Tyler Petrie and Quite Ruffy (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Buffalo, N.Y. - As the weekend of showing began to roll, comfortable weather with mostly sunny skies moved over the Buffalo Equestrian Center Saturday. Throughout the beginning of the day, young riders and ponies took center stage as competitors diligently prepared for the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation USHJA Hunter Derby and the Jumper Classics that were held later in the evening. First up was the Syracuse PHA Medal,...

Kevin McCarthy claiming top honors with Jeffrey Welles (left) and Darren Granziano (Alex Lynch) Halifax, Mass. - Friday was speed day at The Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, but although many were speedy, few were clean in our main event. With an exciting Welcome Stake ending the day yesterday, today's featured class was the 1.30m Cross Insurance Speed Derby. Olaf Peterson Jr.'s unique Speed Derby course design made for an exciting afternoon at Silver Oak. In a field of 29 horse and rider...

Owens & Messick (Shawn McMillen Photography) Lexington, Ky. - Amateur rider Kyle Owens picked a good day to break into the 90s for the first time in his riding career. And, his excellent timing and performance aboard Messick paid impressive dividends, as he tied professional John Barker with Carlotta for the blue ribbon in the Second Round of the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship, August 12-14 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. "This was so exciting. I'd never even gotten a...

U.S. Olympic gold and silver medalist Leslie Howard guided Tic Tac to victory in the $100,000 CSI2* Synoil Energy Services Cup on August 9 at the CSI2* Summer Festival at the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON. (Ben Radvanyi Photography) Palgrave, Ontario – U.S. Olympic gold and silver medalist Leslie Howard topped an international starting field to win the $100,000 CSI2* Synoil Energy Services Cup at the CSI2* Summer Festival held August 6 to 10 at the Caledon Pan Am...

Shannon Dahmer and Lakota Lace (Phelps Media Group) Parker, Colo. - A horse of a different color has been attracting notice at Dressage in the Rockies for more than just his spots. Lakota Lace, an 11-year-old Appaloosa/Percheron/Quarter Horse gelding, picked up back-to-back wins in the Intermediaire I at the Colorado Horse Park. In his first time out at that level, Lakota Lace scored 68.816 percent on Friday, winning the FEI High Percentage Championship, and 67.895 percent on Saturday. Trainer...

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....

Claire Azar and Guarantee (Emily Riden/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Claire Azar earned the highest score in the first round of today's NAL/WIHS Children's Hunter Classic at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, and when she cleared the final fence of the second round she guaranteed her victory with the aptly named Guarantee. The NAL/WIHS Children's Hunter Classic is a highlight event for riders, running as two rounds; the final over fences class of the Children's Hunter...

Pablo Barrios and Ambosell Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Venezuela's Pablo Barrios has been making the trip to the Kentucky Horse Park each spring for many years, and 2014 is no exception for the talented rider who continued to dominate the leader board. Barrios kicked off the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows with wins in the 1.40m Open Jumpers, as well as the 1.45m Open Jumpers with Ambosell and Lascana, respectively. Ambosell is very familiar with the Rolex Stadium,...

Capitano and Trapp O'Neal on their way to victory (Shawn McMillen Photography) Katy, Texas. - Saturday night's festivities at the 69th PIn Oak Charity Horse Show featured the $30,000 Hildebrand Fund Grand Prix and Gala. With hospitality the hallmark of the show, it was a enjoyable night for riders and spectators alike. And especially so for Texas professional Trapp O'Neal. The grand prix attracted a field of 18 competitors, who performed before a packed and appreciative audience at the...

Ainsley Vince and Frieda (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - The sun rose over Deeridge Farms as trailers and cars rolled through the opened gateway and down the winding path lined with beautifully manicured banyan and royal palm trees. The fog lifted from the grand prix field to reveal the course that would challenge over 50 horses for the $24,950 Wellington Turf Tour Invitational Grand Prix Finale. Saturday, it was Ainsley Vince of Canada who dominated the field, riding to the top of the leader...