Todd Minikus and Quality Girl claim the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - They’ve been second and third in the money before, but today Todd Minikus (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Quality Girl galloped triumphantly to a Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix win. With the weather on the side of spectator and exhibitor – clear, breezy and comfortable – Minikus was both ecstatic and thankful. “As athletes we appreciate the opportunity and support from...

The third day of vaulting competition was another exciting one at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, with the Individual Female and Male competitors performing their Second Round Technical Tests and the Pas de Deux pairs taking to the main arena in the Zénith for the first time. The judging panel of Sue Detol, Elzbieta Dolinska, Anita Flamand, Véronique Girard, Pavla Krauspe , Anna Kull, Helma Schwarzmann, and Karolina Wickholm had their work cut out for them with...

Le Pin-au-Haras, France – The heart of the eventing discipline was on display Saturday at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with the cross country phase taking center stage at Le Pin National Stud in Le Pin-au-Haras, France. The FEI World Team and Individual Eventing Championship saw 87 combinations set out on a world championship-caliber 5,982m, 33-obstacle cross country course designed by Pierre Michelet (FRA). Due to wet conditions, the course was shortened from 6,500m, with...

Dave Hogan of Merrill Lynch presented the top awards to Darragh Kenny on Gatsby (Shawn McMillen photo) Bridgehampton, N.Y. - With a scorching round on Gatsby in the $15,000 Merrill Lynch Speed Derby, Darragh Kenny padded his lead in the $30,000 Longines Rider Challenge, the bonus that goes to the rider who earns the most open jumper points during the Hampton Classic. Gatsby's time of 71.765 seconds created a gap of more than 1 second between him and KM What Ever RV (Jeffery Welles/72.664)...

John Perez and Utopia (Captured Moments Photography) San juan Capistrano, Calif. - On an idyllic Southern California afternoon, the $30,000 1.40m Markel Insurance Grand Prix, presented by Davidson Communities, welcomed twenty entries. With a mixed field of veterans, young horses and rookie grand prix riders, Jackie Leemon's expansive course challenged but didn't over face the competitors. In a jump-off of eleven horse and rider combinations, seasoned partners John Perez and Utopia rose...

Kevin Babington and family watch the Carling King tribute. (Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports) Halifax, Mass. - As the 2014 Silver Oak Jumper Tournament drew to a close on the final Sunday, Irish rider Kevin Babington celebrated one of the most special days in what has been a long and highly decorated career. First, during the pre-game ceremonies, his great mount Carling King, who recently passed away, was honored with a wonderful video production on the big video screen ringside. Put together by Jeff...

Brunello and Boyd during their winning handy round (A Galvin/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - -"I feel like it's a bit of a dream, like pinch me. I'm still a little bit in shock." That is what the winner of the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals had to say after her finish, and it is no wonder Liza Boyd thought winning derby finals twice in a row aboard Brunello was a long shot. She gave birth to her second child just two and a half months prior to the competition, giving...

Pablo Barrios and Antares Soar to Victory (A. Galvin/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Who ever said lightning never strikes the same place twice has not met Pablo Barrios. The Venezuelan rider once again piloted Antares to the top of the pack in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic presented by Zoetis, mimicking his effort two weeks prior in the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix. The win comes just in time for Barrios to add to his stockpile of points for the Hagyard Leading Rider Bonus...

Krisitan Roberts on Sir Charles (Lynne Owen/VaultingPhotos.com) Eugene, Ore . – The USEF/AVA Vaulting National Championships were held from July 31 – August 3 at the Oregon Horse Center in Eugene. It was the first time that the National Championships were held in the Pacific Northwest and, at the highest levels, featured athletes that could be representing the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy (WEG) in just a few weeks. In the Individual Women’s Gold...

The victorious U.S. team. (Samantha Lamb) Hickstead, England - The USA team rode out as the winners of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ of Great Britain, held Friday at the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead. The quartet of McLain Ward (Rothchild), Reed Kessler (Cylana), Margie Goldstein-Engle (Royce) and Beezie Madden (Cortes C) led from the start in Friday's feature class of the Longines Royal International Horse Show. After the first round, they were the only nation to finish on a...