Andy Kocher and his own Heliante clear the Budweiser oxer on their way to the win in Sunday's $35,000 Budweiser Grand Prix (Alison Hartwell) Gulfport, Miss. - Twenty seven horse and rider teams tackled Sunday's $35,000 Budweiser Grand Prix course, designed by Manuel Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico in front of delighted crowds. Esparza is a top international course designer whose resume includes his position as an Assistant Designer for the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, Sydney 2000,...

Conor Swail and Martha Louise won the Week 8 1.40m Wellington Turf Tour Grand Prix (Kendall Biere/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, Fla. - The eighth week of The Ridge at Wellington Turf Tour saw over 30 horse and rider combinations tackle Nick Granat's technical track, but Conor Swail and Martha Louise were the ones to beat from the get go. Irish rider, Swail, rode his veteran mount to the top of the leader board as only the sixth exhibitor of the day, breaking the beam in 38.731 seconds....

Scott Stewart and Celebration (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - To kick off hunter action during WEF 8, Scott Stewart rode Dr. Betsee Parker's horse, Celebration, to the tricolor ribbon in the Perfect Products Pre-Green Hunter Level 2. Celebration was first and second over fences, paired with an under saddle win. "He [Celebration] had been champion in this division earlier in the circuit," Stewart stated, "and he went great again this week!" Finishing behind Stewart and Celebration was Davlyn...

Ben Maher and Contigo (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) got underway with its eighth week of competition on Wednesday with a win for Great Britain's Ben Maher and Contigo in the $25,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic. Anthony D'Ambrosio (USA) is the course designer in the International Arena for week eight. D'Ambrosio began the week with 48 entries in the $25,000 Nutrena Jumper Classic with a 15-horse jump-off and six double clear rounds. Olympic team...

Lexington, Ky. - In response to feedback from its membership, the United States Equestrian Federation Board of Directors took the following actions on Monday, February 23 in order to improve the process, procedures, and fairness of competition licensing. The first action that the Board adopted toward these improvements will take effect immediately. The Federation office will no longer issue competition licenses extending beyond a one-year term, allowing the Board time to evaluate the mileage...

David Beisel and Ammeretto take first place in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix Sunday at HITS Ocala (ESI Photography) Ocala, Fla. - David Beisel, of Goshen, Ohio, took first place in Sunday’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix on Ammeretto, owned by Equine Holdings, LLC. The Grand Prix took place in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium with a large crowd of spectators gathered around to watch the spectacle under beautiful, sunny skies. There were 16 efforts in the first round course designed by Coronado,...

Molly Sewell and Casparo (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Molly Sewell piloted David Matisz LLC's horse, Casparo, to championship honors in the Pre-Green Hunter Level 1. Casparo earned two firsts and two thirds over fences, along with a second place finish in the under saddle. Remaining consistent over the two days of competition, Marksman and Christopher Payne finished the day as reserve champions. The pair earned a first and two seconds over fences. Although this week was only Casparo's...

The first qualifier of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 season will take place at the Ocala CSIO4* in Florida, USA on Friday 13 February, attracting a field of six teams. The starting order, which was determined by a draw held in Ocala yesterday, will be as follows: 1. Ireland 2. Mexico 3. USA 4. Venezuela 5. Colombia 6. Canada Canada, Mexico and USA will be eligible for Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping points in The North and Central America & Caribbean League....

Ocala, Fla. - Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, is on a hot streak at HITS Ocala Winter Circuit winning the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday with Rocs to Riches and the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix on Thursday with Morocco. Lisa Goldman and Morocco on their way to a $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix win at HITS Ocala (ESI Photography) Twenty four horse and rider combinations attempted Bernardo Cabral’s course of 15 efforts set at 1.45-1.50 meters for the opportunity to take...

Darragh Kenny and Picolo (SportFot) Wellington, Fla. - In the International Arena at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) on Friday, Darragh Kenny (IRL) took the top two spots in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class aboard Oakland Ventures LLC's Picolo and Toffolon Partners LLC's Gatsby. Guilherme Jorge (BRA) set the track for Friday's 1.45m with 51 competitors and 23 clear rounds. Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC's Melody des Hayettes Z set the leading...