Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra (Phelps Media Group, Inc.) Lexington, KY - Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra returned to the Rolex Stadium with a vengeance after a close second place finish in Friday's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. They edged out Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Eternal by less than .2 seconds in the jump-off to claim the title in today's $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. Eight riders from the field of 31 starters advanced to...

Hunt Tosh and Casanova (Emily Riden) Lexington, KY - "It was a pretty easy decision considering both horses were coming from the same barn," Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, owner of Casanova said. "They have both been so good, there really was nothing else to ask of them. They were fantastic both days." Tosh added: "The great owners made a good decision. That was my gut instinct, but I never even had to say anything. They both came into the schooling ring and said neither one of them are...

David Blake and Park Lane (Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - David Blake piloted the up-and-coming young horse Park Lane to a win in the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers to kick off the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show's jumper divisions. Earlier in the day, Christi Israel rode Bull Run's Zino Platinum to first place in the 1.35m Open Jumpers. The $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers was run as a speed class over the course designed by Allen Rheinheimer....

Brittini Raflowitz cleaned up Chicago on the final day of Equifest I with the $7,500 Cavalor High Junior/Amateur-Owner victory aboard Zacca Zoeloe, riding to the second place with KT Undercover (Ashley N. Williams) Wayne, IL - The final day of Equifest I opened to cloudless skies and strong jumper competition as the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers took the spotlight in the Grand Prix Arena at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Brittini Raflowitz rode to her fourth major win of the week, this...

Shane Sweetnam and Fineman (Shawn McMillen) Lexington, KY - The Rolex Stadium was full of excited spectators as they gathered on Hats Off Day to watch the country's top horse and riders compete during the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix. The international riders gave them exactly what they were looking for: an exciting tiebreaker between five-horse and rider combination dashing to the finish. In the end it was Ireland's Shane Sweetnam and his new mount Fineman that led the victory...

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - The top riders in the country gathered to compete for the winning prize in tonight's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, but in the 15-horse jump-off only the fastest and most accurate would have the chance at the prize money. Venezuela's Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra scored the lion's share of the cash after making a mad dash across the finish line in a scorching 43.662 seconds for the win. The...

Cassandra Roberts of the USA Southeast and Viktory Banner finishing the 75-mile endurance race (Brant Gamma Photography) Lexington, KY - Four teams were fielded for this year's endurance race and it was a great opportunity for young riders to experience the FEI competition and what they can do for their country in the future. Leading the Gold medal-winning team for the USA Southeast was Cassandra Roberts (16, Bronson, FL) on Viktory Banner, who also won the Individual Gold medal with a...

Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde guided Lewin 5 to victory in the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix on July 6 at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Peter Wylde made his first trip to Manchester, VT, a winning one by claiming victory in the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix on July 6. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival is running July 2 through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT. A veteran of the...

Ammeretto and David Beisel (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, MI - Ammaretto and David Beisel cruised to the blue ribbon in the $2,500 CMJ Sporthorse 1.40m Jumper Speed Stake, one of Thursday's featured classes at Horse Shows by the Bay. Over a Chris Brandt-designed track, Beisel and the bay Dutch Warmblood (Numero Uno--Ranna) jumped clear in 63.61 seconds as the 11th of 12 competitors in the ring. Beisel, of Goshen, OH, has ridden the 8-year-old stallion for the past five years and...

Mark Bluman of Colombia rode G&C Lagran to victory in the $10,000 Open Welcome, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 4, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT - Mark Bluman of Colombia won the $10,000 Open Welcome, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, held Thursday, July 4, at the Vermont Summer Festival. The six-week equestrian competition is running July 2 through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East...