Photo by Robbi Meisel (Catherine Rinehart and Primera) While Hollywood may be buzzing about Oscar nominees’ skills on the big screen, the fourth week of the 2010 Gulf Coast Winter was dedicated to honoring the talent and elegance of show hunters with two big events held at the Harrison County Equestrian grounds. Friday morning began with the $10,000 Chronicle of Horse /United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby presented by Dietrich Insurance. It all started with...

Courtesy NRHA/Waltenberry (Austria’s Rudi Kronsteiner and Smart Spook) Oklahoma City, OK - The world of reining converged in Oklahoma City on Thursday, December 3, at the FEI World Reining Masters where 20 top riders from 18 nations competed on 20 world-class reining horses for one night of high-caliber competition. From the snow-capped peaks of Switzerland to the rain forests of Brazil, riders from across the globe came on a quest for international glory. The event was held during the 2009...

Classic Company President Bob Bell is feeling pretty special thanks to the kind folks of the Georgia International Horse Park, City Manager Tony Lucas, and Randal Mills, the Mayor of Conyers, who proclaimed Friday, November 7 as “Bob Bell Day” in the city of Conyers. The proclamation was an expression of appreciation to The Classic Company for 15 years of quality hunter/jumper events held at the former Olympic venue. Mayor Mills shared how Classic Company was the first major equestrian event to...

George Morris Imparts Wisdom at the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Final (Shannon Brinkman) Lexington, KY – Their names are synonymous with excellence in their respective disciplines and the United States Equestrian Federation has honored two legends for their commitment to coaching and developing Equestrian Sport. George Morris is one of the most accomplished coaches in the world. He has coached back-to-back Olympic Gold medal teams and consistently guides the US show jumping program to...

Three regional qualifying competitions were recently held for the 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championships. They were the last Regionals held, and the final list of qualifiers is now available (please see below). The 2009 ASPCA Maclay National Championship will be held at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament on October 28-November 1, 2009. Zazou Hoffman was the winner of the Region 1 qualifier at the Grand Fall Classic in Westbrook, CT. Hoffman finished second at Regionals last year...

Connaught is Back to Defend his Title (Mike McNally ) Lexington, KY – The 12th Rolex/USEF National CCI**** Eventing Championship got underway Wednesday, April 22 with the first horse inspection at the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. Fifty-one horses were presented before the Ground Jury of David Lee, Nicoli Fife and Marilyn Payne. Dr. Catherine Kohn is serving as the Veterinary Delegate for the 2009 competition. Of those 52, two of which were held for a second look by the Ground...

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet (Shannon Brinkman) Hong Kong, China – Becky Holder cashed in on a lifetime of preparation today when she cantered down the centerline of the dressage ring of her first Olympic Games. She put in a fantastic effort to lead the US Eventing Team to a second place finish after three riders. The US Team finished on a score of 121.50 behind the Australians who were on fire with a three rider total of 102.8. Riding the 13-year-old Thoroughbred Courageous Comet...

Gina Miles and McKinlaigh (Shannon Brinkman) Hong Kong, China – Becky Holder cashed in on a lifetime of preparation today when she cantered down the centerline of the dressage ring of her first Olympic Games. She put in a fantastic effort to lead the US Eventing Team to a second place finish after three riders.The US Team finished on a score of 121.50 behind the Australians who were on fire with a three rider total of 102.8. Riding the 13-year-old Thoroughbred Courageous Comet (whom she...

Laura Kraut and Cedric Head to Hong Kong (KennethKraus/PhelpsSports.com) By Joanie Morris Lexington, KY - Pending the approval of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), the USEF has recommended the following horse/rider combinations for the US Olympic Team in show jumping for the 2008 Olympic Games, to be held in Hong Kong, China, August 15-21, 2008. Name/Age/Hometown/Horse/Age/Breed/Sex/Owner Beezie Madden/45/Cazenovia, NY/Authentic/13/KWPN/Gelding/Abigail Wexner McLain Ward/33/Brewster,...

Lexington, KY - The only three-time winner of the CCI**** at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, eventing legend Winsome Adante will grace the Sheila C. Johnson Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington one final time. He will be honored by the Rolex Kentucky organizer Equestrian Events, Inc., and his fans in an official retirement ceremony at the 2008 event on Sunday, April 27. Owned by Plain Dealing Farm in Scottsville, VA, and ridden by Kim Severson, Winsome Adante is the only horse to...