John Pearce and Chianto (Phelps Media Group) Parker, Colo. - It was a true battle to the finish in the $30,000 McElvain Energy Grand Prix at Summer in the Rockies III, with rider after rider fighting to lay claim to the top prize. Spectators were on the edge of their seats as they shouted the names of their favorites and anxiously waited for the times to flash on the scoreboard in the Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix Arena. As the last to go, and having already seen his lead with Johnny B...

Melissa Orlick-Zbierski and Viekie won the $20,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic at Showplace Spring Spectacular III, presented by LUXMAX U.S.A (Phelps Media Group) Wayne, Ill. - The fifth day of the Showplace Spring Spectacular III opened to blue skies and strong jumper competition as the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers took the limelight in the LUXMAX U.S.A Grand Prix Ring at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Seventeen horse and rider combinations faced off in the $20,000...

John Pearce and Johnny B Good (Phelps Media Group) Parker, Colo. - It's been a long road to the top for Johnny B Good, but now he's proving himself well worth the effort. He and John Pearce were the final and fastest competitors in the jump-off and clinched the victory in the $15,000 Open Welcome Stake at Summer in the Rockies III. "Johnny has been amazing here," Pearce, of Bermuda Dunes, CA, said. "He's been such a slow horse to develop. I never thought he would ever do this, to be...

Gladstone, N.J. - The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp came to an exciting conclusion on the fourth and final day of competition as Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, and Pony Rider Champions were all crowned. In the Grand Prix championship, Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 clinched their third consecutive National Title with their best performance of the week. For the third consecutive test, the top placings remained the same as Peters scored Champion and Reserve honors...

Abigail Albrecht and MTM Flashdance (Phelps Media Group) Parker, Colo. - The ASPCA Maclay courseset by Scott Starnes in the Olson Family Main Hunter Ring tested riders with various bending lines, a long approach to a substantial oxer, and a tight rollback to an in-and-out. Most challenging for this group of riders were the rollback and the spooky single oxer. Some of the horse and rider combinations struggled with keeping pace through the tight turn. The group was also tested on the flat. The...

Gladstone, N.J. - The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp got underway on Thursday under gloomy, drizzly skies in the USET Foundation Headquarters’ Dick and Jane Brown Arena. Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 began their quest for a third consecutive Grand Prix National Title with a win in the Grand Prix. Additionally, Peters kicked off the day claiming the top two spot in the first test of The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. Katrin...

Kelsey Thatcher and Athena captured the $30,000 Barrington Saddlery Grand Prix victory during the Showplace Spring Spectacular I (Phelps Media Group) Wayne, Ill. - The Lamplight Equestrian Center had no empty seats Sunday afternoon as the $30,000 Barrington Saddlery Grand Prix got underway during the Showplace Spring Spectacular I. Kelsey Thatcher rode to a fantastic win during Saturday's $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and duplicated her efforts...

Abigail Weiland and Dragon (Phelps Media Group) Parker, Colo . - It was the junior riders' time to shine Friday at the Colorado Horse Park. They had their game faces on as they tackled course designer Scott Starnes' ASPCA Maclay and Junior Hunter courses. The Maclay course assessed the riders' effectiveness while maintaining their position. It included an in-and-out, a rollback, a long approach single oxer, and it tested adjustability with a sharp right turn towards the short side...

Old Salem, N.Y. - Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy made it their 27th win in an international hunter derby at Old Salem Farm, taking the top spot in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. They scored 179 in the first round and sat in second place going into the handy round. With a dominating, 200-point performance in the handy, they easily took the win by 22 points. Watch an interview with Jennifer Alfano Second place went to Amanda Steege on Loxley, owned by Finale Partners LLC. They...

University of South Carolina star junior Katherine Schmidt was named a 1st team All American in Equitation on the Flat and Equitation over Fences. Waco, Texas. - The National Collegiate Equestrian Association has selected its 2013-14 All-America class, it was announced Tuesday. The NCEA also announced its Second-Team All-America class and the All-America Honorable Mention squad. The NCEA National Championship will take place April 17-19 at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas. It marks the...