Though the mantra of the day seemed to be "rain, rain, go away," eventers proved once again that they were more than fair-weather fans. The horses were beautifully turned out, rid of the manure stains they incurred overnight, and the crowd was bubbly in spirit. The day started out with the in hand portion for the four- and five-year-olds competing in the United States Eventing Association (USEA)/Spalding Labs Young Event Horse (YEH) Competition. The handlers were told by judge Charles Musco to...

McLain Ward and Miss Liberty 7 Wind Their Way to The Winners Circle McLain Ward showed the crowd that he deserves his many accolades, as he piloted Miss Liberty 7 to a perfectly planned and executed round to win the $10,000 Gem Twist Sprint Gambler's Choice at the 64th Pennsylvania National Horse Show. The Gambler's Choice competition is very different from the standard style of classes offered at horse shows. In the Gambler's Choice, the course designer places fences around the...

The Morgan breed's largest horse show has begun. The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show is held in Oklahoma City, OK, and already some athletes have taken world championships in their respective divisions. If you weren't able to make it to Oklahoma this year, have no fear. You can still see all of the action ringside by going to www.morgangrandnational.com and order your live, streaming video. You can also read all of the results posted on www.gaitkeeper.com at the end of...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and DressageTrainingOnline.com (DTO) are pleased to announce that they have now expanded their partnership to allow USDF members to earn USDF University Program Credit through the DTO site. By working together, USDF and DTO hope to provide dressage education to a broader audience and recognize those individuals who continue to expand their dressage knowledge. Any USDF member, who is a current member of or joins DTO, is eligible to earn USDF...

It is with great sadness that the United States Equestrian Federation reports that former Olympic mount and dressage horse Mythilus was humanely euthanized Friday, October 9, as a result of complications discovered during a colic surgery. The 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was the former partner of Olympian Courtney King-Dye. In June 2008, King-Dye finished in third place at 2008 Olympic Dressage Trials with Mythilus, securing the pair’s trip to compete in Hong Kong. “He began to colic...

Regardless of their breed preference, riding style or location, equine enthusiasts can find happy trails with help from a new course by My Horse University and Source Interlink Media’s Equine Network. From selecting a trail horse to preserving the trail, “Trail Riding 101” offers expert advice on every aspect of this international pastime. Developed by equine experts at Michigan State University (MSU) and other major universities, “Trail Riding 101” takes participants through the process of...

Lexington, KY – The Kentucky Cup Endurance Test Event for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will bring Athletes from around the World to the Kentucky Horse Park October 14, 2009. Along with the Test Event, the USEF is hosting the North American Endurance Team Challenge (NAETC). The NAETC features riders from five US Zones and two Canadian Zones competing against each other. Thirty US Athletes and 12 Canadian Athletes will compete along with Athletes from more than 20 other...

With the stars aligned in his favor, Smart Starbuck was destined to become an National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Million Dollar Sire. Paired with Million Dollar Rider Tom McCutcheon, he has over $60,000 garnered in the NRHA show pen. The 1995 sorrel stallion is owned by McCutcheon and his wife Mandy, NRHA’s only Non Pro Million Dollar Rider, as well as the only woman to achieve the distinction. Smart Starbuck is by Million Dollar Sire Grays Starlight and out of the Smart Little Lena...

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Board of Directors voted to induct two people, Jack Brainard and John Hoyt, and two horses, Nu Chex To Cash and Rest Stop, in 2010 into the NRHA Hall of Fame, as well as awarding the NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award to C. R. Morrison. NRHA Hall of Fame Inductees Jack Brainard Jack Brainard attended the NRHA Foundation meeting and served as a director that first year. His NRHA membership number, 19, is indicative of just how long...

Kona Gold, winner of the 2000 Eclipse Award for Sprinter of the Year was humanely euthanized at the Kentucky Horse Park on the morning of September 29 after suffering a severe fracture to his left front leg while exercising in his paddock. He was 15-years-old. Within minutes of the accident, he was taken to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute for evaluation where it was determined by the surgical staff that his injury was beyond repair. The unanimous decision to euthanize was made by the surgeons,...