Becky Holder and Courageous Comet (Hannah Bennett/USEA Photo) Fairburn, GA - The Merial Advanced division at the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Bit of Britain wrapped up today with the show jumping phase at Chattahoochee Hills. Mark Donovan's tough course had riders incurring numerous jump and time penalties with just five double clear rounds in the division. Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) and Courageous Comet had one rail down but held onto their lead to win the...

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet (Leslie Threlkeld/USEA Photo) Fairburn, GA - The cross country portion of the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Bit of Britain (AEC) took place today for the Merial Advanced division at the lovely facility of Chattahoochee Hills. Making the time on cross country proved to be a challenge on this hot and humid day as almost the entire field incurred time penalties except for two riders. Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) was one of those riders,...

USA Team 2012 (Left to Right, top to bottom) Chef d'Equipe Missy Ransehousen, Jon Wentz, Rebecca Hart, Dale Dedrick and Donna Ponessa (Lindsay Yosay McCall) London, England - "It has been exciting to compete at the home of Para-Dressage," was the phrase echoed among athletes at the 2012 Paralympic Equestrian Games. It was Great Britain that developed Para-Dressage from the grass roots first and created an entire Para-Equestrian culture. It was Great Britain who aligned with their able-bodied...

Lexington, KY - The following drivers have been named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to represent the U.S. in the 2012 FEI Singles Driving World Championships, in Lezirias, Portugal, September 12-16, 2012. Sara Schmitt (Flemington, NJ) was also supposed to represent the U.S. but she has withdrawn. The United States will be represented by the following drivers (in Alphabetical Order): Leslie Berndl (Newcastle, CA) will drive Fritz Grupe's Uminco. Uminco is an 11-year-old...

Reining National Champion Shawn Flarida and Shiners Chick (Waltenberry) Tulsa, OK - The 2012 Adequan/USEF National Reining Championship lived up to its billing on August 31 as six of the top riders in the nation went head-to-head for the title of 2012 Reining National Champion. The class, held at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic, had some of the top names in the sport with two of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Team Gold medalists competing. In the end, one of those riders would take...

The eleventh in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder If I go to a restaurant and order lemonade, I do not expect to receive a glass of ice water with a lemon wedge on the rim of the glass. When I am thinking about what western dressage is to me, I envision a discipline as fully flavored as that glass of lemonade. In fact, my vision for the future of western dressage as an independent and unique equestrian discipline may be more like strawberry lemonade! As a dressage instructor and...

Breda, The Netherlands - With the cones phase complete the FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles has come to a close at the Outdoor Brabant. There was little movement in the standings for the U.S. team or individuals, but it was a good experience for America's top para-equestrian drivers. Once again leading the U.S. squad was Diane Kastama (Arroyo Grande, CA). She picked up 12 penalty points and 0 time faults to finish with 12 on cones and a total score of 171.55....

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation Board of Directors assembled in Lexington, Kentucky on August 27th for the 2012 USEF Mid -Year Meeting. The election of a new President, to take office in January 2013, topped the agenda. Olympic Gold Medalist David O'Connor has served as the USEF President since 2004. The President ultimately presides over the volunteer leadership structure of the Federation. Only 12 individuals have served in the presidential role and the process for...

Bridgehampton, NY - Even though the Grand Prix Ring at the 37th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show is hosting five Olympic gold medalists and many other international stars this week, Friday morning’s jumper classes belonged to two teenagers whose eyes are set on similar accomplishments. Luis Larrazabal, 19, won the $15,000 Speed Derby, presented by Sotheby’s, and Victoria Colvin, 14, won the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake. Riding G&C Lepanto, Larrazabal, a native of...

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo win 2010 American Gold Cup. (Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com) North Salem, NY - When the American Gold Cup makes it much anticipated return this year at Old Salem Farm in North Salem NY, it will be a star-studded lineup of world-class show jumpers that will compete for the 2012 title. The show, now just a couple of weeks away, is scheduled for September 12th through the 16th, 2012, with the famed $200,000 American Gold Cup as the highlight event on the final...