Diana DeRosa (Kim Frey and Marlou during the first round of jumping at the 2005 World Cup.) Las Vegas, NV – Amidst the fabulous Las Vegas spectacle of fireworks, a laser show, jumbo-tron videos and even an opening musical act, it was shaping up to be a German jump-fest on April 21 until Belgium’s Ludo Philipaerts, on the grey stallion Parco, and Kimberly Frey of the U.S, on her consistent Dutch mare Marlou, showed up to throw down a challenge late in the evening. The first to go...

Jessica Heidemann, 24, of Bellingham, WA, captured the FEI World Cup Qualifier (CIC***-W) at Galway Downs, CA, on April 3 on her 14-year-old Thoroughbred-cross gelding, French Twist, with a score of 58.4. Heidemann took over the lead after the overnight leader, Lauren Whitlock, 20, of Rohnert Park, CA, and her 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, Kipling, lowered the oxer at fence seven to drop to second place on 60.1 penalties. Sara Mittleider, 19, Kuna, ID, with the 10-year-old Thoroughbred...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation has announced the team for the 2005 Samsung Super League competitions for “Tour #1,” La Baule, France (May 5-8); Rome, Italy (May 26-29); and CSIO St. Gallen, Switzerland (June 2-5). The team members listed in order of their ranking on the March 25th, 2005 USEF International Computer List, with first ranked horse also listed, are as follows: Rider, Residence, Horse, Breeding 1. Laura Kraut (1st), Oconomoc, WI, Miss...

The all-time leading sire in national reining horse history, Hollywood Dun It, was humanely put down on March 30. The 22-year-old buckskin stallion had been suffering from severe health problems escalated by his continuing battle with testicular cancer. According to Tim and Colleen McQuay, who owned Hollywood Dun It along with partner Jennifer Easton, the decision to put him down was a difficult one. Tim noted, “He’s been a part of our family, and a part of our lives, for a lot of years. None...

Courtesy NRHA (Tim McQuay and Dun Gotta Gun at the 2004 Tulsa Classic (shown here). The pair recently won the USEF Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup.) Lexington, KY – Reining icon Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX, won the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Open Reining Championship Qualifier at the Gordyville Breeders Cup in Gifford, IL, on Saturday, March 19. Riding Dun Gotta Gun owned by Jerry Kimmel, McQuay made it look easy receiving the top score of 228.5 besting the field of...

Randi Muster (McLain Ward) Lexington, KY – Exactly three-quarters of the way through a series of 12 qualifying competitions for the East Coast League, the dust of a heated race to the 2005 FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final is quickly starting to settle. Just as quickly, a clear trend in leaders begins to unfold, and Brewster, New York’s McLain Ward seems determined to lead the way to Las Vegas on April 20. Heading up a varied group of more than 60 riders, Ward holds onto the...

Winning the American Hunter Jumper Foundation Hunter Classic Spectacular is important to any hunter rider, but for Louise Serio this time was especially important. Just the day before one of her young clients (Rachel Geiger) lost her mom, Jeannie, in an unexpected turn of events and Louise made a decision that she was going to try and win for Jeannie. And so on Saturday, February 19, 2005, in Wellington, FL, with sadness in her heart but determination in her ride, Serio and Costello negotiated...

Wellington Dressage, the first of the three major dressage shows at the Winter Equestrian Festival, drew to a close on February 6 with the musical freestyle competitions and a special awards ceremony hosted in the Internationale Arena. Leading the musical freestyle winners, was show superstar, Ashley Holzer. Holzer won the $2,000 FEI Grand Prix Freestyle aboard her dynamic Dutch stallion, Imperioso, with a score of 71.583%. Holzer also won the $1,500 FEI Intermediaire-I Freestyle riding Pop Art...

The pre-registration deadline for the 2005 American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) Annual Meeting and Youth Conference is Friday, February 11, 2005. The Annual Meeting is set for Thursday through Saturday, February 17-19, at the Embassy Suites in Lexington, KY. After the pre-registration deadline, the Youth Conference registration fees will increase from $95 to $120. Registration fees for the Youth Conference include Friday night’s Youth Activities and Demonstrations Presented by William...

U.S. Endurance Team at first inspection. (Jan Mansfield ) United Arab Emirates - Two of the six riders representing the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) completed the 100-mile 2005 FEI World Endurance Championship on January 27 at Dubai International City in Dubai, UAE. The highest place finisher was Becky Harris of Medina, OH, who came in 20th place with a ride time of 8:47:03 on GA Tyfa Mynte. Carolyn Hock of Riverside, CA and GT Sando were 56th with a ride time of 11:10:13....