Lillie Keenan on Monterray (Parker/Russell - The Book LLC) Devon, PA - The Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search began relatively on time, right on the heels of the WIHS Jumper Phase. Though the introduction of the open water for the USEF Talent Search found a few unprepared, the course rode well. Towards the end of Section A, during Geoffrey Hesslink's round it began to rain. He entered the ring dry and left it drenched. Following the deluge, the last few rounds led into the...

North Salem, NY - McLain Ward, Brewster, NY, and Grant Road Partners’ Zander captured the top prize in the $75,000 Empire State Grand Prix Sponsored by the Kincade Group to cap off two weeks of competition at the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows in North Salem, NY. A total of 10 horse-and-rider combinations from the starting field of 33 qualified for the jump-off. Cara Raether, North Palm Beach, FL, and Trelawny Farm’s Lyonell were the first to go and took the lead with a clear round in...

North Salem, NY - Fifteen year-old Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, and Kid Rock, the first pair in the ring, took the lead in the $10,000 USHJA Hunter Derby at the Old Salem Spring Horse Show, and never relinquished custody. Keenan scored a 187 for the first round and a 201 for the second round for a total score of 388 points. Kid Rock, owned by Lexi Maounis, a 10 year-old grey Warmblood gelding, stands just 15.3 hands, but has the ability and the style to jump the big fences. He has proved this...

North Salem, NY - The inaugural Equitation Challenge took place amid much anticipation and fanfare at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. Fifteen year old Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, and Chansonette Farm’s Monterrey were the shining stars and galloped away with the top prize. Style maven Martha Stewart looked on as the youngsters showed off their grace and ability. The Grand Prix field would take its toll on some exhibitors, with quite a few refusals on course, but those who navigated...

Devon, PA - The always exciting Open Jumping at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair will have an extra fillip of tension thrown in this year as 14 of the competitors who are long-listed for the show jumping team at the London Olympics will be competing in two of the Observation Events that will decide the eventual team. Devon, which runs May 24 to June 3, benefits Bryn Mawr Hospital, to which it has donated over $14 million during the 10 decades of their association. Among the 14 long-listed...

Lexington, KY - Eight teams from around the world are preparing to represent their countries and regions at the WEF Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, FL this week and challenge for the $35,000 FEI Nations Cup title. The United States, Canada, Australia, Latin America and Europe will all be represented in small tour competition. Comprising the United States team are four riders in the midst of very good 2012 seasons. Chris Hickey will ride Hilltop...

Friday morning dawned cold and rainy as the CIC3* and Advanced Division A both got underway at 8:00 AM at The Fork Horse Trials in Norwood, North Carolina. The 60 competitor strong CIC3*, which is running as part of the PRO Tour Series, had split dressage days with half running on Thursday afternoon and the remaining this morning. Michael Pollard and Jude’s Law held the overnight lead on a 41.1, but the very first rider of the morning, Will Faudree, upset that lead by scoring a 39.6 with...

Tampa, FL - Riders demonstrated their proficiency in the equitation classes at the Tampa Equestrian Festival's Tournament of Champions today. Earning the top accolade in the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class was Hanna Marco on Careman. Testing Jose Gamarra's equitation course to first place in the Pessoa USEF Hunt Seat Medal was Morgan Ward riding Blitz DU Maris. In the Amateur-Owner Hunters Robin Swinderman earned two blues for her efforts aboard INXS. The ASPCA Maclay course, by...

Michael Morrissey and Vorst mastered the first round course and short track this morning at the Tournament of Champions (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Tampa, FL - The second day of the Tournament of Champions commenced this morning with some of its most competitive jumper divisions getting underway. The Tournament of Champions sees some of the nation's most talented riders compete in the Open Jumper classes in preparation for the esteemed American Invitational, rapidly approaching this Saturday,...

The National Collegiate Equestrian Association has released brackets for the 2012 NCEA Equestrian Championships in Waco, Texas. The Lone Star State's own Texas A&M University has been granted the top seed in the western bracket while the Oklahoma State Cowgirls, who defeated the Aggies on a raw score tie-breaker to win the Big 12 Championship (the score was 4-4 in the western disciplines), will enter western competition as the number two seed. The complete NCEA Western Bracket is...