Aachen, Germany - The U.S. Dressage Team emphatically marked their resurgence with a podium finish in Wednesday’s Lambertz FEI Nations Cup at the Aachen CDIO5*. The U.S. Team of Steffen Peters, Tina Konyot, Jan Ebeling and Shelly Francis earned a third place finish on a team total of 217.298. The U.S. Team (Shannon Brinkman) “Our Nations Cup riders came here for a medal and they did not disappoint. Each of them showed why they are among the best in the world,” said Chef...

Lexington, KY - In preparation for future success on the international stage, many of the top American dressage combinations have travelled overseas to hone their skills in Europe. Talented horse-and-rider pairs from throughout the U.S. will compete in many of the most prestigious European CDIs throughout the course of this summer. "Dressage is a ‘Who Beats Whom, Where Sport’ and this fact makes it imperative that our American athletes at all levels compete against the best in the...

Christine McCrea and Avenir on their way to a two-for-two weekend at HITS Saugerties. (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY – Christine McCrea finished the first week of spring competition at HITS Saugerties with a hot hand. After piloting Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables’ Avenir to the blue in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, McCrea rose to the occasion again for Sunday’s $50,000 EMO Grand Prix and cashed another winner’s check....

Current Standings The third qualifier at Showpark's Ranch & Coast Classic hosted thirty-seven horse and rider combinations - the largest group of entries to date. With almost half the class going clean, sixth to go in the jump-off, Nick Haness aboard the fabulous mare Zeppelien (Kendall Perrin, owner), set a blazing time that couldn't be beat. "We decided to give it a try at the first qualifier - it was definitely the biggest course she had done since we imported her. She was...

Note to Self: 1. Prepare classical instructor that you will be appearing before him in western tack and riding an Appaloosa stallion, NOT your third level Westfalen import and 2. Don’t ride in a clinic without a photographer A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…. I got a book from the library called The Schooling of the Western Horse by John Richard Young. It was published in 1945 (practically the dark ages) and outlined progressive training for western horses. Critically...

Heather Blitz and Paragon (Susan J. Stickle) Wellington, FL - Blitz and Paragon finished first in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDIO 3* with a 72.313%, narrowly beating fellow American Cesar Parra and Van the Man who finished second with a 72.208%. Shelly Francis (USA) and Doktor rounded out the top three with a final score of 70.646%. Judges for the class were: Linda Zang at E, Anne Gribbons at H, Mirabel Alonso at C, Joan Macartney at M, and Evi Eisenhardt at B. The three-day, three-test format...

Shelly Francis and Danilo (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, FL - Shelly Francis (USA) and Danilo clinched another FEI Prix St Georges victory on Friday afternoon with a score of 72.579% in the class presented by Peacock Ridge. Francis and Danilo were the only pair to break 70% in the class of nearly twenty competitors. Judges for the class were: Cesar Torrente at E, Stephen Clarke at H, Anne Gribbons at C, Lilo Fore at M, and Raphael Saleh at B. Brittany Fraser (CAN) and All In secured a second...

Daniel Bluman and Apardi (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The $20,000 Adequan 8-Year-Old Jumper Classic Final was the last class of the day with a win for Colombia's Daniel Bluman and Apardi, a KWPN stallion by Corland x Kannan, owned by Ricardo & Alberto Simhon. Sixty-seven entries showed in the class with 12 clear rounds to advance to the jump-off where only three were able to jump double clear. Bluman and Apardi completed the short course in the winning 39.640 seconds. Laura Kraut and...

Lars Petersen and Mariett Loxahatchee, FL - Lars Petersen and Mariett proved they were consistently in the zone for the second time in two weeks when they delivered another one-two punch by taking the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle at the International Horse Sport Champions Cup CDI-W. The pair achieved the same laudable results just two weeks ago at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W, also at the IHS Champions Park at Equestrian Estates. Saturday's Freestyle impressed the judges...

Rachel Boggus and Cassino Z (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Rachel Boggus and Cassino Z finished first in the Ariat National Adult Medal class during week eleven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The pair was ranked fourth with a score of 79 going into the test but secured their victory with a final score of 88. The top four called back for the test included week ten winner Sara Ballinger aboard Wanderprinz, who finished second with a final score of 87....