Darragh Kenny and Twister (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Week seven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Hermès, began on Wednesday morning at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, with a win for Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Cavallo Farms, LLC's Twister in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper speed class. Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL, set the speed track for the 1.45m jumpers in the DeNemethy Arena at PBIEC. Fifteen entries...

This week I want to update you about some exciting new programs coming in 2013 for Western Dressage enthusiasts. As this discipline continues to develop, more tests are available, more shows are available, and more award programs vie for participation. The show and clinic calendars are filling up for the year and so much is happening. In January our local WSH Zone added year end awards for Western Dressage following the inclusion of Western Dressage as a subdivision of Dressage on the...

Karl Cook (USA) aboard Norories Utopia in the $30,000 EQU Lifestyle Speed Classic Las Vegas, NV - It was a night full of speed and spills as forty-two horse and rider duos broke from the gate in the $30,000 EQU Lifestyle Speed Classic. The evening was dedicated to great causes as Just Word International hosted their infamous horseless horse show and High Jump Finals, as well as the local Air Force Base Honor Guard presented our nation's colors before competition was underway. German course...

Annie Finch and W.C. Swing. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Upper Marlboro, MD - Annie Finch of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and W.C. Swing, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Guidam, led the victory gallop for the second time this week in the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals. Just five days ago, Finch won the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Finals. Finch beat 28 other riders in the competitive class by scoring 87.45 in the first round and an 85.4 in the second round for a total of 172.85. Elysse...

Lillie Keenan and Clearway (Shawn McMillen Photography) Upper Marlboro, MD – The Capital Challenge Equitation Championship Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com, hosted three equitation finals today, starting with the North American Junior Equitation Championship, in which Lillie Keenan took home the big win on Clearway, owned by Heritage Farm. Sydney Hutchins was victorious in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) National Children's Medal Finals, while Annie Finch won the blue...

Champion Megan MacPherson and reserve champion Hannah von Heidegger with Caraneen Smith of Bigeq.com (Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. ) Upper Marlboro, MD – The Capital Challenge Horse Show opened up competition today at the Show Place Arena. This is the first day of the Capital Challenge Equitation Championship Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. The Capital Challenge Horse Show runs through Sunday, October 7. The North American Junior Flat Equitation Championship is a fun and competitive class...

Woodside, CA - Derek di Grazia has done a substantial redesign of his cross-country course for the Woodside International Horse Trials, which will take place on Oct. 5-7, presented by Professional’s Choice and Equine Insurance of California. Di Grazia says he’s changed five combinations on the course for the featured CIC3* division, and he’s also made numerous alterations for the CIC2* and CIC1* divisions. “Because we did quite a bit last year, when Woodside became an...

Tulsa, OK – Clearing the first major hurdle at the Adequan/USEF National Open Reining Championship, and after a year of qualifying for the chance to compete for the championship title, all riders cleared the jog today at the Ariat Tulsa Reining Classic in Tulsa, OK. Concurrent with the Open division held on Friday, August 31st, the Adequan/USEF National Reining Championship will feature the nation’s most elite horse and rider combinations all vying for the gold medal and the top of...

It is proving to be a big day for the U.S. at English competitions this morning and it’s only lunch time! At the 2012 Paralympic Games, the fourth U.S. rider, Donna Ponnessa, does not perform her 1a Team Test until 4:33pm, so another 4 hours of anxious anticipation! Her U.S. teammate’s got things off to a good start yesterday as Jonathan Wentz and Becca Hart gained massive scores for the U.S. to keep them in the team hunt. Jonathan scored 70.364% to finish fifth in the Grade 1b Team...

Yesterday’s Longines FEI World Endurance Championship held at Euston Park near Thetford, Suffolk, UK (25th August 2012) was described as a “showcase” for the sport. The race was won by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum riding Madji Du Pont, in a ride time of 7hr00min45sec at an average speed of 22.82km/hr. The first three riders home were all from the United Arab Emirates which also won the team competition taking gold ahead of France with Oman emerging as a new force...