U.S. Vaulting Team Wins Gold (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - The equestrian sport of vaulting has a new Team Gold-medalist - the FACE Vaulters of the United States. In a move that will forever change the interest level of the sport in the U.S., a sold-out crowd witnessed as the first ever Team Gold was won on a freestyle score of 8.779 and a final composite of 8.029. Led by California's Devon Maitozo (35) of Woodside, CA, the team consisted of Blake Dahlgren (26) of Santa...

Mary McCormick, earlier in the week (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - The Alltech Arena was a sell-out house with old and new fans of the equestrian sport of vaulting as the men's and women's freestyle final was contested at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on Saturday, October 9. The crowd was treated to the world's best vaulters who put on a fantastic show for a vocal and appreciative audience. The top 15 from each division were invited back to compete for a...

U.S. Vaulting Team During Freestyle (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - Thousands of fans packed into Alltech Arena for the FEI World Vaulting Championships this evening, waiting to see if the crowd favorite - the U.S. Vaulting Team - could hold on to the lead in the Team Freestyle. Together, these U.S. vaulters have earned a world-class reputation for technical difficulty, impeccable form, and breathtaking artistry. The team, made up of Devon Maitozo (35) of Woodside, CA,...

Lexington, KY - Week Two of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is in the books and it has been one for the ages. It was an extremely busy week for competitors and spectators alike as six of the eight disciplines represented held competitions during the second week of the Games, with most days seeing at least two competitions going on at once. DRESSAGE Grand Prix Freestyle Simply put, it was the greatest night of dressage action in the history of the sport on American soil. For the...

Lexington, KY - The Horse Inspection for the Vaulting World Championships at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games took place this morning. In total, 55 horses were presented as both teams and individual vaulters may compete on the same horse. In the Individual Men's and Women's Competition there will be 56 vaulters and 37 horses that will represent 19 countries; 12 countries will compete as teams. Of the 55 horses presented, five were held and three passed upon re-inspection. Unfortunately,...

Eirin Bruheim and Qarco V'T Merelsnest (Photo by Connie Kelts) Katy, TX - October 4, 2010 - Nordic Lights Farm continued their streak of success this weekend at the Southwest Fall Classic. Junior riders Eirin and Lene Bruheim showed their talented mounts in the Jumper divisions held at the Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Each rider achieved excellent results throughout the weekend and retained their leads in Zone 7. Lene attended the show with NLF Valhall and competed in the High...

Disappointment is hard to swallow. I think we are still choking on it after our dreams for a medal in eventing went on the skids when Mandiba slammed on the brakes in the show jumping at a black gate. Becky Holder made the difficult decision to withdraw Courageous Comet while sitting in a very good spot for a medal but Comet will be back to fight another day and Becky and Aubrey really do look after him so well. We were all devastated, especially after Karen had the round of the day on the...

U.S. Team Supporters Look On at the Games. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF.) Lexington, KY - Week One of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games proved to be an exciting and action-packed experience for the thousands of fans who witnessed the international competition firsthand. The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, welcomed visitors beginning Saturday, September 25. ENDURANCE The 100-mile endurance race was the first competition to award medals. More than 110 horses from 30 nations...

Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF. Athletes, volunteers and spectators decked out in Ariat’s performance footwear and apparel Union City, CA, October 1, 2010 - Ariat International, Inc., the leading manufacturer of performance equestrian footwear and apparel, is proud to outfit U.S. athletes, volunteers and spectators as the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games unfold. “We are thrilled to be a part of this event, and it is exciting to see everyone decked out in Ariat footwear and apparel –...

Karen O'Connor and Mandiba. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF.) Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named Karen O'Connor and Mandiba to the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, following the withdrawal of Tipperary Liadhnan by Kim Severson (that story is available here: https://usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=6225). The following horse/rider combinations will represent the U.S. on the Team: Buck...