So we got the competition started yesterday. Literally. Boyd was first in on Otis Barbotiere and did a great job with the French phenom. Still green, Otis tried his heart out and coped remarkably well with the atmosphere. Unfortunately the judges weren't all quite on the same page yet, as the caffeine in the coffee was seemingly NOT evenly distributed. There was a 7 point spread in his scores which in the sport of reining, for instan ce, would be cause for an audit.We got over that, but it...

Maria Takacs and Dominus lead the way in the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter Division at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - July 27, 2012 - It was a moist morning as the Stonlea Arena awoke from a stormy night to the Amateur-Owner competitors ready to show off their dime piece horses in over fences this morning starting at 8am. The first division for the day was the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, where Caruso and Kelli Sherrill took the blue ribbon in the first...

Day One at the 2012 Olympic Games It’s been crazy as I landed from one fire (NAJYRC) into another - trying to get my brain to switch over and into Games mode. So far it has been great. Considering it started by me flying from Lexington to Chicago to Boston to Washington, DC to London in one day. It’s a complicated story without a really logical explanation but ground stops in Chicago = desperate. The UNITED staff couldn’t have been more accommodating and they worked it out...

Coco Fath and Red Robin won the Grand Pony Hunter Championship at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series (AnLi Kelly-Durham/PMG) Devon, PA - The Pony Hunter competitors were glad to see an end to the heat wave as they took center stage in the Gold Ring today at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS). The Large Pony Hunter Champion award went Barbara Ann Merryman and For the Love. Daisy Farish took home division championship honors with Sassafras...

Jaclyn Pepper is on of four young riders selected for the 2012 Olympic Dream Program(Laura Price) Lincoln, NE –Four young riders have been selected for the 2012 Olympic Dream Program that annually sends young riders to Europe for an intensive 10-day dressage experience. The program is administered and funded annually by The Dressage Foundation (TDF). An independent selection committee, after reviewing dozens of applications, chose Nicole DelGiorno (NJ), Catherine Chamberlain (AZ), Jaclyn...

Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger (SusanJStickle.com) Gladstone, NJ - The 2012 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships held in conjunction with the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials came down to the slimmest of margins this afternoon as riders performed their Freestyle tests at the Pine Meadow location of the USET Foundation. Heading to the final test of the championships only a few marks separated the top three riders and the remaining 20% of the final score would be...

Reed Kessler and Onisha won the 1.40m Open Jumper Power and Speed at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington, KY - It was a great day for the team from Plain Bay Farm as student Reed Kessler won the 1.40m Open Jumper class, and trainer Katie Prudent placed second, as well as claiming her own victory in the 1.35m Open Jumpers. In the 1.40m Power and Speed event at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, Kessler piloted her talented mount Onisha to the blue ribbon prize with quick...

Alma Perkins & Charisma It was a day to remember in Benton, Louisiana, as Alma Perkins became the 100th member of The Dressage Foundation's Century Club on May 5, 2012. The journey to this special milestone began in 1996, when noted dressage judge and instructor, Dr. Max Gahwyler, suggested that The Dressage Foundation create a program to encourage older dressage riders to remain active in the sport. It was decided that to become a member of the Century Club, the ages of the horse and...

Ruth Carlson, chair of the FEI Endurance Committee; Ian Williams, FEI Director, Non-Olympic Sports; Brian Sheehan, FEI Endurance Committee member, at today’s Round Table. (Edouard Curchod/FEI) Lausanne, SUI - The Endurance Round Table session, which shared the final morning of the FEI Sports Forum with the Eventing Round Table, attracted representatives of National Federations (NFs) and veterinarians for discussion on proposed rule changes that will be presented to the FEI General Assembly 2012...

FEI President, HRH Princess Haya (Photo by Edouard Churchod/FEI) Lusanne, SUI - FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, announced today that the Saudi Equestrian Fund will finance the revitalisation of the FEI Nations Cup™ series. Announcing the agreement at the opening of the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne (SUI) today, Princess Haya informed delegates that the Saudi Equestrian Fund will provide full financial support for the 2012 series and has also agreed to a five-year title sponsorship...