Flying Horse Photography©. (Lucy Davis and Nemo 119.) Thermal, CA — Lucy Davis, one of the youngest Grand Prix riders on the HITS winter circuit, captured her biggest win of the season when she won Saturday night’s $50,000 HITS CSI-W Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard Old Oak Farm’s Nemo 119 to highlight Desert Circuit V at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. Davis (Los Angeles, CA) got the best of the 26 starters that challenged International Course Designer Olaf...

The timing was finally right for the U.S. Team to put their strongest team forward for the Nations Cup at CSIO Wellington. The team scored a huge win, with professional performances from all four riders. Sapphire returned with foot-perfect form for McLain Ward, jumping two clear rounds to lead the U.S. effort. The packed house couldn’t get enough and the Team USA cheering section went wild when she touched down over the last fence both times. Sapphire wasn’t the only one to notch...

The US Team Celebrates (Sport Fot) Wellington, FL – Four of the United States’ classiest veterans represented the United States in the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm and did not disappoint a packed house of fans. They dominated the field of eight teams to win on a score of eight faults over Canada on 16. Three teams tied for third: Great Britain, Australia and Ireland, all on 37 faults. Under the lights in the International Ring at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Club,...

Lincoln, NE - The Dressage Foundation Young Rider Olympic Dream Program is ready to go for the tenth year. The concept of the program evolved as a result of former Olympian Michael Poulin’s wish to offer an opportunity for gifted Young Riders to enhance their understanding of dressage theory through a European tour. The program is both funded and administered by The Dressage Foundation of which Poulin is a National Board Member. The 2011 trip is planned so as to maximize the possibility that...

McLain Ward and Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve. (Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Saturday night at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve in the $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2* Grand Prix. The class was held on a beautiful Florida evening under the lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Riders representing 12 different countries made up the international field this evening, showing over a course...

Richard Spooner and Cristallo. (Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival's seventh week of competition continued on Thursday afternoon with round seven of the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series. Held in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the class saw a total of 59 entries with 16 jumping clear to return for the jump-off. After arriving in Wellington just three days ago, California's Richard Spooner and his top mount Cristallo...

Ocala, FL - What do you get when you mix beautiful weather, talented horsemen, first-class facilities, exciting events and fabulous prize money? The answer is simple: HITS Ocala. The Ocala Winter Festival marked the second AA rated week of show jumping in the 'Sunshine State'. The two Grand Prix and weekly Devoucoux Hunter Prix saw record-breaking entries this week. In Thursday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Kent Farrington of Chicago, IL, emerged as the...

Lexington, KY - American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) members, youth and guests poured into the ballroom at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY, on February 19, 2011 to enjoy the culminating event of the 2011 ASHA Convention & Youth Conference, the Saddlebred Gala. Included in the night’s festivities were acceptance speeches by the recipients of ASHA’s Annual Awards, several of whom were greeted with rousing ovations. Award recipients included Lifetime Achievement...

Wellington, FL - February 21, 2011 - The sixth week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) has concluded at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, and another week of fantastic competition was held. The FTI WEF hosts the best that the sports of show jumping, hunters, and equitation have to offer in 12 rings of competition. In addition to competition, the FTI WEF hosts many exciting activities. In an unusual class on the opening morning of week 6 at the FTI Winter Equestrian...

Karen Pavicic on Don Daiquiri, with Lorraine MacDonald, President of the Ground Jury. (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - Sunny skies re-emerged over the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA, for the final day of the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J. Although only two competitors chose to contest the Intermediaire I Freestyle, both Canadian riders demonstrated how they will be serious contenders for a spot on their country's Pan American Games team. Dancing to the victory was...