Sportfot/GCT Richard Spooner of the United States of America scorched to victory in blazing sunshine at the immaculate GCT show ground in the Netherlands. The Californian, dubbed the ‘Master of Faster’ was clearly in fiercely competitive mood from the start of the 12 fence CSI 5* start class - the curtain raiser to the 9th Grand Prix of the GCT 2012 season. Richard was true to his talent for finding the fastest route round the track and shaving off crucial seconds. Riding the 11...

Lauren Hough & Ohlala (Sportfot/GCT) Early Friday in Valkenswaard and the first opportunity to see show jumping’s elite riders as they build up to tomorrow’s VDL Groep Grand Prix. USA rider Lauren Hough set off at a cracking pace on Ohlala round the beautiful main grass arena and held onto her clear round lead in a time of 60.55. Lauren, from New York, is currently in 17th place in the GCT 2012 ranking. She had no trouble with the course designed by Uliano Vezzani and jumped a...

Lexington, KY- The U.S. will be represented by two horses this week at the FEI World Dressage Championships for Young Horses held August 1-5, 2012 in Verden, Germany. Sanceo, ridden by Sabine Schut-Kery, and Florentinus V, ridden by Jennifer Hoffman, will both compete in the six-year-old championship. Both horses were deemed sound and fit to compete at today’s Horse Inspection and begin competition Friday in the Prize of Mrs. Madeleine Winter—Schulze. Friday’s test will...

Darragh Kenny and Lipton De L’Othain won the $5,000 Open Jumper 1.40m class on Wednesday, August 1, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Week five of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival kicked off on Wednesday, August 1, with the Manchester & the Mountains Horse Show at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT. Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Lipton De L’Othain, owned by The Wannahave Group, were the winners in the highlight...

As the United States looks forward to the 2012 Paralympics for the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, the Para-Equestrian Driving Team will be preparing for the 2012 Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships, scheduled August 30-September 2, 2012 in Breda, The Netherlands. The 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Driving Team for the World Driving Championships include Diane Kastama, Grade 1, from Arroyo Grande, CA; Pam Johnson, Grade 2 from Pleasant Hill, MO; and Karen Gorham, Grade 2, of...

Leslie Howard et Lennox Lewis 2 Credit Normand St-Jacques Bromont - American rider Leslie Howard, who won the first FEI Open Jumper 1m50 this week, presented by the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, enjoys victory again in the Desjardins Speed Derby, winning with a comfortable six-second margin. A high-energy course The Speed Derby's course, built in two rings, added a challenge for the horses by using the walkway to cross over. Twenty-two horse/rider teams...

Bob Cooper, President Cement, Western Canada Lafarge presenting the winner’s trophy to Beezie Madden (USA) aboard Mademoiselle. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB - Families from all walks of life came out to Spruce Meadows on Friday to enjoy Presidents Choice Hot Dogs, Pepsi, and International-level sport on day three of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ Tournament. Although the Olympics aren’t on his mind, Kent Farrington (USA) continues to be a dominate...

Laura Kraut and Cedric won the 23'000 € 1.55 m Syndicaat van de Rotterdamse Havenbedrijven Prix at the Rotterdam CHIO. (Erin Cowgill) Rotterdam, Netherlands - June 22, 2012 - Laura Kraut and Cedric could not be stopped on Thursday, June 21, 2012, as they emerged the victors of the qualifying 23'000 € 1.55 m Syndicaat van de Rotterdamse Havenbedrijven Prix. The Concours Hippique International Officiel (CHIO) has seen some of the world's greatest competitors vie for the prestigious...

Gladstone, NJ - Pending the approval of the USEF High Performance Working Group and the USEF Executive Commitee, the FEI Nominated Entry for the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2012 Olympic Games is as follows. Athletes and horse are listed in ranked order based on the results from the 2012 USEF Selection Trials & Grand Prix National Championship: 1/3. Steffen Peters and Four Winds Farm's Legolas 92 AND Ravel* 2. Tina Konyot and her own Calecto V 4. Jan Ebeling and Ann Romney, Beth Meyers,...

Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger on their way to winning the Grade II Individual Test (SusanJStickle.com) Gladstone, NJ - The National Para-Equestrian Championships featuring the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials continued Tuesday with riders performing their Individual Tests. Riders braved the rain at the Pine Meadow location of the USET Foundation Headquarters to showcase their skills across five grades of competition. Following the second test of the National Championship...