Eduardo Menezes and Coupido Mercedes Benz jump to the top spot in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, the day before the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix takes the stage at HITS Thermal (Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, Calif. - Just six months ago, Coupido Mercedes Benz was showing in 1.30m classes, but he carried Eduardo Menezes to a win this weekend in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, topping a field of 34 to claim the blue. Menezes was pleased with the win...

Glory Days and Katie Dinan clear the Ace Bakery oxer (Ben Radvanyi) Toronto, On. – The phrase “We have a jump off!” is commonly heard around the horse show ring, but it’s rarely, if ever, heard following a speed class at a four-star international event. Friday night the ‘one-in-a-million’ happened. Veteran American rider Laura Kraut (Middleburg, VA) put in an incredible round in what, under normal circumstances would have been the first and only round of the...

As you know I occasionally receive a story from a Western Dressage rider and this week I would like to share with you the story behind a beautiful magazine cover photo that appeared recently in Paint Horse Journal and which featured coverage of Western Dressage. The photo was of Katrina Sanders and her Paint horse Pirate. Here is what Katrina shares with western dressage enthusiasts this week: “Thank you so much for offering to feature my photo in your blog! I am honored and so grateful...

Nick Maupin is a 19-year-old student at the University of Wisconsin majoring in Business Marketing and plans to graduate in 2015. From Sussex, Wisconsin, he is on the five-gaited section of the 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. It would not surprise any member of the Saddle Seat world to hear me say that the discipline is generally, along with Saddle Seat Equitation, a female dominated sport. Quite possibly the only time one will see a male majority in a class is in the Open divisions. Not...

Elizabeth Benson and San Remo VDL. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - The 4th Annual George Morris Excellence in Equitation Championships, presented by Artisan Farms, were held on Friday evening in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. A feature event for the junior riders at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, the class saw an exciting win for 16-year-old Elizabeth Benson of Whitehouse Station, NJ, trained by Stacia Madden of Beacon Hill Show Stables....

Wellington, FL - March 5, 2011 - The $35,000 Hermès Puissance was the highlight event on Saturday night, and it was an exciting show of power and scope. Pablo Barrios (VEN) was the winner after he cleared the 7'3" puissance wall with G&C Quivola, owned by Gustavo Mirabal. The FTI WEF's eighth week of competition, sponsored by G&C Farm, concludes on Sunday, March 6. The Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic will be held on Sunday followed by the $150,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty...

Rodrigo Pessoa and HH Ashley (Courtesy of the Washington International Horse Show) Oct. 28, 2010 –Brazilian show jumping superstar Rodrigo Pessoa blazed to wins in Thursday’s open jumper classes. Dressed as a Formula One race car driver, he and Palouchin de Ligny won the $20,000 Gambler's Choice Costume Class, and earlier, with HH Ashley, he won the $30,000 class. Plus Kristin Glover and Chase Boggio winners. $20,000 Gambler’s Choice Costume Class (Thursday Evening) The Gambler's Choice Costume...

The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) came to an end on Sunday, April 4, and Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is proud to congratulate all of the Circuit Champions for the 2010 season. ESP is also thrilled with the many accomplishments that were made throughout the 2010 season and look forward to continued improvements during the summer months to make the 2011 Winter Equestrian Festival an unparalleled equestrian destination. Throughout the 12 weeks of competition, almost $6 million...

Randi Muster (Leah Schwendeman and Gisele.) The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) had a great fifth week of competition on February 10-14. The week featured the $150,000 FEI World Cup, CSI*** presented by Spy Coast Farm, along with a full schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. The week five title sponsor was Spy Coast Farm. Along with their week five title sponsorship, Spy Coast Farm was the presenting sponsor of the $150,000 FEI World Cup, CSI*** on Saturday, February 13,...

Photo by Robbi Meisel (Aaron Vale and Platinum) The $25,000 Jacksonville A-Z Grand Prix sponsored by North Florida Hunter Jumper Association on January 30 closed out Week IV of competition with one of the most successful riders in show jumping, Aaron Vale, adding another win to his illustrious career. After a week of observation, course designer Allen Rheinheimer put all he learned about the starting field into a lengthy and technical 13 obstacle-16 effort test with a time allowance of 96 tight...