Equestrians never forget their first ponies. Woolly or sleek, magnificent or mischievous, they are the teachers who reveal the most fundamental and enduring wisdom about life with horses: that it is joyous, that it is hard work, that it is a partnership which demands compromise but also makes us stronger. These special animals arrive from a remarkable variety of sources—sometimes handed down from siblings, sometimes expensively acquired, often bought cheaply from an auction or an ad or...

Lexington, Ky. – This week, The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team aims to earn top marks at the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ Germany. Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover will lead the team of Laura Graves and Verdades, Adrienne Lyle and Salvino, Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet, and Steffen Peters and Rosamunde at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen, July 19-22. Individual U.S. CDI4* big tour competitors Shelly Francis and Danilo, Ashley Holzer and Havanna 145, Olivia...

Perry, Ga. - The 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational/Test Event concluded on Thursday, April 6, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Ga. The U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Stripes and Stars Teams delivered strong performances against teams from Canada and South Africa. Under the guidance of coaches Devon Garone (Richmond, N.H.), Kristin Logan (Hampton Falls, N.H.), and Christy Parker (Brunswick, Ga.), the Stripes Three-Gaited section won gold and the Five-Gaited section won...

Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisshop (Devaney Iglesias/Phelps Media Group) Wayne, Ill. - After a gallop to the final line and a double-clear effort, the crowd at Lamplight Equestrian Center rose to their their feet and cheered for Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisschop. The 17-year-old was all smiles as she crossed the finish line, while her mount soaked in the applause and celebrated their victory in the $75,000 Grand Prix at the Chicago Festival of the Horse. "He knew he did well,"...

Parker, Colo. - The Adequan®/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) concluded Sunday, July 31, at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), bringing a close to competition, which featured three disciplines throughout the week including show jumping, eventing, and dressage. Carmen Holmes-Smith (18, Chase, B.C.) and Spartacus continued their move up the leaderboard after a double-clear stadium round Sunday and were presented with the CH-J* Individual...

Lauren Hester and Warinde B (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - With only nine career grand prix wins under her belt, the pressure was on as Lauren Hester took the stage with Warinde B in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. The only American rider to advance to the jump-off, hometown favorite Hester gave it her all to earn the win, besting veteran five-star riders Pablo Barrios and Shane Sweetnam. "I'm on cloud nine, and I'm really...

Bromont, Quebec - July 25, 2016 -Young Lucy Deslauriers and her mount Hester excelled in the Québec Original Grand Prix on Sunday, July 24 at the end of the first week of the 2016 International Bromont, where three countries were represented. Lucy Deslauriers and Hester. Photo By: Tom von kap Herr. Expecting the Best Designed by renowned course designer Venezuelan Leopoldo Palacios, the course was very challenging. With 13 obstacles for 16 efforts, including a double combination as well...

Ali Wolff and Caya (Liz Crawley Photography) Mill Spring, N.C. - Ali Wolff (USA) and Caya dominated in today's $35,000 1.45m Horseware® Ireland Speed Stake CSI4* at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), exemplifying speed and agility with a remarkable time of 61.42 seconds.Trailing not far behind Wolff and earning second place honors was Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Famoso D Ive Z with a time of 62.81 seconds, also winners this week in the $35,000 Horseware® Ireland Opener...

Luis Larrazabal and Quintus Fabius (Liz Crawley Photography) Mill Spring, N.C. - Luis Larrazabal of Wellington, FL, and Quintus Fabius rode to a spectacular win in the $25,000 Under 25 Grand Prix to conclude Tryon Summer II at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), stopping the clock in 38.777 seconds for the win. Abigail McArdle of Wellington, FL, and Contessina Della Caccia almost stole the win, finishing just fifteen hundredths of a second off the winning pace to earn a time of 38.785...

Kent Farrington and Gazelle (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB, Canada – The coveted $500,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup was featured on Saturday afternoon during the ‘North American’ Tournament CSI5*, presented by Rolex, at Spruce Meadows. Jumping clear through three rounds of competition, USA’s Kent Farrington and Gazelle emerged victorious over Elizabeth Gingras (CAN) and Zilversprings in second, and Eric Lamaze (CAN) aboard Check Picobello Z third. Earlier...