Lucy Davis and Nemo. (Flying Horse Photography.) Thermal, CA - The 20th Anniversary of the HITS Desert Circuit was a success from start to finish, with beautiful weather, great competition and record entries for the first time since 2007. The fifth season at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA, was a world-class show jumping experience for trainers, owners, riders and spectators, alike. All four of the FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix took place before sold-out VIP and general...

Ellen Toon and Invincible. (ESI Photography© .) Saugerties, NY - For the first time in the history of the HITS Winter Circuits in Ocala, FL; Tucson, AZ; and Thermal, CA, three extraordinary Hunter events took place at nearly the same time on Saturday night and awarded $40,000 in prize money from coast to coast. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix, a two-round Hunter classic, was by far one of the most exciting classes on the schedule this winter and the ticket for riders looking to earn their way to the...

Ceci Butler-Stasiuk (GenieSS, Inc) Lexington, KY - Endurance athlete Ceci Butler-Stasiuk has been named this year's recipient of the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Trophy, sponsored by Gold Medal Farm and Larry and Valerie Kanavy.This award is given to the endurance athlete who earns the most points in selected Ranking Trials during the ride year. Butler-Stasiuk (Humble, TX) and DJB Cytron Kon JMF, owned by her mother Darolyn Butler, won the Florida Horse Park CEI3* 160km ride in January and...

Courtesy of the IALHA Ft. Worth, TX - The 2010 Show Committee is pleased to announce the following slate of judges for the 2010 National show, Oct 12-17 in Ft. Worth. Dressage and Sport Horse in Hand classes will open the show Tuesday, Oct 12. You do not have to qualify for Sport Horse in Hand classes and qualification for dressage classes is achieved by showing in a USDF show and achieving a score of 58 or better. Dr. Hoff-Carmona will officiate, bringing an impressive set of credentials to...

Shawn Flarida and RC Fancy Step (K.C. Johnson Photo) Dressage In the CDI3* which took place in scenic Vierzon, France, Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Nartan scored a 67.574% for a second place finish in the Grand Prix. Kenneth Dyrby finished fourth with Rholex and seventh with Nanette. In the Grand Prix Special, Bateson-Chandler was fourth and Dyrby was fifth with Rholex. Dyrby rode Nanette in the CDI3* Grand Prix Freestyle and was second. For complete results please click here . Catherine...

Photo by Flying Horse Photography (Martel and Jenny Karazissis.) The hunters were stellar on a surprisingly cool Saturday in San Juan Capistrano. Forty-one competitors galloped around the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby course with 14 returning for the Handy Round. Jenny Karazissis piloted Martel (Star Lane Farms, owner) with poise, winning both rounds for the top prize. The first round included 11 efforts, with four 4’ options. The course flowed smoothly, not too many trouble spots,...

With great sadness, Mo and Jim Swanson of Rolling Stone Farm announce the passing of a World Champion dressage legend on August 11, 2009. The Hanoverian stallion Welcome S (World Cup I-Grebina/Grande) was euthanized in August 2009, due to infirmities of age. He was 22 years old. Welcome was owned by Jan van der Kamp and was managed by his daughter, Patricia Stemerdink of Dekstation de Havikerwaard in De Steeg, The Netherlands. The Swanson’s leased Welcome for breeding after a chance meeting in...

Lexington, KY - The jump-off of the 285,000 Euro Grand Prix Global Champions Tour in Monaco was nothing short of spectacular. Four of the world’s finest riders made it through after two exciting rounds of competition. Richard Spooner represented the US, John Whitaker for Great Britain, and Rodrigo Pessoa and Alvaro de Miranda for Brazil. Spooner and his 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Cristallo went into the ring first and flew around the course clear in 35.46 seconds. Pessoa and Let’s Fly, who...

Balmullo’s Azalea (Concord River Roaringwater Bay x Courtney’s April Frolic, by Custusha’s Cashel Rock), shown as Ooh La La and ridden by young rider and new owner Sara Powell of Lexington, KY, qualified for the 2009 USEF Pony Finals at their first "A" rated show together. The pair were champions, winning all over fences classes as well as the conformation class, in the large pony division at the USEF "A" rated Lakeside Arena Winter Series show. Powell, who is 15, and Ooh La La are currently...

Diana DeRosa (Lauren Hough and Casadora lead the American effort after Day One of show jumping.) Rio de Janeiro—Some 47 Pan American Games show jumpers entered the arena at Deodoro Stadium outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday morning to begin the first of two days of team competition. Leading the way for Team USA was rider Lauren Hough aboard Casadora. The last of the four to go was Todd Minikus and Pavarotti. Team USA ended the day in a surprising overall fourth place after the...