Rhian Murphy piloted Phantom to the MHJ Junior Medal Finals victory during the 2013 Massachusetts Hunter Jumper Finals at the Fieldstone Show Park (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Halifax, MA - Top riders from across New England gathered at the Fieldstone Show Park for the 2013 Massachusetts Hunter Jumper Finals. After working all year to qualify for the prestigious event, riders competed in their respective divisions to earn the championship honors. The Junior Medal was award to Rhian...

Hunt Tosh and Casanova (Emily Riden) Lexington, KY - "It was a pretty easy decision considering both horses were coming from the same barn," Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, owner of Casanova said. "They have both been so good, there really was nothing else to ask of them. They were fantastic both days." Tosh added: "The great owners made a good decision. That was my gut instinct, but I never even had to say anything. They both came into the schooling ring and said neither one of them are...

Jennifer Alfano and Candid (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - The eyes of the hunter world are glued on the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show this week as the country's top horses and riders converge for the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship Finals and the inaugural USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program Championship. Today riders utilized the first day of the World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) week show, running now through Sunday, August 18, to prepare for the...

Welcome to a different kind of blog from WDAA! The purpose of this post is to allow the reader "into the heads" of both a trainer/judge/competitor, Karen Abbattista and her student, Deborah Herbert, a Florida WDAA member. We would like to share with you some moments in Deb's journey as she pursues her riding goals with her AQHA mare "GenuineArcticSpring", barn name "Belle". Please enjoy as you follow along with these posts that we consider interesting or challenging moments on their journey...

Ammeretto and David Beisel (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, MI - David Beisel and Ammeretto saved their best for last. After winning the first class they contested during the 2013 Horse Shows by the Bay Series on July 4, they finally picked up their second blue ribbon today during the $30,000 D-Braider Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix. "It was worth the wait, for sure," said Beisel, who also notched his first grand prix win aboard the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Numero...

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - The top riders in the country gathered to compete for the winning prize in tonight's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, but in the 15-horse jump-off only the fastest and most accurate would have the chance at the prize money. Venezuela's Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra scored the lion's share of the cash after making a mad dash across the finish line in a scorching 43.662 seconds for the win. The...

Brittini Raflowitz and Elios rode to the top of the $5,000 GGT Footing Welcome Stake leader board at Equifest I, riding to the only double-clear effort of the class. Wayne, IL - Accuracy was key for Brittini Raflowitz and Elios this afternoon during the $5,000 GGT Footing Welcome Stake at Equifest I. The pair out jumped all fellow contenders as the only ones to post a double-clear effort, eventually leading the victory gallop in the Lamplight Equestrian Center's Grand Prix Ring. David...

McLain Ward and Cadence (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, Alberta - Despite having first ridden Cadence last week, McLain Ward had confidence in his new mount. They have had a string of top finishes at the 'Canada One' and 'North American' Tournaments, and today was their first victory. Ward was one of three that made it into the jump-off in the $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup 1.50m out of 36 entries. He was the first to go and put in an efficient round in 36.52 seconds with...

Mark Bluman of Colombia rode G&C Lagran to victory in the $10,000 Open Welcome, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 4, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT - Mark Bluman of Colombia won the $10,000 Open Welcome, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, held Thursday, July 4, at the Vermont Summer Festival. The six-week equestrian competition is running July 2 through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East...

Wannahave stretches over the open water with McLain Ward (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Clagary, Alberta - The $33,000 McDaniel & Associates 1.45m Derby had 24 entries, and six of those were able to clear the course without faults. The track, designed by Werner Deeg of Germany, featured 16 numbered obstacles and 19 jumping efforts, including the grob, open water, dry ditch combination, and jumping off a bank. Speeding around by six seconds faster than the next competitors were McLain Ward...