Courtney Cooper got into breeding with every intention of producing upper-level event horses. Colleen Rutledge simply wanted to dabble in breeding with no particular expectations. They each took a chance on the process, and the U.S. eventing athletes believe they are on the right track with their four-star, homebred horses. Cooper and Who’s A Star and Rutledge and Covert Rights (CR) will each compete together in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover for the second...

Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna are first-time competitors this year at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, but their partnership goes back years. “My mom’s farrier, Dennis Ackerman at Pendragon Stud in Colorado, actually bred her,” Backus said of the Anglo-Trakehner mare. “So I’ve known her for her whole life. It’s been quite an adventure.” Backus, whose mother Laura...

Lexington, Ky. – A lovely weekend at the Kentucky Classic CDE played host to the 2016 USEF Pony Driving National Championships. Held October 6-9 at the Kentucky Horse Park, the championships crowned two National Champions: Leslie Berndl and Katie Whaley, along with their talented ponies. USEF Single Pony Driving National Championship Leslie Berndl and Sweetwater's Zorah Belle (Picsofyou.com) Berndl (Newcastle, Calif.) and Sweetwater’s Zorah Belle began their quest for a national...

Lexington, Ky. — When the world will be watching athletes from all around the globe competing in the ultimate sporting event, the Olympic Games, they will be watching several Pony Club graduates. Below is a list of 2016 Rio Olympic USA competitors who are alumni of the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. and share a connection with this largest equine youth organization in the world. Pony Club is proud to have been a part of these competitors' lives and offers best wishes and success in...

Best Young Horse Arbor Hill with Handler Richard Taylor (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Devon, Pa. - For the second year in a row, Richard Taylor and Arbor Hill stood front and center in the Dixon Oval on the final day of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. Owned by Kenneth Wheeler and handled by Taylor, Arbor Hill took home the Kenneth Wheeler Perpetual Trophy for Best Young Horse. Taylor and Arbor Hill (Redwine - Paisley), kicked off the day by winning the Three-Year-Old Other Than...

Lexington, Ky. – The 2016 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover (RK3DE) came to its conclusion with Sunday's show jumping phase over Richard Jeffery's challenging track. The U.S. contingent was impressive at the RK3DE, taking eight of the top 10 places on the leaderboard. Finishing second overall, Lauren Kieffer won her second Rolex/USEF CCI4* National Championship with Veronica with excellent performances in each phase. However, it was Michael Jung (GER) and...

Mike Suchanek and Fighting Chance L. (D&G Photography) Cumming, IA - June 20, 2015 - Leatherdale Farms' young horses continued to rack up blue ribbons and high scores in their second show of the year at the IaDCTA Iowa Classics I and II, held June 13-14 at Maffitt Lake Equestrian Center in Cumming, Iowa. Mike Suchanek rode six horses owned by Leatherdale Farms, including five sired by Leatherdale stallions, to strong performances in classes ranging from 4-year-old tests to Third Level....

Kent Farrington and Waomi (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Week seven of the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), sponsored by Suncast®, concluded on Sunday with the $85,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic featured in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). USA's Kent Farrington was the winner with Amalaya Investment's Waomi in a 17-horse jump-off over Tiffany Foster (CAN) and Artisan Farms LLC's Tripple X III. Beezie...

Anne Kursinski and MTM Motto (Shannon Bowers/Phelps Media Group) Wellington, Fla. - Wednesday Anne Kursinski illustrated once again why she is one of the most successful show jumpers in the United States, claiming the top prize aboard Hay's Investment Corporation's MTM Motto in the first 1.30-1.35m jumper class at The Ridge at Wellington's Turf Tour. The weather started out a bit less than ideal Wednesday morning, but that didn't stop several of Wellington's top competitors...

Lexington, Ky. - Perhaps no competitor had more fun with her performance than the Second Level Open Freestyle Champion Morgan Barrows (Monroe, Wash., Region 6) riding Janice Davis' Oldenburg gelding San Corazon. Their Billy Idol-themed freestyle was rewarded with a top score of 74.678%. "I had a blast! I want to go out there again," said Barrows, who has been partnered with her mount for less than a year. "I originally saw him at a friend's farm in Sweden when he was three. Later when...