Amanda Thomas and Bonfire swept the Pre-Green 3'3" Hunter division over fences for the first day of Equifest (Ashley N. Williams/Phelps Media Group) Wayne, IL - The Lamplight Equestrian Center grounds were immaculate as exhibitors gathered for Equifest I. Blue skies and a light breeze welcomed riders to the hunter ring as they took on the first day of courses. Of the competitors, Amanda Thomas rode four horses to the top of the rankings. Aboard Kapalua in the Performance 3'6" Hunter...

Christine McCrea and Avenir on their way to a two-for-two weekend at HITS Saugerties. (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY – Christine McCrea finished the first week of spring competition at HITS Saugerties with a hot hand. After piloting Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables’ Avenir to the blue in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, McCrea rose to the occasion again for Sunday’s $50,000 EMO Grand Prix and cashed another winner’s check....

Lexington, KY - Cross country day was an influential one at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover. Derek di Grazia’s 6500 meter, 28 obstacle cross country course caused some problems throughout the day but did not pose any issues for HSBC World Rankings Leader Andrew Nicholson (NZL) who holds the top two places on the leaderboard. Nicholson is in the lead with Quimbo after having a textbook round, adding nothing to their dressage score of 38.0. Deborah...

Beezie Madden & Simon (Rebecca Walton/ Phelps Media Group) Gothenburg, Sweden - Valuable World Cup points were at stake Friday evening in the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final as riders vied for a place in Sunday's final competition. Uliano Vezzani tested the 38 riders that returned for round two over a flowing 13-obstacle track in the Scandinavium Arena. Riders within the top 26 placings following tonight's round qualified to jump in Sunday's final competition and of those entries...

Lausanne (SUI) - Andrew Nicholson, pictured here en route to victory at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) with Nereo, heads into the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012/2013 - the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event - as series leader and still at the top of the HSBC Rankings. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI) All eyes will be on Andrew Nicholson (NZL) this weekend as he heads for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) on 25-28 April to try to extend his lead in the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012/2013...

Rafael Jose Contreras of the Dominican Republic flies to the finish riding Valencio R.A.G. in the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round at the Live Oak International on Sunday, March 24, in Ocala, FL. (Mark Astrom) Ocala, FL - A newcomer to the international show jumping ranks won the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Winning Round competition on Sunday afternoon. The format saw the top 10 riders, regardless of faults, advance to a second ‘winning round’ where everyone starts with...

I have been promising to update readers on current trends in the Western Dressage world. One way of keeping track of what WD is doing, where it is going and who is doing it is to track events. NAWD, CD and WDAA all maintain calendars of clinics and shows around the country. By analyzing those calendars we have a simple method of tracking what is happening. The information is limited by the fact that show and clinic organizers must report their event to the organization for inclusion on these...

Patrik Kittel (Susan J. Stickle Wellington, FL - The line-up for the World Dressage Masters (WDM) Palm Beach, presented by Wellington Classic Dressage, will feature a star-studded cast of riders and horses for the January 23-27 event at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The riders confirmed their participation and the horses are arriving in Florida to compete head-to-head for their share of over €100,000 (EUR), or about $131,850 (USD), in prize money. The World Dressage...

Geoffrey Hesslink and Afrojack Jacksonville, FL - The long-awaited first-ever Southeast Medal Finals got underway today with much fanfare. Organizers Bob Bell, from Classic Company and James Lala from James Lala's Wellington Quarantine have attended to every aspect of the show to make it special and memorable. A field of 27 talented young riders competed to kick off the show bright and early at 8:00 a.m. in the USEF Pessoa Hunt Seat Medal. The first course of the show was a challenging mix...

The top junior riders from throughout the country will also travel to Lamplight to display their skill in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today . Riders will be split into two divisions 13 & Under and 14-18 as they demonstrate their mastery of equitation in the dressage ring. Rebecca Blake (FireandEarthPhoto.com) The 13 & Under championship showcases a field of eight from all parts of the United States. Max Brockway of Enumclaw, Washington will be riding in his...