A competitor on course in the Purina Mills Horseless Horseshow. (Photo by Sarah Owen.) Ocala, FL - The annual Purina Mills Weekend, which featured exciting classes, a $50,000 Purina Mills-sponsored Grand Prix, and a series of special events, wrapped up the fifth week of AA-rated competition at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Another round of beautiful weather provided picture-perfect conditions, and exhibitors were out in force to take advantage of an action-packed schedule, with several key...

Andre Thieme and Coco 135. (ESI Photography©.) OCALA, FL - On a perfectly beautiful afternoon at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL, German show-jumping icon Andre Thieme riding Seth Vallhonrat's Coco 135 captured the victory in Sunday's $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to close out the Ocala Finals. Thieme's win marked the first time this season that a rider captured more than one victory in a Sunday Grand Prix, his first being aboard his own Cesar three weeks...

Lucy Davis and Old Oak Farm's Hannah. (Flying Horse Photography©.) Thermal, CA — Horsepower Weekend at the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, CA, shifted into high gear when Lucy Davis rode Old Oak Farm’s Hannah to the top placing in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. It was a perfect Friday afternoon of show jumping in the majestic Strongid C 2X Stadium. Under bright blue skies, while nearly five dozen horses tested the course, the berm surrounding the Oasis VIP...

Grand Prix Ring at Horse Shows by the Bay. (Photo courtesy Horse Shows by the Bay.) Traverse City, MI - Flintfields Horse Park, home of the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival, is pleased to report that plans are well underway for the new footing that is being installed this spring in the main competition arenas and warm ups. Footing that stays safe and consistent throughout the course of the competition, no matter the weather, is very important to management and Flintfields Horse Park...

Wellington, FL - Last week's Dressage Under the Stars was a crowd favorite, as four former dressage young riders competed to fantastic popular music in exciting dress. Riders last week were Mica Mabragana from Argentina, Kasi Barteau who did a rendition of the Lion King, winner of the evening Jocelyn Wylese, and Mary Lauthorio who made her horse into a rocket ship in honor of the final NASA spaceship launch. Neil Hirsh, owner of the Player's Club which hosts the evening remarked "It was...

Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. (Phelps Media Group. ) Wellington, FL - Preparations are under way at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL, as the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach, the American leg of the world's premier dressage series, draws nearer. The Jim Brandon Center will welcome a group of the most successful international dressage riders and horses from North America and Europe on March 9-11, as they compete for 100,000 Euros in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach...

Hadji and Palmer-DuRoss. (Steven Bradley Photography.) Aurora, CO - Hadji Halef Omar (Centavo x ZA Sabbaths Joy), a 1992 grey gelding, owned by Stephanie Palmer-DuRoss of Queen Creek, AZ. has been named the 2010 AHA Distance Horse of the Year. The 10-year veteran of endurance competition has taken Palmer-DuRoss over 5,810 miles, a journey for which she is very grateful. “I am nominating Hadji for the Distance Horse of the Year Award in appreciation for all the beautiful places he has taken me...

Annville, PA - February 9, 2011 - As the mid-point in the 2011 North American League (NAL) draws closer, riders are doing all they can to earn valuable points in the Series' overall standings. As point tallies are increasing, so too are excitement levels as the NAL prepares to host its first ever dual year-end Finals. The NAL will maintain its traditional year-end Finals in six divisions - Children's Hunter, Adult Hunter, Children's Jumper, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper, and the Low...

Aurora, CO — The Arabian Horse Foundation has announced it received a $50,000 gift from the Barbara Wright Hutton Trust, the largest gift the non-profit entity has ever received since re-launching in 2007. The $50,000 gift was directed to horse rescue and rehoming and to equine research. “This gift speaks volumes for the message it conveys and represents an investment in the future of the Foundation,” said AHF President Larry Kinneer. “It is a clear indication of a family’s belief and trust in...

Aurora, OH - Riders4Helmets, the helmet awareness campaign founded by Jeri Bryant and equine health product SUCCEED Digestive Conditioning Program, will be hosting a “by invitation only” Helmet Safety Symposium. The event will take place January 8, 2011, at the White Horse Tavern, Wellington, FL, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The symposium is sponsored by Troxel Helmets, Charles Owen Helmets, Tipperary Helmets and Samshield Helmets. The Helmet Safety Symposium has been organized to bring together...