The eventing portion of the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrians Games kicked off Wednesday with all horses of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team passing the first horse inspection. A field of 95 combinations from 27 nations presented at the first horse inspection, with 94 horses passing and one, Alexander, the mount of Ludwig Svennerstal (SWE), withdrawing from the holding box. The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team, led by Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor, is prepared for strong performances...

David Beisel celebrates after a speedy round on Ammeretto (A. Glavan/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - He may be the smallest horse in the class, but do not let his size fool you. The just barely 16 hand stallion Ammeretto is a fierce competitor with rider David Beisel, and he makes up for what he lacks in height and galloping speed with nimble turns. It was just such a turn that clinched the top spot in Sunday's $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi. Beisel was able...

Shane Sweetnam and Bijzonder (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Ireland's Shane Sweetnam is well known for helping produce top young mounts, and Thursday he showed how it is done with the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Bijzonder. When seven horses go double clear in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, the only way to win is with speed, and although Bijzonder is just learning to go fast, he clearly has a knack for it. Sweetnam sped across the finish line two seconds...

Lisa Goldman set the pace with Centurion B to win the $5,000 Welcome Class at Lamplight's Equifest II (Andrew Ryback) Wayne, Ill – The feature class at Lamplight Equestrian Center’s Equifest II today was the $5,000 1.40m Welcome class in the newly remodeled Grand Prix ring. Fourteen entries vied for the prize over the Manuel Esparza designed course. Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico, was the Assistant Designer for the Olympic Games from 1996-2008. His time allowed on today’s...

Anna Cardelfe and Dollar Van't Eigenlo DH (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Rising talent took center stage today at the Kentucky Horse Park as the High Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers competed in the Rolex Stadium during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Anna Cardelfe proved that a new partnership can be just as successful as a veteran pairing when she won the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers aboard Dollar Van't Eigenlo DH. Meanwhile in the High Junior Jumpers, it was Meredith...

The Woodside Vaulters (Dirk Caremans/Hippo Foto/Shannon Brinkman Photo) Aachen, Germany - The U.S. vaulters had a wonderful showing in the CVIO3*, part of the CHIO Aachen that took place July 11-13. Performing well in the Albert-Vahle-Arena in Aachen, Germany, the U.S. contingent had excellent rounds in the Squad and Pas de Deux competitions as well as respectable showings in the Individual divisions. In the CVIO competition, the U.S. came home with third-place honors. The Woodside Vaulters...

McLain Ward and Zander (Spruce Meadows Media Service) Calgary, Alberta. - Spruce Meadows held its $83,000 Investors Group Cup 1.50m competition on Saturday afternoon with another win for USA’s McLain Ward at the ‘Pan American’ Tournament CSI 5*. Ward took the top two places, winning aboard Zander and finishing second with HH Carlos Z. The rider has had a fantastic tournament to conclude the summer at Spruce Meadows and looks forward to competing Rothchild in Sunday’s...

Angel Karolyi and Indiana 127 (Spruce Meadows Media Service) Calgary, Alberta - The 'North American' Tournament CSI 5* at Spruce Meadows concluded on Sunday with an extraordinary showdown in the $210,000 Cenovus Energy Classic Derby. It was déjà vu from the 'National' Tournament in June, as Angel Karolyi of Venezuela and Quentin Judge of the USA battled it out in an exciting derby jump-off. Judge took the win four weeks ago and was hoping to repeat his victory with...

Amanda Flint riding Newlight VDL (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, Vt. - Amanda Flint of Long Valley, N.J., took the top two spots to dominate the $10,000 Open Welcome, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, held Thursday, July 3, at the Vermont Summer Festival. The six-week equestrian competition runs through August 10 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, Vt.. A total of four horses advanced to the jump-off over the track set by Irish course designer Alan Wade. Two of those horses...

Megan Jordan and Top Shelf (Phelps Media Group) Parker, Colo. - Megan Jordan is making a stellar debut at Summer in the Rockies in her first visit to the Colorado Horse Park. She and Top Shelf, last to go in the jump-off for the $15,000 Open Welcome Stake, nailed the tight turns and galloped down to the last fence to sneak in just under John Pearce and Johnny B Good's target time and steal the victory. With 13 out of 30 entries in the Welcome Stake producing clear first rounds over the...