Ocala, FL - February 15, 2011 - It wasn't just an illusion when Taylor McMurtry and her own Just An Illusion won Sunday's $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. The horse-and-rider combination celebrated their first Grand Prix win ever to conclude the Ocala Winter Classic. "I'm so happy!" exclaimed McMurtry, 18, who found her way to the top on a beautiful sunny day at HITS Post Time Farm. "I'm overwhelmed. Especially since it was my goal to win a Grand Prix this year, I am...

Wellington, FL - February 14, 2011 - The fifth week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) has concluded at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, and another week of fantastic competition was held. The FTI WEF hosts the best that the sports of show jumping, hunters and equitation have to offer in 12 rings of competition. $150,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix presented by Spy Coast Farm An exciting jump-off topped off a fantastic class on Saturday evening in the $150,000 FEI World...

Laura Kraut and Cedric. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - February 12, 2011 - An exciting jump-off topped off a fantastic class this evening in the $150,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI 3*-W presented by Spy Coast Farm, as Laura Kraut (USA) and Cedric added another grand prix victory to their tally at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Following their win in the $78,000 Adequan CSI2* Grand Prix last Sunday, Kraut and Cedric bested an all-star field tonight with a picture perfect...

Brooke Coleman of Texas A&M University and Striptease. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - February 11, 2011 - The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) hosted the second annual Collegiate Equitation Championship today at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Riders from 16 universities around the country gathered to compete in a head-to-head, bracket-style format. It was Brooke Coleman from Texas A&M University who claimed victory in the championship. Invitations were...

McLain Ward and Antares F. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - February 10, 2011 - The fifth round of the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series was held on Thursday afternoon at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center with a victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Grant Road Partners' Antares F. The pair was the fastest of three clear jump-off rounds in the class to win over 64 starters. Today's $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup grand prix was held over a course designed by Alan Wade of Co. Tipperary,...

Daphne Preece with Bon Orphco. (Photo courtesy of JRPR.) Wellington, FL - February 9, 2011 – Daphne Preece’s four-year-old Lusitano gelding, Bon Orphco, showed the judges he has what it takes to be a champion when he rode away with the High Score Lusitano Award at the Gold Coast Dressage Opener Festival CDI. Sponsored by the Lusitano Collection, hosts of The 2011 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction, the High Score Lusitano Award is presented to the highest scoring Lusitano at select...

Hannah Burnett had a meteoric rise to the highest levels of the sport, after coming up through the Young Riders program, she completed the 2007 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* with Keep the Faith at the age of 21. She has since won the 2009 USEF National CCI2* Championship and the 2010 National CCI3* Championship, both with Dick Thompson's St. Barths. Find out more about Hannah at: www.HSBEventing.com . I can’t believe it’s already 2011 and time to start the winter eventing season! Last...

Lexington, KY - At the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) Annual Conference, outstanding achievements in the Kentucky equine industry were recognized. High point individual accomplishments were recognized at the January 14 banquet through six KHC programs: Youth Saddlebuster, KHC Natural Pleasure, KHC Trail Pleasure, Eventing/Dressage Horse of the Year, Hunter/Jumper Horse of the Year, and Stock Seat Horse of the Year. For the second consecutive year, Colt McGuire of Campbellsburg earned the 2010...

Wellington, FL - January 24, 2011 - The second week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued successfully at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. In addition to 12 rings of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition, there was plenty happening on the grounds. Here are upcoming events at the FTI WEF: Exhibitor Party at the White Horse Tavern, sponsored by Equine Couture/Tuff Rider- Friday, January 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pick up your ticket at the stabling office or in...

January is time for new beginnings. A fresh start. It's also the time each year when the administrators, movers-and-shakers, the USEF general membership and the media gather together for a long weekend of meetings, discussions, debates and several of the year's most anticipated galas. It's known as the USEF Annual Meeting, and it's now underway in Louisville, KY. As is tradition, Wednesday night serves as the Welcome Reception where everyone has a chance to party before the real...