People say things always happen for a reason. Throughout the past few months I have had loads of change come my way and have learned to deal with things the way that they have presented themselves. This spring season has not been the best for Pop and me. He turned 14 this past January and has done more than I have ever thought he would. Many people told me he would never go preliminary and, for a while, I believed them. He was tough in the beginning and after the first few trainings he did I...

Wellington, FL - Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is delighted to announce they have recently received a special use permit officially allowing ESP to hold dressage competitions on the Old Polo Stadium Property in Wellington, FL, from November, 2011, to April 30, 2012, as part of the new Global Dressage Festival (GDF). In even more exciting news, a land development permit has been granted, which will allow ESP to begin construction on the new state-of-the-art dressage facility that the GDF...

Aaron Vale and Paparazzi. (ESI Photography.) Ocala, FL – Aaron Vale won the $25,000 Ocala Horse Properties, LLC Grand Prix on Saturday, April 9, during the Ocala International held at Sharn Wordley Equestrian in Ocala, FL. Just as Canada’s Francois Lamontagne had done the week before during the Ocala Jumping Classic, Vale won the $10,000 Blue Gate Farm Open Welcome on Thursday, April 7, as well as Saturday’s $25,000 Ocala Horse Properties, LLC Grand Prix during the Ocala International. Having...

Rudi Kronsteiner and Finest Copyshot. (Photo courtesy NRHA.) Kreuth, Germany – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) ended its 2011 NRHA European Futurity & NRHA Show on Saturday, April 3, in Kreuth, Germany. The show is the largest NRHA-approved show to be held outside of the U.S. and welcomes more than 300 horses and 200 riders. NRHA crowned champions in the Level 3 and Level 4 Non Pro Futurity divisions, as well as champions in the Level 3 and Level 4 Open Futurity divisions. Riders...

Sweden’s Stefan Jansson in the clinic arena. (Photo courtesy of JRPR) Wellington, FL – Dressage trainer and rider Stefan Jansson spent his first trip to Florida mentoring Lusitano horses and their riders during a clinic at Carlene Blunt’s Country Club Stables in Boynton Beach, FL. Sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos, the clinic came on the heels of The Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction, and was a fantastic learning experience for dressage riders who compete and train on Lusitanos....

Lucy Davis and Nemo 119. (Flying Horse Photography©.) Thermal, CA — Lucy Davis and Old Oak Farm’s Nemo 119 scored the crown jewel of the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit when they captured the top placing in the $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix of the Desert, presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach, to conclude six weeks of world-class show jumping at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. Davis, 18, is making herself a household name in the sport. Sunday’s victory marked her fourth Grand Prix...

Pierre St. Jacques and Lucky Tiger (SusanJStickle.com Photo) Wellington, FL - The second day of the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by the International Polo Club got underway with the Grand Prix Special on a glorious day in South Florida. Nine horse-and-rider combinations went forward to the Special after Thursday’s Grand Prix and the remaining eight will contest the Freestyle this evening. Polish rider Michal Rapcewicz proved unbeatable, winning the Special on 69.771% on Randon....

Mario Deslauriers and Victomte D. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - USA's Mario Deslauriers and Vicomte D were victorious in Thursday afternoon's $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 following a competitive class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during international CSIO week at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The FTI WEF's eighth week of competition, sponsored by G&C Farm, continues through Sunday, March 6. Friday will feature the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup...

California's Steffen Peters with his new star "Weltino's Magic". (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - Riders who dream of competing at the Pan American Games began their quest at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J in Burbank, CA, February 24-27, 2011. As the first official qualifying competition on the West Coast, horses and riders vied for scores in front of FEI judges Jayne Ayers ("I" USA), Natalie Lamping ("I" USA), and Lorraine MacDonald ("I" CAN). In addition, this competition...

Rich Fellers and Flexible. (Flying Horse Photography© .) Thermal, CA - Action at the Desert Circuit kicked into high gear on Thursday night as HITS welcomed Stuart Meikle, Director of Equine Marketing for Pfizer Animal Health, and his team, along with several leading veterinarians for an exciting night of show jumping in the indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. The group was treated to a thrilling class as Rich Fellers (Wilsonville, OR) and Flexible, owned by Harry and...