Boyd Martin and Trading Aces over the table at fence 19 (Hannah Bennet/USEA) Richfield, MI - All the action at the Richland Park Horse Trials CIC3* came to a roaring climax Saturday as the horses and riders galloped through the cornfields across Ian Stark’s massive cross-country test. Time was a major factor due to the twisting nature of the course, and not one pair was able to avoid the sting of time penalties. This weekend was also a part of the exciting Adequan USEA Gold Up and PRO...

David Blake and Park Lane (Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - David Blake piloted the up-and-coming young horse Park Lane to a win in the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers to kick off the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show's jumper divisions. Earlier in the day, Christi Israel rode Bull Run's Zino Platinum to first place in the 1.35m Open Jumpers. The $5,000 1.40m Open Jumpers was run as a speed class over the course designed by Allen Rheinheimer....

Lexington, KY - The 2013 US National Pony Jumper Championship, held as part of the US Pony Finals, came to an exciting conclusion on Friday night with Individual titles up for grabs. Twenty-one competitors came back to jump a fourth round over Marc Donovan’s testing course. A single rail Individual Medalists (Shawn McMillen Photography) separated the top 11 riders heading into Friday’s final round and a fourth round would not be enough as competitors would need to jump off for all...

Carter Anderson and The Blu Mountie (Emily Riden) Lexington, KY - The 2013 USEF Pony Finals kick off on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, and as the Kentucky Summer Classic came to a conclusion today, young riders took advantage of the perfect weather and the opportunity to prepare in the rings at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Kentucky Summer Classic, which ran July 30 to August 4, offered a wide array of pony divisions and classes, including the WIHS Small Pony Equitation and the WIHS Large Pony...

Laura Linback rode to the top of the Open Jumper leader board for the opening day of Equifest II, taking the 1.40m Open Jumper victory with Whittaker MVNZ (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Wayne, IL - The top horses and riders from across the country returned to the Lamplight Equestrian Center for Equifest II. The first day of competition commenced with the Open Jumper divisions in the Grand Prix Ring. Local resident Laura Linback led the way to the $5,000 1.40m Open Jumper class, as well as the $500 1.25m...

Happy Z and Wilhelm Genn (Tricia Booker Photogra[hy) Traverse City, MI - Happy Z has an affinity for Horse Shows by the Bay. The flashy chestnut won the first grand prix of her venerable career eight years ago in Traverse City, and she returned today to log her 55th victory in the $30,000 Grand Prix of the Great Lakes. "At this point, I appreciate every good class, where before you take things for granted," said owner and rider Wilhelm Genn. "Now, she doesn't have to win, just jump well,...

Thanks to everyone who took the time to send emails to USEF and for sharing your thoughts and feelings about the direction Western Dressage should take. It is so important to hear and listen to different ideas from all directions as the discipline develops. At this point all there is to do is continue to ride and train and show, and most important, to have fun with our horses. With another show coming up this weekend for us, I have put a lot of thought into the questions the last show brought...

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...

Lexington, KY - In preparation for future success on the international stage, many of the top American dressage combinations have travelled overseas to hone their skills in Europe. Talented horse-and-rider pairs from throughout the U.S. will compete in many of the most prestigious European CDIs throughout the course of this summer. "Dressage is a ‘Who Beats Whom, Where Sport’ and this fact makes it imperative that our American athletes at all levels compete against the best in the...

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....