Leipzig, Germany - The Leipzig Exhibition Center hosted the first round of the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final - the speed leg - this afternoon and all 10 American combinations looked to get a head start on the competition. Frank Rothenberger set a scopey yet technical course that tested all 43 competitors in the 2011 Final and allowed for a number of different lines and options to be ridden. With the faults converted format, finding the correct balance between forward and efficient riding and...

Leipzig, Germany – Beezie Madden kicked off the 2011 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final with a win for the U.S. Wednesday morning in the Opening Competition. Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo bested the field of 24 as the only combination to jump faultlessly in the first round. Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo. (Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG) Madden (Cazenovia, NY) was the first U.S. rider in the ring and set the tone immediately. The Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Coral Reef Ranch jumped...

Lexington, KY - The United States will have strong representation in Germany for the 2011 FEI World Cup Finals (April 27-May 1), with 20 of the country's best riders ready to leave their mark on Leipzig. For the first time the World Cup Finals in dressage, driving, jumping and vaulting will all be held under one roof, with the US sending competitors to vie for top honors in the dressage and jumping. The US will also use the Leipzig Exhibition Hall to showcase up-and-coming jumping riders in...

Nina Lill and GB Jacs Bond. (NRHA.) Kreuth, Germany – The Consolation for the $187,000 added National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Open Futurity offered plenty of fine reining for visitors today. It was FEI European Champion Nina Lill (GER) who rode to a top score of 220 astride GB Jacs Bond (owner Jan Gerbig). The gelding by GB Jac out of Dr Bonds Bessie was bred by Daniela Schurrer and earned the Western Event Snaffle Bit Level 2 Open Futurity Champion title last year. The duo...

Wellington, FL - Competition at the seventh 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. McLain Ward and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve Triumph in $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2*...

Tucker Johnson and his Four-in-Hand team (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - After a dressage phase in the Combined Driving Championships that left multiple ties at the top of the leader board, today's marathon course proved to mix things up, as is often the case. The U.S. Driving Team is now sitting in second with a combined score of 300.11, behind The Netherlands on a 273.77. Ijsbrand Chardon (NED) won the marathon phase, charging through the obstacles with speed and...

Driving The first of two Mandatory Outings for the drivers on the Short List for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games was held over the weekend at the Carolina Horse Park in Southern Pines, NC. Drivers Bill Long, Cindy O'Reilly, Gary Stover, and Casey Zubek worked under the guidance of US Coaches Peter Tischer and Michael Freund in a competition format. International Judge Johan Lange was also on hand to lend his expertise. All teams passed the vet check and proved over the three days that...

Team Medals in Show Jumping at the NAJYRC (Sportfot) Dressage At the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) gave riders the opportunity to compete in the same arena that will be used to determine world champions at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in September. On day one of competition the dressage riders battled it out in the team tests. In the Young Rider team competition, the combined...

Photo by SusanJStickle.com (Sagacious HF recently earned Crown Predicate honors from the KWPN (Dutch Warmblood) Registry) Al Guden’s 11-year-old Grand Prix KWPN gelding, Sagacious HF, recently earned Crown Predicate honors from the KWPN (Dutch) Registry. This special symbol on his registration papers means he is ranked in the top 200 FEI Dressage Horses in the world. Sagacious HF was actually ranked 56th in the world. Guden’s journey with Sagacious HF started when he purchased the...

Today was a good day. Even if with cold temperatures and rain in the morning. Today was a good day. Three Americans sit at the top of the Rolex Three-Day leader board. The sun came out. The freestyle for the Kentucky Cup CDI3* is set to take place soon. And oh yeah, I had a lovely chat with Jonathan “Jock” Paget this afternoon. For those of you not familiar with one of New Zealand’s top riders, Jock and Frances Stead’s Clifton Promise are making their debut at the 4 star level here at the Rolex...