Little Emir and Shane Sweetnam. Traverse City, MI - As Shane Sweetnam walked into the ring aboard Spy Coast Farm LLC's Little Emir for the jump-off of the $30,000 Grand Traverse Bay Grand Prix, he was weighing his options. With just two riders to follow him in the 17-horse jump-off, Sweetnam was figuring out his odds. At the moment, he held the lead aboard his other mount, Rolette, and he was currently sitting on one of his most experienced grand prix partners, the 14-year-old German-bred...

Katie Prudent showed the crowd that V can get it done. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB - With a record five day crowd of 117,336 braving the heat, the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ Tournament was wrapped up on the last day of the Spruce Meadows Summer Series. With the Olympics fast approaching, the Sunday of the ‘North American’ Tournament marks the last International competition for many riders before the opening ceremonies in London. With this in...

Bob Cooper, President Cement, Western Canada Lafarge presenting the winner’s trophy to Beezie Madden (USA) aboard Mademoiselle. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB - Families from all walks of life came out to Spruce Meadows on Friday to enjoy Presidents Choice Hot Dogs, Pepsi, and International-level sport on day three of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ Tournament. Although the Olympics aren’t on his mind, Kent Farrington (USA) continues to be a dominate...

Office Managing Partner, PWC, presenting the winners trophy to McLain Ward. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB - It was anybody’s game in the International Ring at Spruce Meadows today, with a rookie and veteran taking home first place ribbons during day two of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ ring. It was a first for Nayel Nassar (EGY), who beat out veterans like Beezie Madden (USA) and McLain Ward (USA) to take home the 1.50 meter Progress Energy Cup. The...

Spruce Meadows, Calgary, AB - The sun shone on Saturday at the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘Canada One’ Tournament. This was particularly true for American veterans McLain Ward and Mario Deslauriers. Fifty nine horse/rider combinations saddled up for the 1.45 meter Direct Energy Cup this morning, competing for top spot over the 500 meter long course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA). Over 16 jumping efforts, the field was narrowed down to the 13 combinations who moved into the jump...

The pros were at it again for the first day of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘Canada One’ Tournament, with half a million dollars in prize money on the line though Sunday. The day started off well for Kent Farrington (USA). After going up against 46 horse/rider combinations in the 1.50 meter Cargill Cup, designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio Farrington emerged victorious. Nobody could catch the time set by Farrington and his 10 year old Dutch Warmblood mare, Venus. This is...

Lillie Keenan and Veronique win High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Brandywine Valley Summer Series (AnLi Kelly-Durham/PMG) Devon, PA - Wednesday afternoon at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series horse shows presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS), the Junior/Amateur Owner Jumpers and the NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic were showcased in the Dixon Oval. Course designer Kenny Krome's challenging jumper tracks asked many questions of today's competitiors. Lillie Keenan...

John Pearce and Johnny B Good (Flying Horse Photography) Parker, CO -John Pearce had a winning week at the Colorado Horse Park during Summer in the Rockies II. First clinching the victory in the $10,000 Open Welcome Stake and then again during the $25,000 Littleton Equine Medical Center and Platinum Performance Grand Prix when he finished first and second. Twenty-two talented pairs faced the challenging Danny Foster course, but only three turned in phenomenal, clear, first-round performances....

Riders in the 1.45 meter, $32,000 AltaGas Cup had their work cut out for them. The course, designed by Bob Ellis (GBR), that stretched over 535 meters with 14 jumping efforts, saw 64 horse/rider combinations over the one round. In the end, Reed Kessler (USA) came out on top, with a time of 57.20. This win adds to the list for Kessler, who is looking for a spot on the 2012 US Olympic team. After placing 3rd in the Olympic trial competition yesterday, 17 year old Kessler is optimistic this win...

Caroline Roffman and Pie (Susan J. Stickle) Gladstone, NJ - The second week of the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions began Thursday with competitors in the National Intermediaire I Dressage Championship performing the FEI Prix St. Georges Test. Caroline Roffman cantered down centerline as the second competitor of the morning, then was forced to wait as the remainder of the 14 horse division tried to top her score of 73.974%. A total of five combinations were able to break the 70% barrier...