Last week I posted a virtual show entry video from an amazingly brave woman who continues to allow me to use her material for examples in this blog. Her courage and generosity inspire me and I hope that her open heart and willingness to be visible inspire you too. I hope that some of you readers are able to identify with her as a peer, a rider struggling to understand riding and training her stock horse and that you professionals at least respect her courage. Reaction to the video has been...

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra finished second in the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. (Rebecca Walton) Lexington, KY - Pablos Barrios and his talented mare Zara Leandra have been almost unstable thus far in the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. The pair kicked things off by winning the first class in May, and they then garnered wins in both the third and fourth classes of the series. Most recently, Barrios and Zara Leandra finished second in the $25,000 Hagyard...

Fifi Schmidt and Gotta Dance rode to the Performance 3'3"-3'6" Hunter Championship during the Fieldstone Summer Showcase I (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group) Halifax, MA - Fifi Schmidt and Gotta Dance rode to the top of the Performance 3'3"-3'6" Hunter Championship today during the Fieldstone Summer Showcase I. Blue skies greeted riders at the Main Hunter Ring early this morning, welcoming the second day of competition at the Fieldstone Show Park. Lisa Foster and Castleguard returned...

Hunt Tosh and Casanova (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - The USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program is in its inaugural year, and based on the huge horse and rider turnout, large spectator draw and beautiful hunter rounds today at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, it is already an overwhelming success. Thus far, it has also proved to be particularly successful for Hunt Tosh. The USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program Championship opened with two rounds of competition today at the...

Dublin, Ireland - The United States produced a hard fought effort in CSIO5* Dublin's Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines to finish in a tie for third place on a score of 16 faults. Eight teams went to task over Alan Wade's scopey track, with the team from Great Britain finishing on eight faults to lift the Aga Khan Trophy. Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland led the U.S. effort in Dublin which was bookended by two-time Olympic gold medal winning teammates McLain Ward and Beezie...

Colin Syquia and Apropos (Emily Riden) Lexington, KY - The first and second place line-up of this week's $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Summer Classic bore a striking resemblance to that of last week's class. Colin Syquia and Apropos took the first place position in the derby just six days ago, and they returned to do so again today. Last week's second place finisher, Meredith Darst, was once again number two, this time aboard Capstone. Today's...

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl on their way to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties (ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - Quality Girl’s feet were lightning fast and her turns were tight as she carried Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, Friday at HITS Saugerties. Besting a field of 47, Minikus added another grand prix to a long list of top finishes with his own Quality Girl during...

Kristi Nunnink & R-Star after winning the Event at Rebecca Farm CIC3* (USEA) Kalispel, MT - R-Star has done it again. For the second consecutive year, this grey Holsteiner mare by Riverman, has won the CIC3* at The Event at Rebecca Farm rising from fifth after cross-country to first with an accurately ridden round over the Marc Donovan designed show jumping course. Katie Ruppel and Houdini took down just one rail to move up to second ahead of Katie Groesbeck and Oz The Tin Man who moved...

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra won Thursday's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic (Rebecca Walton) Lexington, KY - Following his win in Thursday night's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, Pablo Barrios has leapt to the top of the leader board for the 2013 Hagyard Challenge Series. Barrios and his talented mare Zara Leandra were the winners of the first class in May, and with a speedy clear round during Thursday's event they bested a 15-horse jump-off for another victory. Richie Moloney...

With Wings delivered Karen Polle a belated birthday present when he carried her to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis (ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY – After turning 21 on Thursday, Karen Polle of New York, New York and With Wings celebrated with a blue ribbon in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. Under clear blue skies, Polle and With Wings were definitely sporting their wings, riding to an impressively quick jump-off round and...