Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna (Shannon Brinkman Photo) Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna are first-time competitors this year at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover, but their partnership goes back years. “My mom’s farrier, Dennis Ackerman at Pendragon Stud in Colorado, actually bred her,” Backus said of the Anglo-Trakehner mare. “So I’ve known her for her whole life. It’s been quite an adventure.” Backus, whose mother Laura...

Riding for Reading returns to the horse show arena for 2009 with five events, and two are in March. Riding For Reading, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to promoting reading, literacy and education through equestrian sports and activities. The Riding For Reading class is open to riders from first through twelfth grade, and it is an opportunity for competitors to earn grants for their school’s library. Since the program began, over 500,000 students have benefitted from Riding For Reading...

The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) announced that its only Triple Crown winner this year, WGC CH Breaking News, has been named Horse of the Year. The connections of the Horse of the Year will be honored at the ASHA Annual Convention during the Saddlebred Ball, Saturday evening, February 14, 2009, at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY. Rider/trainer Peter Cowart of West Wind Stables in Statesville, NC, will also be awarded with the Five-Gaited World’s Grand...

CH Extremely Fortunut is going for her sixth Devon three-gaited country pleasure championship with rider Molly Codeanne. (Doug Shiflet) The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair in Pennsylvania has been very good to the aptly named American Saddlebred mare CH Extremely Fortunut, who competes in the three-gaited country pleasure division at this show. Devon, a United States Equestrian Federation Heritage Competition that runs through June 4, also features top-class hunter, jumper, and driving...

Lexington, KY - The American Saddlebreds made a triumphant return into the fold of the Alltech National Horse Show on Wednesday night to the delight of the spectators. The favorite breed of enthusiasts like William Shatner and Carson Kressley, the breed is known for its style, stamina and its bold, high-stepping way of moving. Thursday evening at the Alltech National Horse Show, American Saddlebreds showed in Three-Gaited, Park Horse and Five-Gaited classes. "They're both three-gaited-...

Winning the Palmenblute Award is Stiletto *Ps*. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF ) Newark, OH - The American Trakehner Association is pleased to announce its 2010 merit awards, which recognize Trakehner horses registered with the association and having superior performance careers, and those individuals who have made significant contributions to the organization. Winning the Palmenblute Award is Stiletto *Ps* (by Martini *Pg*E* out of Suprecocious by Abdullah *Pg*E*), a stallion bred and owned...

Last Spring Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, debuted the first Boutique Horse Show at the historical Harmon Field in Tryon, NC, to rave reviews and numerous requests to repeat the event. He’s happily obliging on May 28-30. Bell created a new “definition” for this event that has not only become catchy among exhibitors, but with local residents as well. Boutique (boo teek) Horse Show -noun- A horse show that is fashionable and unique. Always held at wonderful venues with excellent...

Parker, Colo. - The Adequan®/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) concluded Sunday, July 31, at The Colorado Horse Park (CHP), bringing a close to competition, which featured three disciplines throughout the week including show jumping, eventing, and dressage. Carmen Holmes-Smith (18, Chase, B.C.) and Spartacus continued their move up the leaderboard after a double-clear stadium round Sunday and were presented with the CH-J* Individual...

Lexington, Ky. — Pony Club members used their horsemanship skills to ride their way to the medal podium at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) last week at the Colorado Horse Park. Pony Club by the numbers at NAJYRC: 43 NAJYRC participants have a Pony Club connection 7 Eventing Young Riders with a Pony Club connection were on the medal podium for the CICY2* 1 Current Pony Club member shared Team Gold in the CICY2* 5 Eventing...

American Quarter Horse Racing World Champion Be A Bono has moved to the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions. Be A Bono earned American Quarter Horse racing’s top honor when he was named the World Champion of 2004. He also earned champion three-year-old and champion three-year-old gelding honors for 2004. Owned and bred by the late Spencer Childers of Fresno, CA, the sorrel gelding was trained by Dan Francisco. Be A Bono was foaled February 22, 2001, and retired from racing as a...