Well fall is under way and I am trying to clear a little writer’s block. The last shows of the year are winding down. We are headed for the last ones in our area the last two weekends of the month. Fall is time to evaluate progress and prepare for next season. Some of us set goals for training, some for clinics, some for next year’s show season. We look at our feeding programs, exercise programs, breeding programs and whatever else we are running. I always find myself thinking ahead...

Calgary, AB – The prestigious Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament opened today with two classes in the International Ring and featured exciting competition. The victory in the $85,000 Finning Cup 1.60m went to Christian Ahlmann (GER) on Taloubet Z. Kent Farrington (USA) and Blue Angel flew to the win over a field of 17 in the jump-off of the $50,000 AKITA Drilling Cup 1.50m. The 'Masters' continues through Sunday, September 8, and features the $1 Million CN International...

Tracy Fenney and MTM Centano jump their way to a win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Culpeper (ESI Photography) Culpeper, VA – Top prize in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis at HITS Culpeper came down to a speed duel on Sunday afternoon. Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas topped a five-horse jump-off with MTM Farms’ MTM Centano by fractions of a second. She returned first over the short course and crossed the timers clear in 42.60...

Victoria Press and Mayfair won the $50,000 Hampton Classic Hunter Derby on the opening day of the show (Shawn McMillen photo) Bridgehampton, NY - Victoria Press, of New York, N.Y., rode her horse Mayfair to victory in the $50,000 Hampton Classic Hunter Derby, presented by Meadow View Farms, on the opening day of the Hampton Classic Horse Show. Press-at 14 the youngest rider in the 42-horse starting field-confidently guided Mayfair to the best score of the second round to claim the blue ribbon...

Samantha Segedy and Nandino (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, MI - Even though Samantha Segedy stood third with Nandino after the Classic Round of the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Walgreens, she didn't return for the Handy Round seeking a victory. Instead, Segedy's goal was to give Mrs. Ellen Malson's 5-year-old Brandenberg gelding more experience in the show ring. "I told his owner before the Handy Round that even if he drops in placing my goal was to...

To everyone that likes, tweets, posts, and shares with USEF, USEF Network, and Equestrian Magazine, I have a lot of fun doing what I do, and if it weren't for you, well, it wouldn't be as much fun. I'd love to reward each and every one of you just for interacting with us, but I'm just one social media guy. So instead let's have some fun (and give one of you a prize while we're at it). The first ever Andrew Minnick Social Media Gratitude Contest (name pending personal...

Dressage Young Rider Freestyle medalists: Jamie Pestana (Reg 7) - Silver; Ayden Uhlir (Reg 6) - Gold; Tanya Strasser Shostak (CAN) - Bronze (SusanJStickle.com) Lexington, KY – On Saturday afternoon, dressage riders competed for their Freestyle Individual medals in the Rolex Stadium at the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). Ayden Uhlir (Region 6) and Sjapoer won their second Individual Gold medal of the week in the...

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Eternal (Carrie Wirth/Mary Adelaide Brakenridge Phelps Media Group) Parker, CO - Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima built what appeared to be a straightforward course for the $40,000 Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix for Summer in the Rockies V, considered the peak week of the summer series at the Colorado Horse Park. But the course was tougher than appearances let on. "I decided to do a more technical course than a really big course, which meant they had...

Artemis and Ali Wolff (Arian Booker Photography) Traverse City, MI - Ali Wolff qualified two mounts for the jump-off in the $10,000 Great Lakes Golf Cars Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix, but it turned out she only needed one ride to clinch the win. After concluding her first round performance aboard Lanoo, Wolff discovered he was missing a shoe. Unfortunately, no one could find it, and he was unable to return for the seven-horse tiebreaker. Thankfully, Wolff's...

Westport, CT – A short month and a half ago, Molly Ashe Cawley underwent serious back surgery, but this week anyone watching her ride at the Farifield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show would never have guessed. In her first time out since the surgery, Ashe claimed a victory in the $5,000 New England Hunter Derby aboard her talented derby mount Kenzo, owned by Kristen Abbatiello-Neff. The win in Connecticut comes as part of a string of successes for Norfield Stables LLC, which Ashe...