Another eventful day in Smartie’s world. It all started off pretty well, with me and Smartie both in a great mood. Smartie was especially happy because we got to graze her for a really long time. Since her middle name tends to be “Piggy,” she was very happy with her clover-filled breakfast. As the day went on, I began to get very excited. This made for a very long time of excitement since our class did not even start until 10 o’clock at night, but that didn’t stop...

Terry Brown and Nice Take Home Performance Hunter Championship at Kentucky Summer Horse Show (Phot: Holly Whiteman/PMG). Lexington, KY - There was plenty of sunshine for the second day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park during their World Champion Hunter Rider event. The professional divisions concluded today in the Stonelea Ring with the Green Working Hunters, Conformation Hunters, and Performance 3'6"-3'9" Hunters all awarding championship and reserve...

Saugerties, NY - Last week, HITS-on-the-Hudson ran 11 simultaneous rings and welcomed over 1,700 horses to its Saugerties show grounds, rising to the top of summer show jumping and paving the way for two more weeks of sold-out shows. Grand Prix and Hunter Prix riders alike continue on the road to qualifying for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final as exhibitors continue to flock to Saugerties for Weeks V and VI. High-Performance riders shine at...

Started off the day with a nice bath for Smartie, which she greatly appreciated. Her ankle looked really good this morning with only minor swelling, but just for a precaution, we wrapped her back up in ice until we were called for the jog. My team went first, and of the three of us, Smartie was second. We entered the ring for the jog and began walking as directed. Looking back, it was very obvious that I was extremely nervous. The entire time I was talking to my dad about how worried I was...

Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z won the 1.40m Open Jumper class at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show (Photo: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com). Lexington, KY - It was beautiful and sunny for the opening day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Shows at the Kentucky Horse Park. Today, riders gathered at the Walnut Ring to compete for top prizes in the Open Jumper classes. Ashlee Bond and Chivas Z were the big winners, claiming the victory in the 1.40m Open Jumper class with the fastest clear effort. In the 1.35m...

For the past week, I have been working hard to stay ready for this big show. Because Smartie lives in Arkansas and I live in Mississippi, I obviously cannot ride her every single day—although, I wish I could. So, while I am at home, I ride other horses to stay in riding shape. Lately, I have also been teaching some riding lessons to a kid from our church. He went to camp and fell in love with horses. When he got home, he asked if he could come hang out with me at the barn and learn more....

Albuquerque, NM - The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) kicks off the 2011 national show season with the Youth National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show (Youth Nationals), July 23-30, 2011 at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM. The equine industry's shining young stars, ages 6-18 (although you might find some remarkable 3 year-olds in the lead-line classes) will swagger into Albuquerque with their Arabians, Half-Arabians, and Anglo-Arabians to present the work they've...

Danielle Torano and Capitano won the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix, presented by Devoucoux Saddles, on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at the Vermont Summer Festival (David Mullinix Photography). East Dorset, VT — Danielle Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and the amazing Capitano, owned by Sir Ruly, Inc., sped around the course to win the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix, presented by Devoucoux, on Sunday, July 24, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The six-week equestrian...

Caitlin Ziegler, 16, won the 1.35m Prix Sports Equestres riding Butragenia for Artisan Farms LLC on Friday, July 22, in Chantilly, France (Photo: Sportfot). Chantilly, France – Caitlin Ziegler won her first competition in Chantilly, France, by claiming victory in the €2,500 Prix Sports Equestres held Friday, July 22. The 16-year-old from Mequon, WI, won the first class she competed in at the international show jumping event in France, guiding Butragenia to victory over 70 other...

Megan Young and Calvados won the $10,000 Betsey Johnson Open Welcome Stake at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont (David Mullinix Photography). East Dorset, VT — Megan Young of Mandarin, FL, guided Calvados to victory in the $10,000 Betsey Johnson Open Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Friday, July 22, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The six-week equestrian competition is running at Harold Beebe Farm from July 6...