Saumur, France - The rain that has plagued much of the week at the Saumur CCI3* continued on Friday but the two U.S. entries were undeterred as they slotted into the top 10 at the completion of the first phase. Land Rover Competition Grant recipient, Doug Payne, leads the American effort standing fourth heading into the cross country, with Elisabeth Halliday-sharp lying eighth after the dressage. Doug Payne and Crown Talisman (Eric Knoll) Payne (Apex, N.C.) and his own and Larry and Amelia...

USA Riders at the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* (Left to Right) Elizabeth Traband, Holly Bergay, Deborah Stanitski, Kate Shoemaker, Susan Treabess, Ashleigh Flores-Simmons, Chef d'Equipe Kai Handt, and up front is U.S. Air Force Veteran Derrick Perkins. (John Stevenson) Rancho Mureieta, Calif. - The pressure was on at the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* for many U.S. para-dressage athletes looking to qualify for the World Equestrian Games. From April 4-6, 2014, riders from Grade...

Aaron Vale and Spirit of Alena win the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Ocala (ESI Photography) Ocala, Fla. - Thirty contenders showed up to challenge the difficult track set by course designer David Ballard of Tottenham, Ontario, Canada in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Sunday at HITS Ocala. It was, however, Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida and Spirit of Alena that took the victory. The time allowed was set at 77 seconds, and the course included a...

Josephina Nor Lantzman and Chello Z were the only pair to ride clear over Olaf Petersen Jr.’s first-round track to secure an early victory in the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Thermal (Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, Calif. - As the dust settled from World Cup week at HITS Desert Horse Park, Josephina Nor Lantzman piloted her own Chello Z to the top of a 29-horse field in the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. The highlight for Nor Lantzman was that...

Lisa Goldman and Centurion B (ESI Photography) Ocala, Fla. - Lisa Goldman won three grand prix during her first appearance at the Ocala Winter Circuit last year, and hasn’t skipped a beat since. She returned with a bang this week, winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, to kick off grand prix competition at this year’s circuit. Riding for her family-owned Red Coat Farm in Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, Goldman piloted Centurion B to the win. Last year, Goldman and...

Rhian Murphy piloted Phantom to the MHJ Junior Medal Finals victory during the 2013 Massachusetts Hunter Jumper Finals at the Fieldstone Show Park (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Halifax, MA - Top riders from across New England gathered at the Fieldstone Show Park for the 2013 Massachusetts Hunter Jumper Finals. After working all year to qualify for the prestigious event, riders competed in their respective divisions to earn the championship honors. The Junior Medal was award to Rhian...

Lisa Goldman and Centurion B rode to the top of the Equifest II Welcome Stake this afternoon as they captured the victory in 35.029 seconds (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Wayne, IL - The Grand Prix Ring was alive with excitement as Lisa Goldman and Centurion 3 rode to the top of Equifest II's $5,000 1.40m Welcome Stake victory. Eager spectators gathered at the Lamplight Equestrian Center to watch the country's top riders compete during the $5,000 1.40m Welcome Stake, and the riders left nothing...

Josephina Nor-Lantzman and Chello Z (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, CA - On another gorgeous breezy Southern California afternoon, sixteen horse and rider combinations attempted the track set by internationally renowned course designer Guilherme Jorge in the $30,000 June Classic III Grand Prix, presented by The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. The challenges on course resulted in only three fault-free rounds with the victory going to the only double clear of the day, Brazilian Josephina Nor-Lantzman...

The meeting of No.1 and No.2 is the highlight of this weekend's NCEA schedule. Overall there's a lot to follow on Saturday and Sunday. My brief preview of all the scheduled NCEA competition this week is below. No.1 University of Georgia vs. No2. Auburn University Indy Roper and the No.2 Auburn Tigers head to Bishop, GA to take on the No.1 Georgia Bulldogs (Danielle Long - Sophomore at Auburn) These two teams were separated by 1 point in the latest coaches poll and both are in the middle...

Rusty Stewart and Bristol San Juan Capistrano, CA - The Blenheim Indoor Arena was bursting at its seams this evening during the $50,000 Blenheim World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Summit General Insurance Agency. Spectators filed in by the bus loads and with standing room only, equestrian fans of all ages got to witness the veteran rider Rusty Stewart and his incredible 10-year-old mount Bristol ride a perfect round and win his second consecutive World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix. The pair has...