Mario Deslauriers and Urico (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, KY – For the American show jumping community, the 2010 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final in Geneva, Switzerland will not be remembered for what happened on the field of play, but for a controversial decision by the Ground Jury involving the disqualification of Sapphire (ridden by McLain Ward) after the second leg. On top of the world after the first two legs, and with a variety of riders winning the majority of the classes...

McLain Ward and Rothchild (Randi Muster/Mustphoto.com) Lexington, KY - Jumping got underway at the 2010 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final in Geneva, and the horses and riders stretched their legs over the courses in the Palexpo Arena in Geneva, Switzerland before the big events got going on Thursday afternoon. The American contingent is already winning at a fairly rapid rate. McLain Ward, who has been picked as one of the favorites to with the Final after his runner-up performance in 2009 with...

McLain Ward and Sapphire Look to go One Better in 2010 (Shannon Brinkman/ USEF Archives) Lexington, KY - With 10 riders representing the United States at the 2010 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final (April 15-18), the American assault on Geneva looks very strong. Led by 2009 runner-up McLain Ward and his legendary Sapphire, the 34-year-old will look to go one better in Switzerland than they did in Las Vegas one year ago. Fortunately, they won't have the fleet-footed Shutterfly to chase as the defending...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Land Rover North America jointly announced today that Land Rover will be the official vehicle sponsor of the USEF for 2010. In addition to its status as Official Vehicle of the USEF in 2010, Land Rover will also be the title sponsor of the U.S. Eventing Team, set to compete at this year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, September 25 - October 10, in Lexington, KY. "Land Rover represents premium performance and success," says...

The FEI is to freeze the Rolex Rankings points for jumping riders on maternity leave, starting with the April Rankings issued on March 31 . Under the new system, female riders will now lose only 50% of their Rolex Rankings points during their absence from competition while on maternity leave. The new ruling means that former world number one Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum moves up from 31st on the March Rolex Rankings to 20th following the reinstatement of 50% of her points. The German rider, who...

There were no rabbits this Easter at the Tampa Equestrian Festival during the $50,000 Grand Prix of Tampa CSI**-W. When four riders were unable to complete Sunday's jump-off round without bringing down a rail, Margie Engle and Indigo were determined to have a steady, clear ride. The pair left all the jumps standing, and despite accruing two time faults, Engle and Indigo claimed the day's top prize. Canadian Hugh Graham was the first to attempt the shortened course with Executive Privilege 3E,...

The Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix has been the talk of the town this winter as the excitement amongst the world's top riders is on the rise in anticipation of qualifying for this unprecedented event. Over the course of the HITS Winter Circuits, 159 top Grand Prix riders took advantage of 35 HITS Pfizer Million Qualifiers as they vied for $1.5 million in prize money and one of 40 coveted slots on the Pfizer Million Eligible Rider Rankings List. The Winter Circuits in Thermal and Ocala produced 45...

Photo by Robbi Meisel (Daniel Geitner and Sympa) The Atlanta Spring Classics series closed this Easter weekend under perfect blue skies and more heated competition among hunters and jumpers. Held at the Georgia International Horse Park, home of the 1996 Olympics, in Conyers, GA, the two-week event presented by the Classic Company came to a close with the announcement of division champions. “We’ve had two weeks of glorious showing here in Conyers with great weather, good rings, and some of the...

Competition in the 2010 Cavalor Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series grew with intensity during the month of March. With classes still in full swing at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, riders continued to earn points on the series' overall standings. One such rider is Reed Kessler of Armonk, NY, who competes in the Series' East Conference Junior division with her mount Ligist. With back-to-back first-place finishes with Ligist, Kessler earned 330 points,...

Photo by ESI Photography (Jennifer Alfano and Fantabulous on course in the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby at HITS Ocala. ) The 2010 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit was certainly a successful tour for HITS Ocala Veteran Callan Solem. The accomplished equestrian found victory in the Grand Prix ring several times during the eight-week horse show circuit at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL, including a win in the $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Allison, owned by Quiet...