Ireland won the opening leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup™ series in a nail-biting thriller at La Baule in France today. On an afternoon when the form-book was turned on its head, Robert Splaine's side of Shane Sweetnam (Amaretto Darco), Billy Twomey (Romanov), Cian O'Connor (Larkhill Cruiser) and Cameron Hanley (VDL Southwind) produced superb jumping to finish with a two-fault advantage over the runners-up from Belgium, while the mighty German side had to settle for third spot in...

The HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011, an exciting series linking five of the world’s top level events, begins in style today (Thursday 21 April - Monday 25 April) at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR). The first crucial qualifier for the 2012 London Olympic Games has attracted arguably the strongest international field for many years with representatives from 11 nations and seven former winners entered. Three Americans are vying for the 2011 title, teammates from the Land...

Olympian John Pearce has been a familiar face during the Colorado Summer Circuit. (Horse and Ryder) Parker, CO — A thrilling summer at The Colorado Horse Park will be highlighted with nearly $1 million in cash and prizes up for grabs during the inaugural edition of the expanded Colorado Summer Circuit, June 8-July 24, 2011. For 20 years this circuit has attracted some of the continent’s best hunter and jumper competitors, and this year it expands to six weeks. Riders will find more than just...

Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), LLC, announced the 2009 year-end awards. The year-end awards banquet took place at the International Club at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Saturday, December 6, 2009. 2009 ESP Final Points For Year-End Awards (Rider Name-Final Points) 11 and Under Equitation 1. Camila Conesa 169.5 2. Hannah Patten 157.5 3. Brett Burlington 46 4. Hayley Iannotti 33 5. Maxwell Beaumont 22.5 6. Jonathan Jimenez 22 12-14 Equitation 1. Gillian...

Gladstone, NJ – The first leg of the 2009 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship, which was rescheduled to Friday morning after Thursday’s deluge, showcased some of the top horse/rider combinations in the US. But it wasn’t until the final ride of the class that anyone could break 70%. Veteran Olympic rider Leslie Morse and her classy 15-year-old stallion, Tip Top 962, put in a very focused and expressive effort to take a commanding lead with a...

Lexington, KY - Five USEF National Champions will be crowned after two weekends of dressage competition in San Juan Capistrano, CA June 21-22 and June 27-29. Always an exciting competition Kassandra Barteau and Gabriella (PhelpsPhotos.com) amongst the nation’s best dressage riders, this year the National Grand Prix Dressage Championship is also the USEF Selection Trials for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in Dressage. The best horses and riders in each division are coming from across the...

By Bob Langrish (Beezie Madden and Authentic in the Main Stadium in Aachen, Germany.) (Aachen, Germany)— The 16 efforts put in front of the 116 show jumpers going round during the 1st qualifier and speed class for the individual and team FEI World Championships in Aachen were a bit more than a few could handle. And for Team USA, there were few bumps along the road translating into less than a handful of downed rails in a windy Main Stadium. Over the day, six horses were eliminated, and...

Wayne, Ill. – The final day of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions closed out a successful week of competition. With restrictions on spectators on the grounds and mandates in effect for mask-wearing and social distancing, the scene at HITS Chicago at Lamplight Equestrian Center looked a bit different from prior years. However, trainers and riders were glad to have the opportunity to get their horses in the competition arena, and the quality of horses and riding throughout the week...

Correction: The original version of this release noted Mackenzie Peer's horse, Quantum MRF, as a stallion. He is a gelding. Wayne – Ill. – Three national champions were unveiled at the U.S. Dressage Festival Champions on Friday. Lucienne Bacon and Bonnaroo won the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship; Kayla Kadlubek and Perfect Step earned the USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship, and Kasey Denny and Feyock earned the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals 13 &...

Wayne, Ill. – The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions began Wednesday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Combinations from three divisions headed down centerline in the Kay Arena for the first test of their respective divisions. Early leaders in the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship, USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship, and USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship began their quest for a title, while five other divisions...