Wayne, Ill. – The first set of champions were determined at the 2016 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships today. Adrienne Lyle and Horizon maintained their lead to win the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges National Championship. Christian Hartung and Desario, who received record marks, claimed the Markel/USEF Five-Year-Old National Championship, and Craig Stanley and Habanero CWS overtook Justine Wilson and Hero BHS for the Markel/USEF...

Traverse City, Mich. - Aug. 19, 2016 - Mattias Tromp (USA) of Beyaert Farm Inc. led the victory gallop in Friday's highlight event, the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2*, at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF). The 21-year-old rider from North Salem, New York, piloted Avon, a mount he just acquired in April, to grab the blue ribbon and win their first FEI class together. Mattias Tromp and Avon led the victory gallop on Friday in the $35,000 Welcome Stake CSI2* during Week Six of the Great...

Andrew Kocher and Zantos II won Sunday's $50,000 Grand Prix of Williamsburg CSI2* to wrap-up Week Five at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. (Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, Mich. - Aug. 14, 2016 - Week Five's feature event at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF), the $50,000 Grand Prix of Williamsburg CSI2*, went to Andrew Kocher (USA) and brand new mount Zantos II. With only having ridden and competed the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding for less than a month,...

Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisshop (Devaney Iglesias/Phelps Media Group) Wayne, Ill. - After a gallop to the final line and a double-clear effort, the crowd at Lamplight Equestrian Center rose to their their feet and cheered for Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisschop. The 17-year-old was all smiles as she crossed the finish line, while her mount soaked in the applause and celebrated their victory in the $75,000 Grand Prix at the Chicago Festival of the Horse. "He knew he did well,"...

Nick Novak and Climbus win the $25,000 Welcome Stake at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival Week IV. (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, Mich. - Nick Novak finally overcame his five-year drought on Friday afternoon at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF). For years, he has fallen just shy of the victory, taking the backseat to the winner's circle. During Week IV of GLEF, the drought came to an end for Novak, and as the old saying goes, "when it rains, it pours." Novak...

Gavin Moylan and Pernod on their way to a $30,000 HITS Grand Prix win. (ESI Photography) Culpeper, Va. - As the curtain closed on Showday National at HITS Culpeper on Sunday, riders returned to the Grand Prix ring to contend for the top prize in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix. Hot off a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, Gavin Moylan returned to the jumper ring and topped the Grand Prix field to stake claims on the blue ribbon once again. The Middleburg, Virginia, equestrian’s victory...

Maya Nayyar and Connaro (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group) Devon, Pa. - As the 2016 U.S. Junior Hunter National Championship East Coast kicked off at the Devon Horse Show grounds during the Brandywine Horse Shows, 76 of the nation's best equitation riders gathered to vie for the top honors in the prestigious USHJA Hunterdon Cup, and it was Maya Nayyar who went wire to wire to bring home the blue ribbon. The large starting field was whittled down as they competed over Skip Bailey's...

Competitors like Faith Green and her Quarter Horse Dusters Legacy were awash with ribbons at the 2016 National Dressage Pony Cup. (John Borys) “I’m so happy we decided to make the trip, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with my pony. This has been so much fun!” These words were heard from juniors to elder adults ranging in experience from dressage newcomers to hardworking amateurs and international High Performance professionals who gathered at the National Dressage Pony...

Reagan Upton and Oh Night Divine (Howard Schatzberg) Lexington, Ky. - A field of 19 competitors, the largest field in the class' history, vying for the 2016 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final title kicked off the evening session at the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show on Wednesday, July 6. Following the competitive field's display of equitation skills, 27-year-old Reagan Upton was named the unanimous 2016 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final Champion. Upton...

Skyhawk and Alexis Taylor Silvernale (McCool) San Juan Capistrano, Calif. - The $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby kicked off a grand Saturday morning at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano. After topping the first round, Alexis Taylor Silvernale and Skyhawk, owned by Aleron, LLC, continued to impress both judging panels in the Handy Round for the win in a challenging class. The honorable Bill Ellis and Christina Schlusemeyer judged as Panel One, and Scott...