This article was originally published at www.useventing.com . Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch take the top prize for the second year in a row (Brant Gamma photo). Laine Ashker downplayed her chances of a winning the Advanced at Millbrook Horse Trials for the second year in a row all weekend, but she and Anthony Patch remained cool under pressure and rode a beautiful show jump round to defend her title in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series. With less then two points separating Ashker from...

Alfano and Jersey Boy won the Handy Round and the Overall in the International Hunter Derby (ChicagoEquestrian) Wayne, Ill. - Chicago is a great place to show in the summer and the weather did not disappoint today for Equifest II’s Derby Day at Lamplight Equestrian Center. Sunny skies and a nice breeze made for a pleasant day for riders and spectators. The feature classes were the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $5,000 National Hunter Derby. Lamplight Equestrian Center...

This article originally published at www.USEventing.com . Laine Ashker & Anthony Patch Laine Ashker and Anthony Patch are sitting comfortably atop the Advanced division leaderboard at the Millbrook Horse Trials (Millbrook, N.Y.) in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup/PRO Tour Series. It's not an unfamiliar position for them, as they won the Advanced division here in 2013. The track suits “Al” and Ashker knows how to bring out the best in her longtime partner, an off-the-track...

Lisa Wilcox and Denzello (Peter Martin-Turner/Spidge Photo for Shannon Brinkman Photography) Hickstead, United Kingdom - The United States produced improved performances in the Grand Prix Special on Saturday at CDIO3* Hickstead to earn a fourth-place finish in FEI Nations Cup competition. The team of Lisa Wilcox, Brian Hafner, Katherine Bateson-Chandler, and Susie Dutta finished on score of 414.611 in the competition that combined scores from the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special. To find...

Kevin Babington and Shorapur jump to a win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - When Kevin Babington first laid eyes on Shorapur he knew there was something special about the mare. Despite being told she was too hot for his liking, he had to try her. That first ride was a year and a half ago. Yet, Friday they won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis as if they'd been together forever. “I was like a kid in a candy store the first...

Jay Land and Nepal (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - It's always been a family affair for the Lands, but with young riders Frances and Taylor Land usually picking up the spotlight, it was exciting to see father Jay Land in the winner's circle at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Despite taking a few months off from the show ring, Jay returned ready to win as he laid down a flawless round aboard his veteran mount Nepal in the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Richard Jeffery...

Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Ireland's Shane Sweetnam is well known for helping produce top young mounts, and Thursday he showed how it is done with the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Bijzonder. When seven horses go double clear in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, the only way to win is with speed, and although Bijzonder is just learning to go fast, he clearly has a knack for it. Sweetnam sped across the finish line two seconds...

William Funnell and Billy Angelo (Samantha Lamb) Hickstead, England - Local rider William Funnell has won plenty at Hickstead over the years, and Thursday he added another title to his collection on day three of the Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead (29 July – 3 August). Riding Billy Angelo, William took the feature class of the afternoon – the Bunn Leisure Trophy. Drawn exactly half way through the 50-strong class, William jumped an immaculate clear first round...

Lexington, Ky. - The United States has high hopes of strong finishes in European CSIO5* Nations Cup competition this week, as they field teams in both Hickstead, England, and Gijon, Spain. In Friday’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain presented by Longines at CSIO5* Hickstead, the U.S. sends a veteran team into competition. McLain Ward, Reed Kessler, Margie Engle, and Beezie Madden look to showcase the form that earned them spots on the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Short List...

Traverse City, Mich. - When Rachel Boggus stepped into the Horse Shows by the Bay Grand Prix Ring for the first round of the HJAM Adult Medal Final on July 26, she was on a mission. Not only did she seek to do her best in the class, but she also wanted to push herself to escape her comfort zone. In the end, she accomplished both goals. Boggus, 32, of Indianapolis, Indiana, topped the three-phase final and also gained valuable experience toward her quest to win the Ariat Adult Medal Finals this...