McLain Ward and Sapphire tackling a tough course at the 2007 Rolex FEI World Cup in Las Vegas. (Doug Prather) Las Vegas, NV - The show jumpers returned to the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Friday evening for the second round of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final, and it was a blistering jump-off performance by American expatriate Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum aboard Shutterfly that left the crowd cheering. In 29.38 seconds, the pair scorched the six-obstacle round ahead of eight others...

As of January 1, 2007, the Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) began issuing Performance Permits to ApHC-registered, non-characteristic (N) Appaloosas. Permits allow all non-characteristic Appaloosas, regardless of parentage or age, to show in ApHC-approved and sponsored events as well as race with results counting toward ApHC race awards. The permit remains effective for the life of the horse once it is issued, regardless of ownership changes. Performance Permits eliminate the current Certified...

The U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup has received official word that the dates for the 2006 International Saddle Seat World Cup competition have been changed. The event has moved one week later and will now be held December 4-10, 2006. The prestigious international competition will be held at South Africa’s premier equestrian facility, the Parys Indoor Arena in Parys, South Africa. The U.S. will be taking on teams from Canada, Great Britain, Namibia and South Africa in an effort to match...

The Westfalian-bred stallions Damon Hill and Florencio won the World Breeding Federation Sport Horses (WBFSH) World Championships for young dressage horses, held July 1-3 in Verden, Germany. Five-year-old Damon Hill (Donnerhall x Rubinstein), ridden by Helen Langehanenberg, scored a 9.02 in the finals, just ahead of half-brother Donnerball (Donnerhall x Alabaster) and FBW Dejavu (Dacaprio x Glueckspilz). In the six-year-old division, last year's five-year-old champion Florencio (Florestan x...

Gladstone, NJ – Once again, George Williams of Delaware, Ohio, and Rocher (1991 Westfalen mare), are drawing a clear line and setting themselves apart from the rest in the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship, presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc. Already, the two are clear favorites for the title, earning a 70.333% in the USEF Grand Prix on Thursday, and a 73.84% in the USEF Grand Prix Special on Friday, two of three equally weighted classes that...

Gladstone, NJ – Together, Steffen and Shannon Peters of San Diego, California, along with their mounts, Marlando (1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding) and Luxor (1993 Dutch Warmblood gelding), have built a roadblock that won’t be easy for fellow competitors to break through. With light hands and experience on the side of the Peters, and a real desire to master the sport on the part of the horses, both pairs continue to top the score sheets on the second day of the 2005 Collecting Gaits...

Gladstone, NJ – Newlywed sweethearts Shannon and Steffen Peters wowed fans with their strong, smooth performances Wednesday, finishing side by side in first and second place respectively, during the first phase of the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship, presented by Paul Miller Auto Group, Inc. Shannon rode Luxor (1993 Dutch Warmblood gelding) to a final score of 71.85% in the USEF Prix St. Georges, just a few tenths of a point ahead of 1996...

Diana DeRosa (Debbie McDonald riding Brentina during the Grand Prix portion of the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final) Las Vegas, NV —As some predicted long before Thursday’s qualifying Grand Prix, the Dutch made a fantastic showing during the first leg of the 2005 FEI World Cup Dressage Final, April 21, proving their powerhouse precision is not to be underestimated. Edward Gal finished first on Geldnet Lingh with a total of 78.625. Ironically Gal’s score surpassed that of his...

Wellington, FL —With seven World Cup slots hanging just out of reach, and the possibility of two wild cards factoring in, East Coast League riders hold a collective breath as the latest round of qualifying points is tallied. After eight rounds of competition, the rivalry stays ever close, with McLain Ward emerging the new leader as the group takes a short recess for the Winter months. Closely following Ward’s 92 points are Kimberly Frey with 81, Laura Kraut with 72, and Lauren Hough...

Chris Pratt and Edesa's Basantos on their way to a $350,000 HITS Thermal Grand Prix win. (ESI Photography) Thermal, Calf. - The crowd that gathered to witness the $350,000 HITS Thermal Grand Prix on Sunday of Desert Circuit Week III was in store for a spectacular display of equestrian sport. An electric atmosphere combined with supremely talented exhibitors, made for an excellent day for this top-dollar class with an exceptional ending. Thirty talented riders descended upon HITS Desert Horse...