Alida D'Angona, Miss Massachusetts 2011. (Photo courtesy AMHA.) Shelburne, VT — Alida D'Angona, 24, from Bolton, MA, recently was crowned Miss Massachusetts 2011, and will be a presenter at the American Morgan Horse Association's annual awards banquet on Saturday, February 26 in Boston. Born in California, D'Angona traveled with her family as a child across the world to live in Hong Kong before settling in Bolton. With an interest in music as well as the sciences, D'Angona quickly became...

Fair Hill, MD - Youthful enthusiasm combined with practiced precision led the way at the 22nd annual Dansko Fair Hill International Festival in the Country. The thirty-three horse field includes a broad range of competitors, including Olympians and riders that have just returned from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Amateur rider and former Young Rider Nate Chambers, Vienna, Virginia, was really pleased with the performance of his 14 year-old warmblood gelding, Rolling Stone II....

Clark Montgomery Wins From Gate to Wire with Loughan Glen (Stockimageservices.com) Elkton, MD - There was a plenty at stake at the Dansko Fair Hill International, as 44 CCI2* horses and 24 CCI3* horses went to task in the USEF National Eventing Championships over Sally Ike's show jumping courses on a perfect October day. Hannah Burnett did something no one has ever done, the 2009 National CCI2* Champion returned to Fair Hill with Richard Thompson's St. Barths and finished on her dressage score...

U.S. Vaulting Team Wins Gold (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - After years of preparation, what began as a dream finally turned into reality. The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games took place here in Lexington, KY - the first time they had ever been held outside of Europe. But now, what was a reality has turned into a memory as the Games concluded today as the final medals were presented. The U.S. Team started on a high note, taking home the first Team Gold medal of the...

Lexington, Kentucky - Saddlebred trainer Michael Ray Benn, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away on Friday, October 1, 2010. Benn had been a resident of Liberty for the past seven years and earned his living doing what he loved – training American Saddlebred Horses. He spent his younger years working with Don Hulse and Dale Pugh, and was the head trainer at Callaway Hills Stables in Columbia, Missouri for twelve years, before operating his own training barn in Springfield, Missouri. Most recently...

Lexington, KY - The USHJA International Hunter Derby made its debut to the world this morning, at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Four of the country’s top hunter riders, demonstrated and educated over 1000 spectators about the exciting International Hunter Derby. The course, which demonstrated the tight turns necessary for a handy hunter, a variety of derby fences and the hand gallop, was designed by Bobby Murphy. The USHJA demo riders were: Jen Alfano and Jersey Boy, Peter...

It’s funny to watch the jog for different disciplines and how different the horses act. I find the most humorous jogs to be the hunters and the reiners. I expected the jumpers to be quite fresh at the jog just like the event or dressage horses, but they really weren’t—with a few exceptions. There was a horse from New Zealand, a gorgeous stallion, who was being jogged by two people. It was somewhat funny to watch but surely wouldn’t have been if I had been on the other...

Lexington, KY - Internationally-renowned fashion designer Reem Acra will be a presenting sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The Games will feature world championships in eight equestrian sports at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park September 25-October 10. Reem Acra will be the presenting sponsor of the Eventing World Championships, as well as the presenting sponsor of the Champions Club, the most exclusive offering of the event’s hospitality program. Reem Acra designs will be...

SHELBURNE, VT — The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) has announced that its national headquarters is moving to a new office facility at the end of the month. The office and employees are moving September 2-8 and will be closed for business during these days. AMHA will resume its regular business hours on Thursday, September 9. In July, AMHA signed a ten-year lease at Shelburne Commons, renewing its commitment to remain in Vermont. AMHA's new address will be 4066 Shelburne Road,...

Randi Muster (Meredith "Maddy" Darst and Highlands Make Believe were named Medium Pony Grand Champions.) Lexington, KY - August 13, 2010 - It was another hot day at the Kentucky Horse Park, but that did not slow down the exciting competition at the 2010 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals National Championships. The top ponies and riders gathered at the Walnut Ring to showcase their talent. The pony action began with the Large Pony Hunter model and under saddle phases, and was...