Indio, CA – With only two World Cup qualifiers left for the West Coast League, Nicole Simpson stakes a new claim in the top spot, positioning herself 15 points ahead of second ranked rider Joie Gatlin. Simpson now boasts an impressive 81 points to Gatlin’s 66. Last week’s first-ranked Richard Spooner is in third place following this latest qualifier, with 65 points. These top contenders are among nearly 30 West Coast riders vying for the three World Cup spots the League is...

Wellington, FL —With seven World Cup slots hanging just out of reach, and the possibility of two wild cards factoring in, East Coast League riders hold a collective breath as the latest round of qualifying points is tallied. After eight rounds of competition, the rivalry stays ever close, with McLain Ward emerging the new leader as the group takes a short recess for the Winter months. Closely following Ward’s 92 points are Kimberly Frey with 81, Laura Kraut with 72, and Lauren Hough...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to introduce the 2019 Equestrians of Honor. For the first time, an International Equestrian of the Year and a National Equestrian of the Year will be named for their achievements in 2019. Winners are determined based on the results of online voting , which is now open through Thursday, January 2, 2020, at midnight. The 2019 International and National Equestrians of the Year will be awarded on January 10, 2020, during the 2019 Pegasus Awards...

Ryan Wood and Powell (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Mill Spring, NC. - Preceding the final day of competition at the 2016 Nutrena® USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover, horse and rider combinations from numerous divisions continued to display their talents in front of a supportive crowd at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). The Adequan® Advanced Gold Cup Finals division saw change in leadership, as Marilyn Little and RF Demeter retired on course to give Ryan...

Maggie Jayne and Frosted Blue win the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Chicago Festival of the Horse (Allyson Lagiovane/Phelps Media Group) Wayne, Ill. - The final day of World Championship Hunter Rider week at the Chicago Festival of the Horse began differently than most. David Cormalleth played tribute to the late Russel Frey with a rendition of "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes before riders in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby entered the Grand Prix arena to compete...

Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisshop (Devaney Iglesias/Phelps Media Group) Wayne, Ill. - After a gallop to the final line and a double-clear effort, the crowd at Lamplight Equestrian Center rose to their their feet and cheered for Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisschop. The 17-year-old was all smiles as she crossed the finish line, while her mount soaked in the applause and celebrated their victory in the $75,000 Grand Prix at the Chicago Festival of the Horse. "He knew he did well,"...

Michael Morrissey and La Lopez 3 were the only horse and rider to jump double clear to take the win in the 1.40m Jumpers at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. (Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, Mich. - Jumper competition continued in the Grand Prix Ring at Flintfields Horse Park on day two of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) with the 1.40m Jumpers highlighting the day's events. Michael Morrissey pulled off the win on La Lopez 3 as the last of 20 to challenge the...

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl won the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3* at the Kentucky Spring Classic. (Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - The Kentucky Spring Classic's main event, the $130,000 Mary Rena Murphy Grand Prix CSI3*, was an unforgettable one as Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl pulled off their third FEI win for the week. The win was extra meaningful to Minikus as it honored his dear friend and horsewoman Mary Rena Murphy. "I've been coming to the...

Cassie Kahle and Diario were victorious in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Blue Rock Classic. (Rebecca Walton/PhelpsSports.com) Littlestown, Pa. - Cassie Kahle's winning performances at the Blue Rock Classic continued on Friday when she kicked-off the day with a one-two finish in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Swan Lake Horse Shows. She led from start to finish aboard Great Span LLC's Diario, earning scores of 94 in both the classic round and the handy round....

Todd Minikus and Quality Girl won the $35,000 Welcome Speed CSI3* to kick-off the Kentucky Spring Classic. (Taylor Renner/Phelps Media Group) Lexington, Ky. - Speed was the name of the game Wednesday afternoon as the Kentucky Spring Classic kicked off with the $35,000 Welcome Speed CSI3* in the Rolex Stadium with Todd Minikus (USA) and Quality Girl, owned by the Quality Group, racing around the speed course in a time of 65.530 seconds to take the top prize. Thirty-six horse and rider...