I would describe today as a Between Day; somewhere between good and bad, and for my persona, somewhere varying between “sociably acceptable and bear with sore head and irritated butt”. There is a standing guideline within the British Military called the 1/3rd - 2/3rd Rule – of the time available, use 1/3rd for your own planning leaving 2/3rds for your subordinates. I think it works in reverse when preparing for the first arrival of horses, grooms, staff and OMG..they are...

Del Mar, Calif. - The 2016 US Junior Hunter National Championship West Coast came to a close on Tuesday, following two days of competition at the Del Mar Horse Park. Nearly 70 of the country’s top junior hunters headed to the championship to complete three phases in front of the judging panel of Michael Page, Bobbie Reber, and Jim Zulia over Joe Lombardo-designed Classic Round and Handy Round courses, which both counted for 40% of the overall score. The final 20% was earned in...

In the lead-up to the 2016 SVAG FEI World Reining Championships, the United States Equestrian Federation will feature a four-part series that highlights the athletes, horses, and their owners that make up the U.S. Team. Before Troy Heikes and Denise Bixler met, both were at entirely different places in their reining lives. Heikes wanted to cut back, being selective of his clientele. Bixler was losing enthusiasm and love for the sport. Troy Heikes and RSD One Hot Deal competing in the $25,000...

Michael Hughes and Sans Soucis Z on their way to a $75,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix win. (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - The $75,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix served as the grand finale of HITS-on-the-Hudson II, closing out the weekend with an exciting opportunity for riders to snag a piece of the week’s largest prize purse. Michael Hughes of Allendale, New Jersey, and Sans Soucis Z, owned by Caroline Lloyd, proved to be the team to beat. HITS has witnessed Hughes develop from...

Harold Chopping and Basje on their way to a $25,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix win. (ESI Photography) Culpeper, Va. - Harold Chopping, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, made a statement to kick-off the HITS Culpeper Summer Series, finishing first and second in the $25,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix held on Friday. Chopping claimed the blue with Basje, owned by Kendra Bullington, and finished a close second with Contefino 6, owned by Caroline Russell Howe. Five returned for the jump-off in...

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy win the $30,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the 71st Pin Oak Charity Horse Show. Owner of Miss Lucy, Helen Lenahan, was onsite to watch the two-round event and accept the award. (Tricia Booker Photography) Houston, Texas - The 71st Pin Oak Charity Horse Show presented by Irish Day Farms finished up its two-week series as it drew to a close on Sunday, April 3. Foremost hunter rider and trainer for SBS Farms, Jennifer Alfano, continued to dominate the show...

Wellington, Fla. – Another day of brilliant performances assured The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team the win in the 2016 Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. On Wednesday, the U.S. team of Shelly Francis, Laura Graves, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Arlene “Tuny” Page came out strong, all placing in the top six in the FEI Grand Prix test on day one of team competition. In today’s team finale, the FEI Grand Prix Special test, the team, led by...

Wellington, Fla. – Another day of brilliant performances assured The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team the win in the 2016 Stillpoint Farm FEI Nations Cup at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. On Wednesday, the U.S. The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team (SusanJStickle.com) team of Shelly Francis, Laura Graves, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Arlene “Tuny” Page came out strong, all placing in the top six in the FEI Grand Prix test on day one of team competition. In today’s team...

Adam Prudent and Vasco won the $35,000 Sovaro 1.50m Jumper CSI 3* event (Pics of You) Ocala, Fla. - France's Adam Prudent got off to a hot start on a cool day Friday, in the heart of Thoroughbred country he won the Daily Double by sweeping the first two show jumping classes at the 25th annual Live Oak International. Prudent, with Vasco, took the lead early in the $35,000 Sovaro 1.50m Jumper CSI 3* event with a time of 60.24 seconds. No one was able to come near his time in the Longines FEI...

Lexington, Ky. – Bruce “Buck” Davidson Jr. made it look easy in the dressage ring today. He dazzled the judges to land three of his four entered horses in the top three to begin the USEF National One-Star Eventing Championship for the Richard Collins Trophy at the Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day & Team Challenge. He and Legion Kat topped the leaderboard with a score of 37.50. With a score of 38.30, Sydney Hagaman and Diablo Tejano have the early lead for the USEF National...