Onira and Brianne Goutal. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington, D.C . - The 2012 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued on Thursday with the first day of classes for the Junior Hunters and several International Open Jumper and Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper classes at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. ? The course designer for the jumpers at WIHS this year is Anthony D’Ambrosio, of Red Hook, NY. The International Open Jumpers had two classes on Thursday, and Brianne Goutal,...

Lexington, KY- The Kentucky Classic CDE came to an exciting conclusion Sunday with the final cones phase. Additional accolades were on the line as competitors in the Pair and Ponies divisions vied for National Titles. The leaders following the marathon refused to yield, driving accurate final phases to clinch coveted USEF National Championships . USEF National Pairs Championship Jimmy Fairclough entered the cones phase with an 11 point lead over second placed competitor Misdee Wrigley-Miller....

Los Angeles, CA - The 2012 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West kicked off at the Los Angeles International Jumping Festival at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on September 20. The final consists of four phases: flat, gymnastics, jumping, and a work off. On Thursday, the thirty-three finalists competed in Phase 1 and were split into groups of five to six riders to compete on the flat. Riders were asked to demonstrate the usual flat movements, such as the counter...

Jonathan McCrea and Twisther take the 1.45m Speed Stake (Parker/Russell-The Book LLC) North Salem, NY - The spectacular Old Salem Farm was the backdrop for sensational show jumping action on the second day of The American Gold Cup in North Salem, NY. Forty-six riders took to the field in the warm afternoon sun for the Danbury Porsche Audi $10,000 1.45m Speed Stake held in the Grand Prix ring. Jonathan McCrea edged out the competion on Twisther with a time of 66.156. "You know, I think I'm...

Jennifer Alfano and Miss Lucy made a clean sweep of the High Performance Hunter division at the Buffalo International Horse Show. Not only did the pair capture the division's championship, but they were also awarded the Grand Hunter Championship for their efforts throughout the professional division.(Kendall Bierer/PMG) Buffalo, NY - It was the second day of the 66th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show, and the competition was fierce as the hunter action continued. Today marked the closing...

USA Team 2012 (Left to Right, top to bottom) Chef d'Equipe Missy Ransehousen, Jon Wentz, Rebecca Hart, Dale Dedrick and Donna Ponessa (Lindsay Yosay McCall) London, England - "It has been exciting to compete at the home of Para-Dressage," was the phrase echoed among athletes at the 2012 Paralympic Equestrian Games. It was Great Britain that developed Para-Dressage from the grass roots first and created an entire Para-Equestrian culture. It was Great Britain who aligned with their able-bodied...

London, England, United Kingdom - In London, there is always one conversational topic that a stranger can depend on to relieve an awkward situation, the weather. On Thursday August 30th, at the 2012 Paralympic Equestrian venue in Greenwich Park, the weather transitioned from rain, to wind, on to more rain, and brisk temperatures. As the opening day of the Para-Dressage Team Test competition transpired the weather became accommodating to some riders and unpleasant to others. Jonathan Wentz (USA)...

Greenwich, UK - The Para-Equestrian Dressage competition of the 2012 Paralympic Games kicked-off Thursday with Grade II and Grade 1b riders completing their Team Tests on a day that ran the gamut of English weather. The U.S. sent three representatives into the main arena with Rebecca Hart and Dr. Dale Dedrick competing during the Grade II morning session and Jonathan Wentz competing in afternoon Grade 1b competition. Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale (Shannon Brinkman) Riders for Great...

Grade 1b rider Jonathan Wentz talks about his Team Test Thursday afternoon; Jonathan Wentz (Richardson, TX) and Kai Handt's NTEC Richter Scale scored 70.364. Here are Jonathan's thoughts; On his test : “It was super; the accuracy was astounding. Richter was moving really forward; he loves this cold weather and rain. It’s good conditions for him. The walk tour was great and we will look to improve on that.” On his favorite part of the test: “The halts. Richter has...

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo win 2010 American Gold Cup. (Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports.com) North Salem, NY - When the American Gold Cup makes it much anticipated return this year at Old Salem Farm in North Salem NY, it will be a star-studded lineup of world-class show jumpers that will compete for the 2012 title. The show, now just a couple of weeks away, is scheduled for September 12th through the 16th, 2012, with the famed $200,000 American Gold Cup as the highlight event on the final...