The Gold Medal luncheon was held on February 5 in honor of the 2004 United States Olympic Gold Medal Team. Hosted by Harold and Kathy Kamine, the event brought together many of the incredible people that made Athens happen and those who continue to support equine sports. The Kamines arranged the party to unite the countless participants that were needed to make it to the Olympics. “Not all of us could be in Athens, so I thought, ‘What a great opportunity to have everyone together to watch the...

Ramiro Quintana won the testing Speed Challenge at the American Gold Cup last year, and he will return with the same mare, Carousel, to defend his title at this year’s event, September 15-18, at the Devon show grounds in Devon, PA. The Speed Challenge is a very exciting class, which pits professionals against juniors and amateurs, and Quintana, who also won this event four years ago, placed first and third in last year’s event. The five top professionals from their qualifying class on Fast...

From the FEI: At the end of a thrilling Jumping phase, Australia’s Clayton Fredericks came out as the worthy winner of the 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup Final. Performing a magnificent clear round, he retained his overnight score of 42 penalties. The 2nd place goes to yet another Australian, Andrew Hoy, who had one rail down and one time penalty to finish on 44.3. Piia Pantsu follows in 3rd position only 0.1 points behind Hoy (44.4). A total of SEK 630,000 (EUR 68,000) was distributed in prize...

Bob Langrish (Laura Kraut and Anthem at Hickstead.) Kraut wins Queen Elizabeth Cup, Welles wins King George V Cup, U.S. Team second in Nations Cup, Madden wins Longines Prize for Elegance (Lexington, KY) – Despite what U.S. Chef d’Equipe George Morris calls a “bittersweet show,” the United States’ show jumping riders staged a spectacular performance in Hickstead this past weekend, demonstrating that they remain a solid world power with which to be reckoned. They...

St. Gallen in Switzerland plays host to the third leg of the 2005 Samsung Super League series on Friday, June 3, and the Swiss team will be keen to keep the home supporters happy with a good result there. Lying fifth on the leaderboard after the first two legs of the series in La Baule and Rome, they have coped well so far in this, their first Super League season, and Chef d'Equipe Rolf Grass will choose his side from Fabio Crotta, Markus Fuchs, Christina Liebherr, Beat Mandli and Niklaus...

The Jersey Fresh Three-Day Event ended as it began for Australian Olympic Gold medalist Phillip Dutton, at the top of the scoreboard. Dutton, who lives in West Grove, PA, but rides for his native Australia, maintained his lead in the show jumping phase of the three-star event, which kept Buck Davidson, of Ringoes, NJ, in second place. Dutton was delighted with the performance of his mount Amazing Odyssey, a horse he described as “one of the best jumping horses I’ve ever ridden.” The panel of...

USEF President and Pegasus Awards Dinner emcee David O'Connor presents the Equestrian of the Year Trophy to the 2004 winner Kim Severson. (Dr. Mike Tomlinson) Friday proved to be a day of widespread celebration at the 2005 USEF Annual Meeting as two special events brought audiences to their feet with thunderous applause and accolades for the national, international and Olympic-level athletes that were saluted for their competitive efforts and hard work in 2004. In addition, those honored during...

Kansas City, MO —Kelsey Nicole Smith, 17, of Delafield, Wisconsin, was crowned champion of the 2004 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Medal Finals, held November 20, as part of the UPHA/American Royal National Championship Horse Show in Kansas City, Missouri. Riding Chimere (Chestnut American Saddlebred mare, Periaptor—RHR Fury’s Wild Flame), Smith topped the class of 31 entries in the two-phase competition that required both rail work and patterns in both...

San Juan Capistrano, CA – Veteran Olympic Judge Axel Steiner was doing color commentary at the trials today and described Robert Dover’s ride on FBW Kennedy as “one of the nicest Grand Prix rides in the United States.” The enthusiastic applause of the knowledgeable crowd indicated they agreed. Their score of 76.292% leads Gunter Seidel on Aragon, who had a score of 72.375%. Seidel was also third on Nikolaus 7 with a score of 71.458%. Steffan Peters on Floriano was fourth with 71.333%. “You...

McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Lauren Hough, Nicole Simpson Lurking Close Behind Ward San Juan Capistrano , CA - It was a perfect day in Southern California . Perfectly blue sky, perfect temperature, perfect setting for an Olympic Trials, and perfect green turf in an impressive Show Jumping arena at Oaks Blenheim in San Juan Capistrano . For PeterWylde and Fein Cera; Todd Minikus and Gardenio; and Beezie Madden and Judgement; it got even better when they turned in prefect trips in the fourth round...