To the Nines and Tracy Fenney earned top billing in the $5,000 WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge (Photo by Tricia Booker) Upper Marlboro, MD —Oct. 9, 2010 – When Tracy Fenney and To The Nines entered the ring for the $5,000 WCHR Handy Hunter Challenge, sponsored by Johnson Horse Transportation Inc., Fenney had a plan mapped out. Course designer Mike Rheinheimer had set a challenging course in the Prince George’s Equestrian Center Show Place Arena, which featured tight rollbacks, a trot jump, a...

Upper Marlboro, MD —Oct. 6, 2010 – John French and Small Affair made a big impression at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. With breathtaking efforts during the two-round $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge, the bay French-bred gelding soared to victory with a score of 182.99 for owners Iwasaki & Reilly. Although French has contested the class on many previous occasions—and placed second in 2009—this was the first time he claimed the WCHR Professional Challenge and the Little Book Trophy,...

Mario Deslauriers and Urico. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF.) Lexington, KY - The Jumping World Championships presented by Rolex at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games kicked off today with the speed competition. More than 120 horses would jump through Conrad Homfeld's beautifully designed course before the day was done. This first round of the jumping was the speed competition, so all the riders were aiming to have fast and clear rounds. Coming off a brilliant Team Gold medal win...

On my list of things I find to be riveting I usually would not rank watching dressage among the top, but in the last two days I have really gotten into it. I found myself glued to the monitors that had the live feed playing all day yesterday, watching intently and calculating scores trying to determine what teams were in medal contention. Over the two days of the team competition, it seemed as though each rider that went down centerline set a new standard of excellence. In any sporting event it...

Craig Schmersal and Mister Montana Nic (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - The Adequan U.S. Reining Team started off competition today for the United States athletes at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). Today's competition in the Reining World Championships presented by John Deere was part 1 and 2 of the Team Competition and the first round of the Individual Qualifying Competition. Tim McQuay of Tioga, TX, and Hollywoodstinseltown, owned by David and Bonnie...

McLain Ward and Sapphire on their way to the Pfizer Million winner's circle (© ESI Photography.) Saugerties, NY - Sunday’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix was an epic show jumping event that has sent waves of excitement throughout the world. When HITS announced its intentions to host a million dollar grand prix class as the finale to its 2010 show season, reactions ranged from excitement to disbelief since a purse of that size had never been offered before, especially in the United States. Fast...

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet (Joanie Morris/ USEF) Fairburn, GA – There were a variety of techniques for approaching the cross country course in the USEF Advanced Horse Trial Championship at the Land Rover/USEA American Eventing Championships. For many American and Canadian horses contesting the division, the greater goal is the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games which will take place in Lexington, KY September 25-October 10, 2010. But Becky Holder (Palmetto, GA) rode like a woman on a...

Arthur and Allison Springer (Emily Daily/USEA) Fairburn, GA – There is plenty at stake for the best riders in the United States this weekend at the Land Rover/USEA American Eventing Championships. Among the nearly 700 horses contesting the competition from Beginner Novice to Advanced, there are 38 American horses vying for the Jack LeGoff trophy for the USEF National Advanced Horse Trial Championship. Of those, 17 were vying for a spot on the Land Rover/US Eventing Team for the Alltech FEI...

SBS Farms' Jersey Boy and Jennifer Alfano in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby (Chicago H (Photos © 2010 Lindsay McCall/PMG) Buffalo, NY - August 31, 2010 - SBS Farm's talented chestnut gelding Jersey Boy and rider Jennifer Alfano defended their title at the second annual $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby (Chicago Hunter Derby) Presented by CN on Saturday, August 29, at Annali Farm in Antioch, IL. Winning the class for the second year in a row, Jersey Boy and Alfano finished...

Abigail Hopkins and One Hot Pepper (Photo Credit: Anne Gittins) Halifax, MA -August 29, 2010- The area's top equitation riders converged on the Fieldstone Equestrian & Show Facility in Halifax, MA, for the 2010 Massachusetts Hunter Jumper (MHJ) Finals. The MHJ Finals, which concluded the Fieldstone Summer Showcase, saw over 300 riders compete for top honors in the MHJ Short Stirrup Medal Final, MHJ-Mini Medal Final, MHJ Adult Mini-Medal Final, MHJ Children's Pony Medal Final, MHJ Children's...