Peter Wylde, 2004 Olympic Team Gold medalist for the USA, rode Esplanade 7 to his first grand prix win of the 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival on Thursday, January 29. The pair took the fourth leg of the $30,000 Braman Motorcars WEF Challenge Cup Series under lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Fifty-seven combinations started the class with 15 going clear to move to the jump-off. Six pairs posted clear rounds in a thrilling dash around the shortened course. Wylde, who...

The human and animal kingdoms may be enjoying a quiet summer/winter weekend, depending on the hemisphere, but it is a key one for the horses taking part in the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games. On Friday, July 25, the first horses left from Europe (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and the United States (Atlanta, GA) on three flights to Hong Kong. All 33 horses—coming from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Korea, The Netherlands, and Switzerland—accompanied by 15 attendants...

Duncan McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy (Flying Home) Rancho Murieta, CA - The fifth anniversary of the Sacramento International Horse Show culminated last night with the $55,000 Land Rover Grand Prix of Sacramento. New Zealand transplant Duncan McFarlane and his stallion Mr. Whoopy thrilled a sold out Murieta Equestrian Center with a fast double clear for the win. Following the Grand Prix, Rich Fellers' Flexible was named "Best Horse" for the second consecutive year. Twenty-six horse and rider...

Margie Engle and Ashland Farms' Lord Spezi on course in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, NY (ESI Photography). Saugerties, NY — With competition taking place in 10 different show rings and more than 1,600 horses on the premises, the opening week of the HITS-on-the-Hudson summer series is going like gangbusters, proving that Saugerties, New York is the place to be this summer. Olympian Margie Engle...

Silvio Mazzoni rides to victory aboard his own Remonta Habano in the $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper (ESI Photography). . Culpeper, VA – Silvio Mazzoni of Leesburg, VA, and his own Remonta Habano captured their second Grand Prix victory at HITS this year by winning Sunday’s $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper. The duo also won the blue in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal...

The festival atmosphere started early as tailgaters prepared to welcome their expected guests. Tents were raised, tables set with colorful clothes topped with trays and baskets of food, coolers were filled with ice and beverages to keep everyone hydrated and happy during the warm day. With thousands of spectators expected, many arrived early to ensure a seat with a good view of the 80 some competitors who would fly though the obstacles. Volunteers took their places to wait patiently for the...

Manuel Torres and Chambacunero. (ESI Photography©.) Saugerties, NY - The HITS winter show season just passed the mid-way point for all three of its circuits in Ocala, FL, Tucson, AZ, and Thermal, CA. As the leading show management company in the sport, HITS hosts 35 weeks of competition each year, with 58 Grand Prix and some of the biggest prize money purses offered anywhere in the world, including the historic Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. At its peak, HITS hosts six Grand Prix events a week...

Imagine yourself in a crowd of thousands experiencing a landmark event as it makes its debut outside of Europe. That is what will happen when six lucky people win a grand prize package trip for two to watch their favorite U.S. Team compete this September in Lexington, KY. There, 600 riders and 700 horses from more than 60 countries will converge at a single venue to compete in eight disciplines. Each of the six grand prize packages includes round-trip coach fare for two people, hotel...

Pfizer Animal Health is pleased to announce their support of the New Canaan Mounted Troop, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to building leadership, responsibility and confidence in youth through sound horsemanship. As part of the growing relationship, Pfizer Animal Health and the troop will work together to help foster good health for the organization’s horses, while providing a hands-on learning experience in equine care for its young members. New Canaan Mounted Troop (NCMT) has used...

Lucy Davis and Old Oak Farm's Hannah. (Flying Horse Photography©.) Thermal, CA — Horsepower Weekend at the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, CA, shifted into high gear when Lucy Davis rode Old Oak Farm’s Hannah to the top placing in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. It was a perfect Friday afternoon of show jumping in the majestic Strongid C 2X Stadium. Under bright blue skies, while nearly five dozen horses tested the course, the berm surrounding the Oasis VIP...