Stephanie Sedlacko and Jennifer Alfano rode to the first place finish in the American Saddlebred Hunter Challenge (Brooke Jacobs) Lexington, Ky. - It's not every day that you see riders compete over their first hunter course during a national championship, but when four world champion American Saddlebred trainers take the reins of a hunter and grand prix and professional hunter riders take the reins of an American Saddlebred, it makes for a night of fun and excitement. It was a...

Liz Halliday-Sharp with HHS Cooley (Galway Downs Press) Temecula, Calif. - Fifteen years have passed since Liz Halliday-Sharp rode in the inaugural Galway Downs International Three-Day Event, and now she plans to ride HHS Cooley in the CCI3* on Oct. 31-Nov. 3. The Presenting Sponsors of the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event are: Equine Insurance of California, Land Rover, Professional’s Choice, the California Horse Trader and the PRO Tour. Halliday-Sharp, now 34, grew up in...

Nayel Nassar and Lordan (Captured Moment Photography) Del Mar, Calif. - World Cup Week heats up with the thrilling iJump Sports Welcome Stake on Thursday evening. Out of fifty-two entries there were nine clear rounds, but Nayel Nassar aboard Lordan showed the most speed, completing the course in 65.10. Saer Coulter and Carmena Z were close behind in second, with Francie Steinwedell-Carver on Taunus riding to 3rd place. Lots more jumper action to come as riders gear up for the Rancho Valencia...

Springtown, Texas - It was a tale of two teams in Texas on Saturday as No.7 Baylor and No.8 Texas Christian met in an early season in-state clash. TCU had the better western team, and Baylor was the dominant hunt seat team. But the TCU reining team was the only squad able to secure an outright, 5-0, sweep. In doing so they made the difference in a hard fought 11-9 win. Baylor won equitation on the flat 3-2 and TCU edged out an equal 3-2 victory in horsemanship. TCU was able to pick up one point...

Leslie Berndl (Pics of You) Lexington, KY – A good crowd turned out at the Kentucky Horse Park Saturday to watch the marathon phase of the Kentucky Classic CDE. When the driving was done and the spectators had left Leslie Berndl had taken a big step into the lead in the single horse division. Berndl (Newcastle, California) started off hot Saturday morning with Dutch Warmblood gelding Umico and her consistent driving over the entire course helped her take the lead in the division. Berndl...

The FEI has received formal Expressions of Interest from Great Britain, the USA and Canada to host the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018, after re-opening the bidding process on 1 July 2013. The USA has identified two potential host cities - Wellington (Florida) and Lexington (Kentucky) - and Great Britain will have to confirm the proposed host city with the FEI before the 15 November 2013 deadline for receipt of Bid Applicant Questionnaires. Canada confirmed its initial bid to host the...

Barbara Ann Merryman, Ashley Foster and Haley Waters (Randi Muster) Jacksonville, FL - The highly- anticipated ASPCA Maclay Regionals were held on the final day of the 2013 Southeast Medal Finals at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Ashley Foster of Brookeville, MD executed Allen Rheinheimer's course flawlessly aboard Leena L, owned by KMW Ponies LLC, to take home the coveted prize out of a total of 39 riders. Her life-long friend, Haley Waters earned the second place prize with an...

Calgary, AB – The prestigious Spruce Meadows 'Masters' Tournament opened today with two classes in the International Ring and featured exciting competition. The victory in the $85,000 Finning Cup 1.60m went to Christian Ahlmann (GER) on Taloubet Z. Kent Farrington (USA) and Blue Angel flew to the win over a field of 17 in the jump-off of the $50,000 AKITA Drilling Cup 1.50m. The 'Masters' continues through Sunday, September 8, and features the $1 Million CN International...

Chester Weber finished 2nd in the Marathon at CAI Caen on his way to a 2014 WEG test event victory (Madeleine Augustsson/CAI Caen) Caen, France - With Sunday's cones complete, Chester Weber has won the WEG test event at the Caen CAI-4A. Weber (Ocala, FL) led a team made up of his own seven-year-old KWPN gelding Boris W, 13-year-old KWPN gelding Boy W, and 16-year-old KWPN gelding Para, along with Jane Clark's 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Splash, and Koos de Ronde's...

Last week I posted a virtual show entry video from an amazingly brave woman who continues to allow me to use her material for examples in this blog. Her courage and generosity inspire me and I hope that her open heart and willingness to be visible inspire you too. I hope that some of you readers are able to identify with her as a peer, a rider struggling to understand riding and training her stock horse and that you professionals at least respect her courage. Reaction to the video has been...