Boyd Martin and Shamwari 4 (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Le Pin-au-Haras, France – The heart of the eventing discipline was on display Saturday at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with the cross country phase taking center stage at Le Pin National Stud in Le Pin-au-Haras, France. The FEI World Team and Individual Eventing Championship saw 87 combinations set out on a world championship-caliber 5,982m, 33-obstacle cross country course designed by Pierre Michelet (FRA). Due to wet...

Kevin Babington and family watch the Carling King tribute. (Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports) Halifax, Mass. - As the 2014 Silver Oak Jumper Tournament drew to a close on the final Sunday, Irish rider Kevin Babington celebrated one of the most special days in what has been a long and highly decorated career. First, during the pre-game ceremonies, his great mount Carling King, who recently passed away, was honored with a wonderful video production on the big video screen ringside. Put together by Jeff...

Aachen, Germany - A strong group of U.S. vaulters have traveled to Germany to represent their country at the prestigious CHIO Aachen. With the World Equestrian Festival running from July 11-20, the CVIO3* takes place July 11-13 in the Albert-Vahle-Arena in Aachen, Germany. Kristian Roberts and Colton Palmer will compete in the Individual Male competition, with Mary McCormick, Mary Garrett, and Elizabeth Ioannou representing the U.S. in the Individual Female division. Sisters Cassidy and...

Rome, Italy - Kent Farrington, the only American rider at Piazza di Siena this year, galloped to victory with Blue Angel in the Premio MAG-JLT Small Grand Prix this afternoon and now has his sights firmly set on securing the new D’Inzeo Brothers Trophy tomorrow afternoon. Uliano Vezzani’s track produced only eight first-round clears from a starting field of 63, partly due to a very tight time-allowed of 78 seconds. The jump-off line-up was world-class however, led by Germany’s...

John French and Comex Gold lead the West Coast in the $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge (Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, Calif. - The West Coast came out on top this year as they swept the top five spots in the $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge. John French of Woodside, California was the inevitable winner when he piloted Comex Gold to scores of 90 and 94 for amateur rider Lee Kellogg Sadrian. “Comex Gold is a great, quiet, beautiful mover and he actually goes better for...

The Palmer Sisters will be one of four pas-de-deux at the FEI World Cup Final in Bordeaux (Kate Revell/VaultingPhotos.com) Lexington, Ky. - The FEI World Cup Vaulting qualifying season ended on Sunday and U.S. pas de deux vaulters Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) have qualified for the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final in Bordeaux, France. Only the four best pas de deux pairs from qualifying go to the FEI World Cup Vaulting Final (six qualify in the male and female individual...

Valkenswaard, Germany - CSI Valkenswaard has been kind to U.S. riders over the last two days. Eight classes have seen Americans atop the leaderboard and they've been near the top in others. Below is a quick breakdown of CSI2* and CSI1* classes with links to full results. CSI1* Friday Alexandra Crown started things well for the U.S contingent with a win in the Special Invitational against the clock. She and her own Quadrant finished first, Alexandra Cherubini and Lovelite LLC's Equifit...

Aachen, Germany - The U.S. Dressage Team emphatically marked their resurgence with a podium finish in Wednesday’s Lambertz FEI Nations Cup at the Aachen CDIO5*. The U.S. Team of Steffen Peters, Tina Konyot, Jan Ebeling and Shelly Francis earned a third place finish on a team total of 217.298. The U.S. Team (Shannon Brinkman) “Our Nations Cup riders came here for a medal and they did not disappoint. Each of them showed why they are among the best in the world,” said Chef...

Lillie Keenan and Pumped Up Kicks jump their way to a win in the $125,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties over the weekend (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY – Lillie Keenan and Pumped Up Kicks were pumped up just enough Sunday afternoon to win the $125,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. The 15-year-old rider and Chansonette Farm, LLC’s Pumped Up Kicks closed out three weeks of spring shows at HITS-on-the-Hudson...

Christine McCrea and Avenir on their way to a two-for-two weekend at HITS Saugerties. (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY – Christine McCrea finished the first week of spring competition at HITS Saugerties with a hot hand. After piloting Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables’ Avenir to the blue in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, McCrea rose to the occasion again for Sunday’s $50,000 EMO Grand Prix and cashed another winner’s check....