(Lexington, VA) – The Virginia Horse Center was host to the Virginia Horse Trials and CCI* during the Memorial Day weekend. Divisions ran from Intermediate to Beginner Novice, and Connemaras were evident in ribbon winners in many divisions on many levels. Dornin North, of Berryville, VA, rode Mitford, a half-bred gelding by Aladdin’s Denver out of a Thoroughbred mare, to win the dressage and go clean in stadium in the Open Preliminary Division, only to have the horse slip on cross country,...

Karen Healey Stables spent the holiday weekend at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center competing at the Memorial Day Classic Horse Show, held May 21-25, 2009. Healey's students showed in the hunter, jumper, and equitation divisions throughout the weekend and earned top placings in all three disciplines. The Memorial Day Classic had an exciting equitation team challenge over the weekend that provided a fun opportunity for each team, which was made up of one professional, one amateur, and one junior...

The Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Challenge Series Awards. Jennifer Huber, riding her own Al Pacino, claimed the Adult Amateur Grand Prix High Score Award with a 67.872%, as well as the overall Grand Prix/Grand Prix Special Award. These special prizes are awarded at each level to the horse/amateur rider combinations with the highest average score at both the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y and Dressage at Equestrian Estates horse shows....

Doug Payne, an acclaimed rider and board member of the Professional Riders Organization, won the Virginia Horse Trials CCI* this past weekend. His win included an impressive dressage score in the long format event that secured his victory. “I was thrilled with Running Order’s performance,” said Payne of the seven-year-old Irish gelding owned by Stone Hill Farm. “He is the ideal horse for the longer format, and I know he’ll continue to excel to the top of the sport.” Payne chose to compete in...

The 2008/2009 ASG Software Solutions/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby Qualifying Series was brought to a close this past weekend at the Devon Horse Show in Devon, PA, and the Memorial Day Classic in Burbank, CA. The 18-month series will culminate at the Hunter Derby Finals on August 21-22, 2009, at the Kentucky Horse Park. The top 75 horses based on earnings will be invited to Lexington to compete for an unprecedented $100,000 in prize money. Forty-five...

The Morgan Open High-Point Award is sponsored by the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) and is available to open equestrian competitions around the country. Currently more than 150 events will be offering the award to competitors exhibiting with a registered Morgan. Congratulations to Wayne Tolbert riding Windstorm Sienna (Funquest King Ofancy x Homestretch Brandie), who won high-score honors riding in the open heavyweight division at the Spanish Trial Competitive Trail Ride held on March...

Hilltop Farm is excited to report on the early show season successes of some of our stallions. Fielding (Fred Astair x Lessing, by Banter), a five-year-old stallion owned and bred by Autumn Hill Farm made his United States Equestrian Federation debut under Michael Bragdell on April 18-19 at the Virginia Dressage Association (VADA)/Nova Spring Dressage Show. The pair handily won all three of their first level tests with scores up to 68.571%. The young stallion displayed his excellent composure,...

Shelley Van den Neste of Sunrise Farms Sport Horses continues to find success in the show ring, recently visiting the winner’s circle at two North Florida dressage shows. Ezmarelde La Biladora, owned by Brooke Horan of Vertu Sport Horses in Park City, UT, and Van den Neste earned the high point in first level at Jacksonville’s Horse Shows in the Park. Van den Neste has long been a fan of the 16.1-hand bay mare with the long, graceful catlike walk and ground-covering trot. “Ezmarelde has the...

Photo by PhelpsPhotos.com (Rebecca Hart and Norteassa) Lexington, KY – Rebecca Hart has had quite an eventful year. In 2008, she won her first National Championship aboard Norteassa in May, 2008, and then the pair went on to Hong Kong to compete in the 2008 Paralympic Games and barely missed winning an Individual medal. This year, Hart bested 16 other riders to defend her title as 2009 Cavalor/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion. The...

As September 2010 and the opening of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY, steadily approach, the American Saddlebred Museum is preparing for the arrival of the world at its front door. The museum plans to showcase the American Saddlebred horse in worldclass fashion for this unprecedented opportunity. The intention is to send international guests home full of enthusiasm and excitement about this wonderful and versatile breed. Along with construction of a new wing and...