Lexington, Ky. - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named eight athlete-and-horse combinations to the 2015 Dressage Pan American Games European CDI Observation Event Squad. The squad is composed of four Big Tour and four Small Tour combinations, which will compete in designated European CDI Observation Events. Additionally, Laura Graves and her own 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Verdades, have been approved to be considered for the Pan American Games Dressage Team without...

The Fresno State equestrian team defeated Southern Methodist University on Saturday, 12-4, becoming the United Equestrian Conference champions. The No. 1-seeded Fresno State Bulldogs defeated the No. 2-seeded Mustangs, 12-4. In the hunt seat category, the teams tied, 4-4. "They were a really extremely tough competition," assistant coach Kimberly HewsonBudnik said. "They came out here, and we had to put in our best rides in order to beat them.." SMU had the upper hand in equitation over fences,...

Thermal, Calif. - Jamie Azcarraga, of Mexico City, Mexico, and his Anton Radio Formula, claimed Sunday's AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by MortgageCall, which is the first jewel of the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping. Azcarraga was one of only three riders out of a total field of 44 in the first round and only five in the jump-off who rode double-clear at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward, who went first in the fast-paced jump-off on...

Daniel Bluman and Chandon Blue (Shannon Bower/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, Fla. - As part of the 12-week Wellington Turf Tour series, The Ridge at Wellington traveled to the Wanderers Club, an exclusive country club in the heart of Wellington, to wrap up its fifth week of competition. The change of venue was set atop a pristine polo field, surrounded by an array of palm trees and settled beneath a blue sky. The venue change for many riders was not only breathtaking, but also the setting of a...

Kelley Farmer and Mindset (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, Fla. - An underdog rose to the top of the ranks Friday at The Ridge at Wellington's second annual Hunter Derby Days. Mindset is the rising superstar of Rose Hill Farm, bought for Lilli Hymowitz to show in the Small Junior Hunter division, but professional hunter rider Kelley Farmer captured the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby victory with consistent rounds and finesse on the turf derby field. Farmer and...

Conor Swail and Ariana (Shannon Bower/PhelpsSports.com) Wellington, Fla. - The competition was fierce Friday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) as The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour completed its fourth week of competition. Connor Swail and Ariana were the trailblazers, leading the class from start to finish with their phenomenal double clear effort completed 31.860 seconds. Alexander Zetterman and Avon finished in second place with a time of 34.072 seconds, while Andrew Bourns and...

Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park (SportFot) Wellington, Fla. - Canada's Eric Lamaze and Rosana du Park are now two for two in this year's Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Series at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). After winning the $25,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 1 in the first week of competition, the pair stepped up to win Thursday's $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 2 in week two at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC)...

Stunning new international destinations join the Longines Global Champions Tour in 2015 marking the 10th anniversary of the world’s premier show jumping series. The championship circuit makes a strategic expansion to the American continent with the first event of season being launched in Miami Beach in April. For the first time ever, Olympic-level equestrian sport will take place on the golden sands of Miami Beach as one of the most vibrant cities in the world celebrates its Centennial....

Lexington, Ky. - Stephanie Danhakl and Golden Rule have racked up quite the list of accomplishments in just the past eight months, and on Friday afternoon at the National Horse Show they added another major one to their resume. Stephanie Danhakl and Golden Rule (Emily Riden/Phelps Media Group) Danhakl, 27, and Golden Rule, won three of the four classes in the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters to clinch the division championship, sponsored by Bruce Duchossois and H 'n D Stables, and, ultimately,...

Lexington, Ky. - Young riders shined Wednesday night at the National Horse Show as 29 horse and rider combinations put their best foot forward over the first of three $10,000 Under 25 Championship classes. Sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch and Deeridge Farm, the class allows the rare opportunity for riders ages 16 to 25 to compete in the high pressure World Cup format. Riders from across the nation have worked to qualify for the championship, which culminates at the prestigious National Horse Show....