So I have been in London for about five hours or so and it is everything I was expecting and more. To rewind a bit I spent last Wednesday-Sunday at the 2012 USEF National Dressage Championships at the picturesque Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. After spending the better part of the last week watching the best up-and-coming Young and Developing Horses in the U.S. as well as juniors demonstrate fabulous equitation skill the future of the sport certainly seems very bright. A big hand and...

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo (Joanie Morris) Greenwich, UK - Following the completion of the first half of the Dressage competition, the Jumping horses got their first glimpse of the main arena as 90 horses from 26 countries were presented before the Ground Jury at the jog. The U.S. Team looked sharp under the care of veterinarian Dr. Tim Ober, farrier Dr. Todd Meister, physio Janus Marquis, and their grooms (listed below). George Morris is serving as Chef d'Equipe, he will retire...

Morton, IL – The American Shetland Pony Club, Inc., crowned its 2012 all-registry Queen at its recent national convention. Miss Alyssa Palas of Ames, Iowa, will represent the ASPC as well as the American Miniature Horse Registry, the American Show Pony Registry and the National Show Pony Registry throughout the next year. Alyssa Palas is the 18-year-old daughter of Greg and Barb Palas. She has been involved with the ASPC/AMHR and its small equine breeds since 2001. Ms. Palas actively...

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The U.S. Show Jumping Team will be looking to make it a Team Gold medal sweep at the 2011 Pan American Games after both the Dressage and Eventing topped the medal podium earlier in the competition. They got off to a great start Monday, presenting five fit and sound horses at the jog. Under the guidance of Chef d'Equipe George Morris and under the care of veterinarian Dr. Tim Ober, farrier Todd Meister and physiotherapist Janus Marquis, all five horses were...

Mario Deslauriers on Cella, owned by Jane Clark in 30,000 Pennsylvania National “Big Jump” Open Jumper class (Al Cook Photo) Harrisburg, PA – Mario Deslauriers rode Cella, owned by Jane Clark of New York, NY to victory in the $30,000 Pennsylvania National “Big Jump” Open Jumper class, sponsored by M & T Bank, at the 66th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Thursday evening. “Jane has been so great to give me all these nice horses,” said Deslauriers also...

Meg O'Mara and Sinatra IV. Photo: Phelps Media Group. Harrisburg, PA – An action-packed junior weekend continued to wow the crowd at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show tonight, as Phase III of the Randolph College/USEF Individual Championships culminated in a triumph for junior jumper Meg O’Mara. Riding out of Romson, NJ, O’Mara and Sinatra IV had one of only two clear rounds of the evening, emerging victorious through a steady, controlled approach. Earning the silver medal...

Katie Dinan and Belle Dame D. Photo: Phelps Media Group. Harrisburg, PA - It was an exciting night of jumper action at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show tonight, as the $15,000 USEF Prix de States Team Championship and Individual Championship Phase II took place in Harrisburg, PA. The team from USEF Zone 2 swept the top spot for the second year in a row with excellent rides by Meg O'Mara of Rumson, NJ, Katie Dinan of New York, NY, Charlotte Jacobs of Buffalo, NY, and last night's...

Morton, IL – More than 1,500 of the best and brightest small equine competitors from across the U.S. and Canada competed at the 2011 American Miniature Horse Registry National Championship show. This prestigious event was held at Expo Square in Tulsa, OK, September 8 –18. Miniature Horses competed for cash and prizes in classes such as halter, driving, jumping, costume, obstacle and more. There were special offerings for youth and amateur exhibitors in addition to breeders’...

Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has recommended the following athlete/horse combinations to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to represent the United States on the U.S. Show Jumping Team at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. The USOC will make the following entry of athlete/horse combinations today (they are named in ranked order): Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) will ride Coral Reef Ranch's Coral Reef Via Volo McLain Ward (Brewster,...

Melanie Smith Taylor conducted the USHJA Emerging Athletes Level 2 Training Session and Horsemanship Clinic at Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (Photo: Mike Maple). Buffalo, NY - The Labor Day weekend at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center was full of activity as riders gathered on September 1, 2011, for a two-day session horsemanship clinic. Melanie Smith Taylor and Mindy Bower conducted the clinic, welcoming riders from beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. The clinic was held in...