McLain Ward and Sapphire (Shannon Brinkman/USEF) Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Ad Hoc Committee on Selection has approved naming McLain Ward with both Antares F and Sapphire to the Show Jumping Long List for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Due to the fact that Ward will not be able to compete in the Selection Trials because of an injury he sustained in January 2012, the USEF Selectors in consultation with Chef d'Equipe George Morris and Team Veterinarian...

Steffen Peters won the Grand Prix Special at the Burbank CDI-W/Y/J and showed why "Legolas" could be his next superstar. (Jennifer M. Keeler) Burbank, CA - A curious crowd gathered to watch Steffen Peters and his potential new superstar "Legolas" passage to victory for the second day in a row at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI-W/Y/J in Burbank, CA, the first Olympic Games qualifying competition of the year on the West Coast. In the shortened Olympic Grand Prix Special Test, Peters and Four...

Lincoln, Neb. Major General Jonathan R. Burton, Chairman of The Dressage Foundation Board of Directors, proudly announces the opening of The Dressage Foundation’s Equestrian Fundraising School, offering lessons in fundraising and giving. “The School has been in the planning and development stage for the past two years, and its inaugural class of students began on January 3, 2012.” “The Dressage Foundation has a growing family of funds that awards grants and scholarships...

It’s a blissfully warm day in January, and my horse Nicolai is galloping alongside crashing surf as cars roll by. The passengers stare –wistful or shocked, I’m not sure – as we hop over piles of seaweed. This, I think, is the greatest thing I’ve ever done. The week before, Nicolai and I rode out among cattle. We chased calves along the creek and followed the ridge to a quiet spot above the barn. Usually, we are show jumpers, but sometimes we ride for miles along...

Wellington, FL - The inaugural event of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival (GDF) was a great success featuring the $50,000 Wellington Dressage CDI-W, presented by Magnolia Farm, and National Show, which took place February 2-5. The GDF continues with the Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W and National Show, presented by the United States PRE Association, February 16-19 at the newly constructed venue that extends the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds. Opening day of the...

Lili Hymowitz Sweeps the Gotham Small Pony Hunter Division with a Little "Bit of Love" Nougat du Vallet and Katie Dinan (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Eighteen-year-old Katie Dinan (USA) and Grant Road Partner's Nougat Du Vallet led the victory gallop in the $50,000 Horseware Ireland CSI 2* Grand Prix this afternoon at the 2012 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Running through April 1, 2012, the FTI WEF will award more than $6 million in prize money throughout its 12-week...

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The U.S. Eventing Team presented five horses at the First Horse Inspection of the 2011 Pan American Games and all were accepted without incident. The United States drew fourth position, but of the three countries drawn ahead only Venezuela has a complete team; therefore American Buck Davidson and Absolute Liberty will be the second horse in the ring in Friday’s dressage. All five horses looked sharp, and the Ground Jury of Wayne Quarles (USA), Janine Rohr (ARG)...

The U.S. Dressage Team's Gold medal never looked in doubt today at the 2011 Pan American Games. They started off confidently and with each ride, the margin improved. They stormed to victory and won their fourth consecutive Pan American Games Team Gold medal - a first in the sport of Dressage. Their combined average score of 74.421% left them well clear of the Canadians who won Silver with a combined average of 70.413%. Colombia put in a valiant late effort to surge into the top three with...

Just drifted off for my first nap-during-class. Sorry, ladies/kids/youth/Generation Why Should I….it wasn’t because you didn’t look pretty (you do), but you don’t have silver on your saddle and you don’t have Swarovski, so zzzzzzzzzzz. Wow, that little 5 minute pop felt good! Phew, I just thought that I lost one of my favorite earrings, but it turns out it was stuck in my hair. That’s what I get for doing the head-snap and falling asleep, haha! 1 Gracious...

OXFORD, PA - The Dansko Fair Hill International is right around the corner, marking the culmination of the Bit of Britain Jersey Fresh Fair Hill Challenge. Lisa Marie Fergusson has her sights set on claiming the $15,000 prize by competing in the CCI 3* aboard her teammate Smart Move. John Nunn, owner of Bit of Britain, wanted to create a challenge that really gives upper level competitors some incentive to compete at two outstanding events. He also thought a hefty cash prize would be a nice...