Allison Brock and Rosevelt (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Dressage competition at the Rio Olympic Games got underway at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Center Monday with the horse inspection. A total of 59 athlete-and-horse combinations representing 18 countries are set to compete in Wednesday’s Grand Prix, the first test in team competition. The U.S. has drawn eighth in the order of 11 teams and will be represented by Allison Brock, Laura Graves, Kasey...

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Cross-country, the heart of eventing competition, proved to be demanding for the 64 athlete-and-horse combinations who contested Pierre Michelet's technical course at the Olympic Equestrian Center at Deodoro on Monday. Only three entries finished double-clear, and only 26 crossed the finish without jumping penalties. U.S. veterans Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin rode brilliantly and stand fifth and sixth,...

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl on their way to a $75,000 UlcerGuard Grand Prix win. (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - As the curtain closed on the HITS Saugerties Summer Series, thirty-five horses and riders turned out for Sunday’s $75,000 UlcerGuard Grand Prix for a shot at the money. The field consisted of Olympians and world-cup finalists, in addition to talented juniors and amateurs, but only one could claim the top title. Twelve advanced to the shortened course set by Mark McGowan...

Boyd Martin and Blackfoot Mystery (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The eventing horse inspection officially kicked off equestrian competition at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday. Over the next 14 days, 204 athlete-and-horse combinations in the three equestrian disciplines of eventing, dressage, and show jumping will compete for coveted Team and Individual medals at Rio’s Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Center. The U.S. Olympic Eventing Team of Phillip...

In the lead-up to the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, the United States Equestrian Federation will feature a four-part series that highlights the athletes, horses, and their owners that make up the U.S. Team. The following is part four. Read parts one , two , and three . Nick Valentine considers Dun It At Dawn or “Dan” his once-in-a-lifetime horse. The most memorable rides occurred on the Quarter Horse stallion. For Valentine, Dan was incredibly easy to work alongside; he...

Piber Köflach, Austria – The U.S. Driving Team has settled in at the picturesque Austrian venue for the 2016 FEI World Driving Championships for Singles, taking place August 3-7. Under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Michael Freund and Team Coach Thorsten Zarembowicz, the team of Donna Crookston, Sterling Graburn, and Suzy Stafford, along with individual Leslie Berndl, aims for top performances. A total of 23 countries are represented in the championship, giving the U.S....

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the combinations that will represent the United States at the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships in Samorin, Slovakia, September 16-17, 2016. They will be led by U.S. Endurance Chef d’Equipe Mark Dial. The following athlete-and-horse combinations will represent the U.S. in the 2016 Longines FEI World Endurance Championship (listed in alphabetical order): Thomas Hagis (Fries, Va.) and...

Jonathan McCrea and Special Lux. (Tom von Kap-herr) Bromont, Quebec - American rider Jonathan McCrea, on his mount Special Lux, won the first leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League in Bromont, on July 31, 2016. Guilherme Jorge Surpasses Himself With a generous time allowed, the chronometer was not a key factor in the first round. Course designer Guilherme Jorge, on his way to the Rio Olympic Games, nevertheless gave the starting athletes a challenge, with such...

Andrew Kocher and Zantos II (Tom von kap-Herr) Bromont, Quebec - Andrew Kocher added another victory to his collection on July 30, with a win in the Modified Grand Prix as he made it clear, in the last two weeks, that he was a fierce competitor at the 2016 International Bromont. Eight Pairs Make Jump-Off The demanding course, designed by Guilherme Jorge, proved to be a challenge for the 31 horse and rider combinations who competed in the class. Eight riders brought their horses to the jump-off,...

Lexington, Ky. - Two teams of talented U.S. show jumping athletes will take on Nations Cup competition at CSIO5* Hickstead in West Sussex, England, and CSIO3* Samorin in Samorin, Slovakia, on Friday. At CSIO5* Hickstead, Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland will guide the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team of Katie Dinan, Lauren Hough, Lillie Keenan, and Paris Sellon. The Hickstead team has drawn fourth in the order of eight nations. At CSIO3* Samorin, Chef d'Equipe DiAnn Langer will lead...