SAUGERTIES, NY – Peter Leone put the antics of nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, My Pleasure, to good use on Friday when he jumped to win the first of 16 grand prix offered during the 2014 HITS Saugerties Spring Circuit – the $25,000 SmartPakGrand Prix, presented by Zoetis. ©ESI Photography Asia Manning of HITS presented winner’s honors, including a Horze Equestrian cooler, to Peter Leone and My Pleasure after their win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis....

Devon, PA - The 2014 Devon Horse Show & Country Fair hosted its second day of competition on Friday with the conclusion of junior equitation classes and the first day of pony hunter divisions. Showcasing the best horses and riders in the country, the Devon Horse Show hosts 11 days of top-tier competition across multiple breeds and disciplines in Devon, PA, through Sunday, June 1. Caitlin Boyle and Clearway in their winning presentation. Photo © The Book LLC. On Friday, the junior exhibitors...

Saumur, France - The rain that has plagued much of the week at the Saumur CCI3* continued on Friday but the two U.S. entries were undeterred as they slotted into the top 10 at the completion of the first phase. Land Rover Competition Grant recipient, Doug Payne, leads the American effort standing fourth heading into the cross country, with Elisabeth Halliday-sharp lying eighth after the dressage. Doug Payne and Crown Talisman (Eric Knoll) Payne (Apex, N.C.) and his own and Larry and Amelia...

Armed Forces Day attendees (Photo by Alexandra Kinney) Wylie, Texas - On May 17, 2014, the first Wounded Warrior Introductional Seminar at North Texas Equestrian Center in Wylie, TX, occurred. It was Armed Forces Day, a chance to honor all those who serve or have served. This seminar was an opportunity to reach out to veterans to educate them about a Paralympic sport whose roots are deeply connected to the military. In attendance at the event were veterans and their family members, USO...

Orchard Hills Dragonflyy in his winning "Best Young Pony" presentation (The Book LLC) Devon, P.A. - While junior competitors showed their equitation in Devon's famous Dixon Oval, the young hunter ponies competed in-hand in the Gold Ring on Thursday. The ponies showed in their respective age groups divided by gender, and the top ponies of all ages were then judged together for championship honors. The Best Young Pony was ultimately crowned overall. The Hunter Pony Championship for Fillies...

Spencer Smith and Beau van het Keyershof. Photo (The Book LLC) Devon, P.A. - While the young ponies were showing off in the Gold Ring, the junior exhibitors competed in their equitation classes in the Dixon Oval. The WIHS Equitation Classic Jumper Phase was held in a California Split and awarded four sets of prizes. Top honors went to Megan MacPherson of Boulder, CO, in Section A. Kelli Cruciotti of Elizabeth, CO, won Section B. Spencer Smith of Wellington, FL, topped Section C, and Michael...

George Morris works Jacob Pope's mount through the cavaletti exercise Gladstone, N.J. - Day two of the 2014 George H. Morris Gladstone Program got underway at the USET Foundation's Headquarters at Hamilton Farms early Wednesday morning. Riders were expected to put their newly learned knowledge to the test, continuing their work on the flat in order to better prepare their mounts for the gymnastics session in the afternoon where they would face cavaletti, gymnastic work, and a liverpool....

Saumur, France - The Saumur CCI3* is set to host some of the top international eventing combinations, May 22-25, in France’s picturesque countryside. Doug Payne has traveled from his North Carolina base to the prestigious competition on a Land Rover Competition Grant, and looks to impress with the ever-improving Crown Talisman. Doug Payne and Crown Talisman (USEF Archive) Payne (Apex, N.C.) and his own and Larry and Amelia Ross’ 11-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred gelding make their...

Lexington, Ky. – A little over two months before the Opening Ceremonies take place at the 2014 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North, planning is well underway. Entry in Principle has closed with a record number of teams scheduled to compete in the five disciplines of dressage, endurance, eventing, jumping, and reining, totaling nine The NAJYRC will host nine championships for Juniors and Younger Riders in 2014 (Sportfot) championships...

South Carolina Equestrian Head Coach Boo Major Columbia, S.C. - University of South Carolina head coach Boo Major has been named 2014 National Coach of the Year, it was announced on Tuesday by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association. "This is a big honor for Boo and we felt she was very deserving of this award," said Meghan Cunningham Corvin, president of the NCEA and head coach at UT-Martin. "She's one of the longest serving coaches in the country and has been a leader in our sport....