It’s not Fair Hill if there’s no rain . Well, we are defiantly at Fair Hill. It could have been far worse but rain is still rain. The morning was grey but just threatened rained. Most of us lucked out as they majority of spectators, riders and connections were tucked under tents out of the elements when the rain started at the lunch break. However, there were a few competitors using the down time in the main ring to school in the warm-up. Needless to say they got wet! I was planning...

T-7 days! It is exactly one week from when we will be loading up the trailer and heading to Kentucky. This past week has been a blur, and I'm sure this upcoming week will be one as well. Florence and I have proceeded to get more of our jog outfits figured out....although they're not quite completed yet. Special thanks to Sheryl Rudolph and FITS for some fantastic shirts, and to my mom who has been running around trying to find things to wear and texting me pictures to see if things...

Final Preparations My horse Verdicci and I have less than one week left to prepare for the 2011 FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships! I can’t wait to represent Region 5 on the Young Rider Dressage team! I have dreamed of being a Young Rider ever since I was twelve years old, so four years later it is great to finally be stepping up to the “big leagues” after competing in the Junior division for the past three years. It is especially great since I thought I...

Georgina Bloomberg. Brewster, NY - Equestrian apparel company Ariat recently donated over 600 pairs of new riding breeches to The Rider's Closet at Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, Georgina Bloomberg's charitable program for riders in need. The Rider's Closet accepts new or gently used equestrian apparel and sends them to pony clubs, therapeutic riding centers, scholastic teams and individual riders who request show or lesson program clothing and boots. "I have had the pleasure of...

Allison Springer and Arthur. (Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.) Tallahassee, FL - It's only fitting that the winner of the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series would be decided on the final moments of the competition on Sunday afternoon, drawing out the nail-biting excitement to the very last jump. Overnight leader Allison Springer must have breathed a huge sigh of relief to cross the finish line with all the rails still neatly in their cups, solidifying her victory at the prestigious...

Today’s course must have been tricky. The time was tight. It started out at 82 seconds allowed, and Lauren was the first in the ring of today’s 119 riders—a TOUGH spot to be in. After Lauren’s round they upped the time allowed to 84 seconds, which was still quite tight for many riders. Rails were falling all over the course and many feet/hooves landed in the water. It was obviously tough and technical. So many of yesterday’s stars didn’t do so hot today. It...

Tucker Johnson and Karen O'Connor Leading the U.S. Team. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF. ) Lexington, KY - Simply put, it was a night to remember. After years of planning, the efforts of thousands and the hard work of the world's best equestrian athletes, the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games officially got underway with a star-studded Opening Ceremonies that saw the equestrian world gather together accompanied by the pomp and circumstance of great music and elegant pageantry. The...

Photo by Sport Fot/Thierry Billet (Louis Jacobs on Kachina in the 1.45m.) The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) had a successful third week of competition on January 27-31. The week featured the $75,000 Nespresso Grand Prix, CSI** and the $55,000 Nespresso Battle of the Sexes, along with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. The week three title sponsor was Nespresso. In order to provide the best coffee to riders at the FTI WEF, Nespresso is the official coffee at...

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) continued a strong circuit this year in the second week of competition held January 20-24. The week featured the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, CSI** along with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. The week two title sponsor was Purina Mills, and through Land O'Lakes Purina Feed, they are the exclusive horse feed sponsor of the 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Land O'Lakes Purina Feed, LLC (www.landolakesinc.com), is a...

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...