McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets fly to a win (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - When McLain Ward climbed down from the tack of Dulien Van De Smeets after winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis, he didn’t look for congratulations, but marched straight to the mare’s owner, his godmother. Susie Heller stood clutching a winner’s trophy and was scooped up by Ward’s embrace. Every win is special, but this was divinely special. This week marked the...

Ashton Alexander & Cafe de Colombia (Captured Moments Photography) Lexington, Ky. – The best junior riders attended the 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championship West Coast July 21-22 in hopes of being crowned the Overall Grand Champion. Over two days of tough competition at the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, Calif., riders competed in three phases: Classic Round, Under Saddle, and Handy Hunter. The Under Saddle phase counts for 20% of the rider's overall score, while both the...

Lisa Goldman & Morocco (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, Mich. - Lisa Goldman is now two-for-two in the featured jumper classes so far during Horse Shows by the Bay Series IV, July 23-27. After taking the blue ribbon yesterday with Centurion B in the $2,500 1.40m Open Jumper Speed class, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone, she returned today with Morocco for the top check in the $10,000 Positive Step Farm Welcome Prix. With 11 of the 23 competitors jumping first-round...

The Plains, Va. - Great Meadow is set to host elite eventing combinations July 26th and 27th as the Squad for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and alternates take part in their official Preparation Event. The U.S. combinations will be joined Canadian horses and riders as they too will use the weekend to fine tune performances in the lead up to Normandy. Dressage will take place Saturday morning, with all combinations coming back in the evening to...

Todd Minikus and Arino Du Rouet jump to their second HITS Saugerties win this year in the $50,000 Horze Equestrian Grand Prix presented by Zoeti (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y . - Todd Minikus knows when the likes of McLain Ward, Ronan McGuigan and Laura Chapot follow him in a jump-off, winning will be no easy feat. He proved twice-over, however, that while a fight against some of the greats is a challenge, he is up to the task. Minikus bested a star-studded order on Sunday to collect first...

Lexington, Ky. - The 2014 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) came to a close Sunday with the last medals of the Championship being awarded. Area III won Team Gold while David Ziegler made history as he took top Individual honors in the CCI2* portion of the USEA North American Junior and Young Riders' Eventing Championship. In the CCI1*, Area II and their own Alexis Nelson claimed Team and Individual Gold medals. Area III,...

Lexington, Ky . – The 2014 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) came to a close Sunday with the last medals of the Championship being awarded. In the USHJA North American Junior and Young Riders' Show Jumping Championship, brothers Wilton and Lucas Porter made history at the NAJYRC’s 40th anniversary by being the first brothers to win Young Rider and Junior Individual Gold, respectively, at the Championship. Four...

Josephina Nor Lantzman and Chello Z (Captured Moments Photography) Del Mar, Calif. - The competition was fierce in Friday's $25,000 1.40m Markel Insurance Grand Prix at the Showpark Summer Festival. Thirty-nine entries competed for the top prize, with horses and riders ranging from seasoned competitors to greener mounts looking for experience. As the course required universal appeal while retaining grand prix technicality, veteran course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela built a track...

Lexington, Ky . - The U.S. has drawn seventh in the order for Thursday’s Mercedes-Benz FEI Nations Cup at CSIO5* Aachen, with four members of the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games set to jump for the United States in Nations Cup competition. The following four combinations will compose the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for CSIO5* Aachen’s Mercedes-Benz FEI Nations Cup: Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Old Oak...

The Woodside Vaulters (Dirk Caremans/Hippo Foto/Shannon Brinkman Photo) Aachen, Germany - The U.S. vaulters had a wonderful showing in the CVIO3*, part of the CHIO Aachen that took place July 11-13. Performing well in the Albert-Vahle-Arena in Aachen, Germany, the U.S. contingent had excellent rounds in the Squad and Pas de Deux competitions as well as respectable showings in the Individual divisions. In the CVIO competition, the U.S. came home with third-place honors. The Woodside Vaulters...