Hayley Barnhill and Safari. (Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG. ) Katy, TX - The air was electric for the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by the Carole and Jim Looke Family Fund, held at the Spring Gathering Charity Horse Show. Thirty-seven horse and rider combinations turned out to compete for the grand prize and winning title. After the top 12 showed over the handy course the victory went to Hayley Barnhill and Safari. The pair led from start to finish with incredible scores of...

Scott Stewart and Empire. (Photo by Sportfot.) Wellington, FL - It was an important day for hunters at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Sixty entries took their shot at a chance to compete in the $50,000 USHJA Hunter Derby, one of the biggest purses in the world offered for hunter competitors. The class began this afternoon in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. With a large number of spectators standing by, each horse and rider combination took their turn over a course of eleven jumps,...

Wellington, FL - The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) had a very full and exciting week of competition during week 11. The FTI WEF hosts the best that the sports of show jumping, hunters, and equitation have to offer in 12 rings of competition. Laura Kraut and Cedric Capture $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center experienced one of its biggest crowds ever on Saturday night as more than 7,000 spectators filled the stands to watch...

Laura Kraut and Cedric (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center experienced one of its biggest crowds ever on Saturday night as more than 7,000 spectators filled the stands to watch Laura Kraut (USA) and Cedric race to victory in the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* during week eleven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Kraut and Cedric won two grand prix classes in a row earlier in the circuit with victories in the $78,000...

Ocala, FL - On the second day of dressage at the CAI-A Live Oak, Boots Wright of Ocala, FL, was awarded the best dressage score in the Intermediate division. Wright drove Mista Q and Marko, German riding ponies, gaining a decisive 17-point lead over second-place Sherri Dolan with her Shetland ponies, Smoke and Mirrors. Sybil Humphreys, driving her Section C Welsh pony, Cefnanokpark Bouncer, will go into Saturday’s marathon leading the 12-competitor Intermediate Single Pony class. Her score of...

Kent Farrington and Top Gun. (ESI Photography© . ) Ocala, FL - The 30th Anniversary of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit could go down as the most memorable one ever. The eight-week Circuit was blessed with beautiful weather, stellar competition and record-breaking entries in both the Grand Prix and Devoucoux Hunter Prix, proving that qualifying for this year’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final has captured the hearts and minds of equestrians from...

Michael Hughes and Norton. (ESI Photography©.) Ocala, FL -This past Saturday, highly-acclaimed Junior rider Michael Hughes of Morriston, Florida captured the win in the R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship aboard Norton, owned by Drumnacross Farm, LTD. Hughes sealed the victory after a two-round score of 354. “It was a good class,” said Hughes, who has built a remarkable career in the Junior and Equitation divisions at 15 years old. “I thought the courses in both rounds were difficult, and it...

Lexington, KY – Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone, is excited to welcome Ariat as the title sponsor and Official Apparel and Footwear of the Kentucky Reining Cup, which will debut alongside this year’s Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, April 28-May 1, 2011, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Joining Ariat as sponsors of the inaugural event are the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), SmartPak and Markel...

Lucy Davis and Nemo. (Flying Horse Photography.) Thermal, CA - The 20th Anniversary of the HITS Desert Circuit was a success from start to finish, with beautiful weather, great competition and record entries for the first time since 2007. The fifth season at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA, was a world-class show jumping experience for trainers, owners, riders and spectators, alike. All four of the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix took place before sold-out VIP and general...

Nick Skelton and Big Star. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Week 10 of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) concluded with two great events at The Stadium, the grass field venue at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Nick Skelton (GBR) and Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, notched another big win this circuit by taking the top prize in the $78,000 Pennfield Feeds Grand Prix, CSI 2*. The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival's feature event, the $500,000 FTI...