Heather Blitz and Paragon (Susan J. Stickle) Wellington, FL - The last rider to enter the ring, Heather Blitz, rode Paragon to a score of 75.350% to win the Grand Prix Freestyle at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI***, presented by the Chesapeake Dressage Institute, held March 15-18 at the Global Dressage Festival (GDF)Stadium show grounds in Wellington, FL. Blitz had a rough day leading up to her win. With her four year old, she memorized the 4 year old FEI test, not the USEF 4 year...

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Cantano (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The $32,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic was held under the lights on Saturday night at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center with a win for Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Cantano. Twenty-six entries showed over a challenging course set by Michel Vaillancourt of Aiken, SC, and the pair completed the only clear round for the win. With just one faultless round, no jump-off was necessary....

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America held its 2012 Annual General Meeting over the weekend of February 24-26, 2012 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Society members from across the United States enjoyed wonderful accommodations and excellent service at the Embassy Suites in this beautiful area. A packed-full agenda began on Thursday of that week and included such events as Society Board, business and committee meetings, informative clinics for all ages, award banquets and presentations, a field...

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy (Hunter Messineo) Ocala, FL - It was an incredible night for the 2012 $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the HITS VI Ocala Winter Finals. Spectators gathered together as the anticipation continued to rise, waiting to see who would take home the victory. In the end, it was SBS Farms' Jennifer Alfano who executed brilliant rides throughout the two-round event, rising to the top of the leaderboard with four horses. She and her veteran mount Jersey Boy...

Lynne Poole (CAN Grade IV) and Frisbee (Lindsay McCall) Del Mar, CA -Para-Equestrian Dressage riders concluded the 2012 Rancho Valencia CPEDI3* on Sunday performing their Freestyle routines. With the pressure of earning a qualifying score for the 2012 London Paralympics Selection Trials behind them, riders were able to relax and enjoy their final competition day at the Del Mar Horse Park. Topping the Grade IV Freestyle competition was Lynne Poole (CAN) and her Welsh Cob Frisbee with a 66.167%....

Scott Brash and Sanctos van het Gravenhof (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Great Britain's Scott Brash guided Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof to victory in Saturday night's $200,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI 4* presented by The Bainbridge Companies at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). In a suspenseful jump-off, Brash beat out Richard Spooner (USA) and Cristallo, and Kent Farrington (USA) and Voyeur, who finished second and third. Sponsored by the Bainbridge Companies,...

International Show Jumper Henrik Gundersen won the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award during the fifth week of the 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. (JRPR) Wellington, FL - Danish International Grand Prix Show Jumper Henrik Gundersen is well known for his success in the jumper world, but now he will also be known for his great level of sportsmanship thanks to winning the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award during the fifth week of the 2012 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Gundersen is...

Steffen Peters won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the Burbank CDI-W/Y/J, showing why "Legolas" could be his next superstar. (Jennifer M. Keeler) Burbank, CA - Riders who dream of a chance to stand on the Olympic medal podium began their quests at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI-W/Y/J in Burbank, CA, February 23 - 26, 2012. As the first official West Coast qualifying competition for the 2012 Olympic Games Dressage Team Selection Trials, horses and riders vied for valuable qualifying...

Todd Flettrich and Otto (Susan J. Stickle) Wellington, FL - Todd Flettrich of Wellington, FL won the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special at the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the United States P.R.E. Association, on Sunday. Riding Otto, his 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG) partner, Flettrich scored 71.422%. Ashley Holzer of Canada finished second on Breaking Dawn with 70.800% and Heather Blitz came in third on Paragon by a fraction of a percent less scoring 70.756% Flettrich...

Likely V and Nina Zollo Top Smartpak's Low Hunter 2'6 Division Kent Farrington and Uceko (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - It was a great afternoon for grand prix riders Kent Farrington (USA) and Richie Moloney (IRL) at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) as each took home the top share of prize money in a split class for round five of the WEF Challenge Cup Series. Held in a 'California Split', the class awarded two sets of placings, each with $32,000 distributed...