 2011 - Today's competition was the wrap-up of week 5 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs through April 3. Numbers were soaring today as competitors and spectators alike came to enjoy the sunshine and the horses. Among those competitors were the older section of Large Junior Hunters. Casallo was awarded the championship honor in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters. Hayley Barnhill was aboard the John...