Mario Deslauriers and Victomte D. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - USA's Mario Deslauriers and Vicomte D were victorious in Thursday afternoon's $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 following a competitive class at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during international CSIO week at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). The FTI WEF's eighth week of competition, sponsored by G&C Farm, continues through Sunday, March 6. Friday will feature the $75,000 FEI Nations Cup...

Paul O'Shea and Daydream St. Ghyvan Z. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - The eighth week of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has begun, and this week is the CSIO "international" week of competition. The opening international class was the $5,000 CSIO Welcome Stake. Paul O'Shea of Ireland had the fastest speed round for victory with Daydream St. Ghyvan Z, owned by Harry Gill. The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival's eighth week of competition continues through Sunday, March 6. Week...

Hope Glynn and Sabrina Hellman's Woodstock. (Flying Horse Photography©.) Saugerties, NY - The Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final is the talk of the town this season and its key to qualifying, the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, continues to be one of the most popular offerings at the HITS Winter Circuits in Ocala, FL, Thermal, CA, and Tucson, AZ. Never before has a purse of this magnitude been offered for hunters, and never before have so many talented riders at all levels of their careers had the...

Natalya Jarczyk and Frivole Des Pres. (ESI Photography©.) Ocala, FL - The crowd was red hot on Saturday night at HITS Post Time Farm as Natalya Jarczyk and her own Frivole Des Pres captured the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic. Exhibitors, family and friends filled the stands and The Overlook VIP Club to support one of HITS Ocala's most coveted events. The $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic is one of the most anticipated events of the Ocala...

Lexington, VA - The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) Chapter 18 has announced that by popular demand, Ellen Beard will return as clinician and instructor for their annual Saddle Seat Riding Clinic at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. The clinic, set to take place March 11-12 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, will offer private or group lessons, and the option of bringing your own horse, or riding a horse provided by one of the chapter members. Driving...

Nancy Kempe and her new Isabel stallion Cupido Interagro accept a custom made saddle from Cary Walla (Photo courtesy of Darcy Scott.) Wellington, FL – Almost 300 guests were in attendance at the 2011 Lusitano CollectionTM International Horse Auction when dressage rider Nancy Kempe purchased her dream horse, a beautiful Lusitano Isabel stallion named Cupido Interagro, that she described as “the love of her life.” The four-year-old stallion with a sterling pedigree was the highest selling horse...

Wellington, FL - Competition at the seventh week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) has concluded at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, and another week of fantastic competition was held. The FTI WEF hosts the best that the sports of show jumping, hunters, and equitation have to offer in 12 rings of competition. In addition to competition, the FTI WEF hosts many exciting activities. McLain Ward and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve Triumph in $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2*...

California's Steffen Peters with his new star "Weltino's Magic". (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - Riders who dream of competing at the Pan American Games began their quest at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J in Burbank, CA, February 24-27, 2011. As the first official qualifying competition on the West Coast, horses and riders vied for scores in front of FEI judges Jayne Ayers ("I" USA), Natalie Lamping ("I" USA), and Lorraine MacDonald ("I" CAN). In addition, this competition...

McLain Ward and Pjotter van de Zonnehoeve. (Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - Saturday night at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival featured an exciting victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Pjotter Van De Zonnehoeve in the $78,000 Fidelity Investments® CSI 2* Grand Prix. The class was held on a beautiful Florida evening under the lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Riders representing 12 different countries made up the international field this evening, showing over a course...

Intermediaire I class sponsor LA Saddlery present the blue ribbon to owner Jen Hlavacek and rider St (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - For the second day in a row, Steffen Peters and "Weltino's Magic" wowed the judges at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J in Burbank, CA, the first Pan American Games qualifying competition of the year on the West Coast. Even as rain forced the Intermediaire I Test to be moved into the indoor Equidome, Peters and Jen Hlavacek's Westfalen gelding...