Rich Fellers & Flexible, winners of the Sun Life Financial “Reach for the Sun”. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB -The stars and stripes had a lot to celebrate at Spruce Meadows on the 4th of July during the first day of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ Tournament. The American’s started out on their roll with 17 year old Reed Kessler (USA) aboard Onisha, a 13 year old Warmblood mare. Kessler faced off against 76 horse/rider combinations over the 500...

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, AB - The sun shone on Saturday at the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘Canada One’ Tournament. This was particularly true for American veterans McLain Ward and Mario Deslauriers. Fifty nine horse/rider combinations saddled up for the 1.45 meter Direct Energy Cup this morning, competing for top spot over the 500 meter long course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). Over 16 jumping efforts, the field was narrowed down to the 13 combinations who moved into the jump...

Calgary, AB - The sun was shining on the Spruce Meadows International ring for day two of the 2012 National Tournament. With $32,000 on the line in the 1.45 meter ATCO Pipelines Cup, 67 horse/rider combinations took to the field. 11 riders made it through to the jump off on the 500 meter Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed course with 15 jumping efforts. After a fast paced jump off, Richard Spooner (USA) rode into the winners circle aboard the 11 year old Dutch Warmblood mare Billy Bianca. Although...

North Salem, NY - The inaugural Equitation Challenge took place amid much anticipation and fanfare at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. Fifteen year old Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, and Chansonette Farm’s Monterrey were the shining stars and galloped away with the top prize. Style maven Martha Stewart looked on as the youngsters showed off their grace and ability. The Grand Prix field would take its toll on some exhibitors, with quite a few refusals on course, but those who navigated...

Lexington, KY - The dressage world descends upon the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL for the 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach. Fifteen riders from six countries have accepted invitations to compete at the prestigious event which runs January 26-28 at the CDI5* level. The U.S. effort is led by last year's defending champion Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA) who returns to the venue in which he swept to victory last year...

Leslie Howard and Lennox Lewis 2. ManciniPhotos. Wellington, FL - Leslie Howard and her longtime mount Lennox Lewis 2 took home the first big win of the week at Equestrian Sport Production's (ESP) 2011 Holiday and Horses competition. The show kicked off on Wednesday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, highlighting the exciting $10,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty Open Stake class in the International Arena. Wellington Equestrian Realty has been a great...

James Alliston of Great Britain and Jumbo’s Jake put on a masterful display of cross-country riding to move in to the lead in the CCI3* at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event, with a score of 45.4. Alliston, who lives in Castro Valley, Calif., finished faultlessly aboard India McEvoy’s 13-year-old Irish Sporthorse, taking over the top spot after dressage leaders Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM suffered a refusal at fence 23, the PRO Water Complex, and second-placed...

Lexington, KY - The jumper action continued this evening at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, and speed wa s the name of the game as riders competed in the $60,000 Spy Coast Farm Open Jumper Speed Stake. The speedy veteran pair of Kent Farrington and Up Chiqui dominated the class with blazing time, beating second place finishers Nicholas Dello Joio and Notre Star De La Nutria by almost four seconds. Great Britain's Scott Brash and Bon Ami rounded out the top three with a quick...

Saugerties, NY - Hunter riders at HITS-on-the-Hudson can now breathe easy with the first two rounds of the first ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final complete. The buzz, however, will pick back up tomorrow for the final two rounds when the first ever winner of the historic class will be crowned. “We saw a great group of riders today,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “And the best obviously rose to the top." Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas, California stole...

Lexington, KY - Every horse show exhibitor has a competition they most look forward to each year. For some exhibitors, the anticipation is due to outstanding facilities, while for others it’s management going far beyond the call of duty to make the show a memorable and fun experience for all involved. Still others say it’s the excellent competition that draws them to a particular show. Whatever the case may be, there is no doubt about it - there are some shows that rise above the...