www.flickr.com/photos/skodak (Rio de Janeiro) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the host city of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in 2016 during its 121st Session in Copenhagen, Denmark. Rio de Janeiro received 66 votes compared to Madrid’s 32 in the final round of voting. IOC President Jacques Rogge congratulated Rio de Janeiro on its election and praised the high quality of the bid, “I would like to congratulate the city of Rio de...

Raul de Leon was awarded the designation of Master Instructor by the American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) in July. A former Cuban junior jumping champion, de Leon furthered his career in the U.S., working closely with former United States Equestrian Team coach Bertalan de Nemethy and eventually settling on Long Island. From 1994 to 1990, de Leon served as co-director of the Westmoreland Davis Equestrian Institute at Morven Park with his friend and former student, 1976 Olympic...

Grand Prix de Santa Fe, Santa Fe’s most prestigious horse show, is pleased to announce the donation of $35,000 in net proceeds from its 2007 annual show-jumping event to New Mexico social service and equestrian non-profit organizations. Beneficiaries include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico, New Mexico Suicide Intervention Project, Silver Bullet Productions, Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust, Santa Fe Pro Musica’s Youth Programs, The Horse Shelter and Rancho Corazon Riders....

Dortmund, Germany – For the second time, Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer will represent the United States at the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Finals. Taking place March 4-6 in Dortmund, Germany, the sisters will compete in the pas-de-deux division against three teams for a chance at the title. Teams will perform in two freestyle competitions. The average score from both freestyle performances will determine the overall champion. Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer, winners of the Pas-de-Deux at the...

Jordan MacPherson and Piccobello du val de Geer (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Week two of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) concluded at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Sunday with a win for Jordan MacPherson (CAN) and Piccobello du val de Geer in the $34,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. The Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series, Presented by The Dutta Corp. in Association with Guido Klatte, also kicked off with its...

Sister Act - American sisters Cassidy and Kimberly Palmer secured a pas-de-deux victory at the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2013/2014 leg at the Stuttgart German Masters. (Karl-Heinz Frieler/FEI) Stuttgart, Germany - The 2013 USEF Open Pas de Deux National Champions made a statement on the world stage this weekend by winning the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting qualifier at the Stuttgart German Masters on Sunday. The Pas de Deux qualifier series is new this year, and the Stuttgart leg was only the...

Paul O'Shea and Primo de Revel (Mancini Photos) Wellington, FL - Equestrian Sport Productions LLC (ESP) concluded its third week of competition for its 2013 spring horse show circuit this week at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. The show featured a full schedule of "AA" hunter and 4-star jumper competition, including a $25,000 Grand Prix, a $10,000 Open Jumper Stake, and a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Classic. The highlight class of the week was the...

Wellington, FL - Yvonne Losos de Muniz of the Dominican Republic received one of the highest scores on Dondolo Las Marismas at the West Palm Beach National Show on Saturday. The pair won the Freestyle with 77.875% at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival. (GDF) "It was amazing! It felt like one of the best tests I have ever done with him," said Losos de Muniz. "It was so smooth and he was with me the whole way. I have not had such a good ride with him in a long time. It was...

Denver, CO – Judges were impressed with Rosalind Ross and Devon Maitozo - their composition, performance and degree of difficulty – placing the pair atop the podium at last week’s USEF/AVA national Championships at the National Western Complex in Denver, CO. Ross and Maitozo – from the F.A.C.E. Vaulting Club in Moorpark, CA – were named champions of the Pas de Deux, an FEI- recognized event expected to be competed at the 2012 World Championships for the first time....

Karen Polle aboard Cachette Z (Al Cook Photo) Harrisburg, Penn. - The four team members from Zone 2 came to Harrisburg with the intention of winning, and that is exactly what they did. With seven of their eight trips clear, Katie Dinan, Reed Kessler, Meg O'Mara and Karen Polle made it look easy. The riders from Zone 2 led the way all night, but they were closely followed by last year's Prix de States Champion, Zone 10. Jocelyn Neff aboard Gaja 20 and Audrey Coulter aboard Rodenburghs California...