Hunter Chancellor is a 17-year-old junior at Mater Del High School from Evansville, Indiana. She is ranked third in her class and has a 3.99 GPA. Hunter is on the five-gaited section of the 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. People always ask me at what age I started riding horses. I guess the true answer is, “since before I was born.” My mom showed American Saddlebreds long before I was around, and continued to ride in the early stages of her pregnancy. Not only did my mom show...

Lexington, KY- The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named four athlete/horse combinations to represent the U.S. at CSIO-W Buenos Aires in Argentina. This CSIO will take place November 6-11, 2012. The United States will be represented by the following combinations: Charlie Jacobs (Boston, MA) on CMJ Sporthorse’s Flaming Star and Deeridge Farms’ Leap of Joy. Flaming Star is a 13-year-old Irish gelding Leap of Joy is an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Quentin Judge...

2012 World Dressage Masters Wellington, FL - The excitement is building for dressage fans and aficionados worldwide as the countdown begins for the must-see event in 2013-the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach. The internationally acclaimed World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach will return to the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center January 23-27, 2013 during the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*. World Dressage Masters (WDM), presented by Axel Johnson Group, is an elite competition series...

Los Angeles, CA - The 2012 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West kicked off at the Los Angeles International Jumping Festival at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on September 20. The final consists of four phases: flat, gymnastics, jumping, and a work off. On Thursday, the thirty-three finalists competed in Phase 1 and were split into groups of five to six riders to compete on the flat. Riders were asked to demonstrate the usual flat movements, such as the counter...

Calgary, Canada - The 2012 Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament had great significance for U.S. riders, as it was their final competition under the guidance of legendary Chef d’ Equipe George Morris. The prestigious competition is always a destination event for not only the best in North America but also draws top competitors from Europe. The signature classes of Spruce Meadows would once again draw a packed house of spectators, as horses and riders competed for top individual honors in...

So we are closing in on the end of the Para-Equestrian Dressage portion of the 2012 Paralympic Games, with only two Freestyles left for the U.S. to perform. It has been an amazing experience for me so far and the icing on the cake would be a medal for our riders! We have come incredibly close on a few occasions but with two more opportunities we are still hopeful. Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale were so close on Saturday but had to settle for fourth, not bad in your first Paralympic...

Melissa Orlick-Zbierski and Viekie (Flashpoint Photography) Zionsville, IN - The festivities and competition continued Sunday at the 2012 Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair. Perfect shirt-sleeve weather brought spectators in droves. The show celebrated Kids Day and welcomed them by the van-load to take pony rides, and enjoy face painting and games in a very active Kids' Area at Wild Air Farms in Zionsville, IN. Mid-morning the spectators were treated to an exciting show...

Peter Leone and Tuvalu (Tammy Hardy Photography.) Hampton Falls, NH – Speed was the word of the day at The Jumper Classic®, presented by Fidelity Investments® and Audi of America. In the $3,500 DG Ventures Speed Derby, Olympian Peter Leone piloted Tuvalu, owned by Alison Finger, to the fastest clear round for victory. Located in the beautiful town of Hampton Falls, NH, The Jumper Classic is New England’s premier equestrian event. This elite level competition attracts the...

Taylor Cox and Midnight Heart taking first place at Pony Jumper Championship at the 2012 US Pony Finals. (Ashley N. Williams) Lexington, KY - Riders have trained all year to prove their ponies possess the honed skill to jump in the US National Pony Jumper Championships at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. With stadium seating and a lively audience, 31 competitors from around the country attempted a faultless finish and to set an unrivaled time to beat. Putting on an unparalleled...

Greenwich, UK - Clear rounds were the order of the day in the First Individual Qualifier for Jumping in the main arena at Greenwich Park. Of the 75 starters in the Olympic Show Jumping Competition, 32 jumped clear rounds. Of those, two belonged to American riders Rich Fellers and McLain Ward. Reed Kessler added just one time fault at her first Olympic Games meaning the USA heads to the Team Competition with a strong start. Team Competition begins Sunday, August 5. Chef d'Equipe George...