Sportfot/GCT Richard Spooner of the United States of America scorched to victory in blazing sunshine at the immaculate GCT show ground in the Netherlands. The Californian, dubbed the ‘Master of Faster’ was clearly in fiercely competitive mood from the start of the 12 fence CSI 5* start class - the curtain raiser to the 9th Grand Prix of the GCT 2012 season. Richard was true to his talent for finding the fastest route round the track and shaving off crucial seconds. Riding the 11...

Lauren Hough & Ohlala (Sportfot/GCT) Early Friday in Valkenswaard and the first opportunity to see show jumping’s elite riders as they build up to tomorrow’s VDL Groep Grand Prix. USA rider Lauren Hough set off at a cracking pace on Ohlala round the beautiful main grass arena and held onto her clear round lead in a time of 60.55. Lauren, from New York, is currently in 17th place in the GCT 2012 ranking. She had no trouble with the course designed by Uliano Vezzani and jumped a...

Zana Wofsi and Taylor Schmidt. Traverse City, MI - July 22, 2012 - Even though Taylor Schmidt has only been competing in the jumper ranks for little more than a year, when she went into the ring to jump off for the $7,500 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic she had confidence in her mare Zana Wofsi. Knowing that Wofsi's strength is turning, Schmidt said she made her winning plan with the knowledge that they could master Michel Vallaincourt's jump-off test. He challenged riders...

Paul O'Shea and Primo Level (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival had a very exciting day of competition on Saturday with a full schedule of hunters and jumpers. In the International Arena, the night session hosted two classes that highlighted power and speed. In the $35,000 Hermès Puissance, Paul O'Shea (IRL) rode Primo Level, owned by Michael Hayden, to win in four rounds of the high jump competition. Lauren Tisbo and Welinde were the fastest...

People say things always happen for a reason. Throughout the past few months I have had loads of change come my way and have learned to deal with things the way that they have presented themselves. This spring season has not been the best for Pop and me. He turned 14 this past January and has done more than I have ever thought he would. Many people told me he would never go preliminary and, for a while, I believed them. He was tough in the beginning and after the first few trainings he did I...

Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda (Pics of You Photo) Dressage At the Golden State Dressage Festival CDI3*, the competition was highlighted by a large field for the small tour classes. Carolyn Adams took top honors in the Intermediaire I with Witerprinz, scoring 68.474%. Mette Rosencrantz was second with Finally and Heidi Gaian rounded out the top three with Chicago. In the Prix St. Georges, Rosencrantz and Finally went one better and scored a victory over Brian Hafner on Lombardo LHF. Karen...

Steffen Peters and Weltino's Magic. (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler) Burbank, CA - In sunny California, the competition for a coveted spot on the U.S. and Canadian Pan American Games teams heated up during the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J, held March 31-April 3, 2011, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank. Despite a large and talented group of international competitors, there was no stopping Steffen Peters with what the judges deemed his new "super horse", Weltino's Magic. Peters and...

Rudi Kronsteiner and Finest Copyshot. (Photo courtesy NRHA.) Kreuth, Germany – The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) ended its 2011 NRHA European Futurity & NRHA Show on Saturday, April 3, in Kreuth, Germany. The show is the largest NRHA-approved show to be held outside of the U.S. and welcomes more than 300 horses and 200 riders. NRHA crowned champions in the Level 3 and Level 4 Non Pro Futurity divisions, as well as champions in the Level 3 and Level 4 Open Futurity divisions. Riders...

Marta Renilla’s exhibition ride at Pin Oak. (Shawn McMillen Photography.) Katy, TX – Week two is underway at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, one of the oldest and most prestigious shows in the United States and the first designated as a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Heritage show. Andalusians, Lusitanos and crosses of these bloodlines with other breeds have been part of this multi-breed show for seven years. Pin Oak’s new international hospitality sponsor, Haras Dos Cavaleiros,...

Andre Thieme and Uvalier. (ESI Photography©.) Ocala, FL - It seems the luck of the Irish was with German High-Performance rider Andre Thieme yesterday when he piloted his own Uvalier to a blazingly fast finish in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. The win marks his third of the season and the second in five days for Thieme who, just last Sunday, rode Seth Vallhonrat's Coco 135 to an exciting victory in the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer...