The tradition of elite show jumping competition with a European look and feel keeps some of the finest international equestrian athletes returning to the Jumper Classic, now in its 20th year. The 2009 Jumper Classic, with its premiere event, the $75,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix, will be held September 2-6 over Labor Day weekend at New England's finest equestrian show grounds, Silver Oak Equestrian Center, in Hampton Falls, NH. The five-day show, held for the past 19 years in early...

The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) of Aurora, CO, is proud to name its top point-earning amateurs for 2008. Natacha Lesburgueres of Louisville, KY, earned 532 points, becoming the adult amateur winner, while Collier McLeod of Augusta, GA, earned 522.5 points for the youth amateur top spot. The AHA Amateur Achievement Award program began in 2002 and has since tracked the points that individual riders, handlers and drivers earn each year. In 2008 the program was adjusted to recognize adults and...

The American Trakehner Association (ATA) is pleased to announce that the following five stallions were approved in 2008. —A’Osiris, owned by Raymond Bernier (Valley View Stable) of Milton, VT —Bond James Bond MB, owned by Elevages Mallet Barsalou of Quebec, Canada —Cardinali, owned by Jeanette Knight (Wolf Run Farm) of Buxton, ME —Imminence, owned by Jean Brinkman (Valhalla Farm) of Wellborn, FL —Tatendrang, owned by Ann Cottongim (Emerald Acres) of Alford, FL...

Wilbur "Sug" Utz, American Saddlebred trainer and owner of Blue Ridge Stables in Raytown, MO, died Wednesday, November 5, 2008. He was 90 years old. Sug, son of Emil and Sudie Utz, was born and raised on a farm outside Maysville in northwest Missouri. Coming from a horse training family, Sug learned his craft at his father’s side, along with his three brothers. Two of his brothers, Don and Jay, similar to Sug, went on to become world’s champion caliber Saddlebred men. They were all exciting...

With Grande Gil’s win at the American Royal in November, the five-year-old gelding has claimed the first American Saddlebred Triple Crown since 2004, sweeping the three-gaited open championships at Lexington Junior League, Kentucky State Fair and American Royal—the three shows which comprise the Saddlebred Triple Crown. The last Saddlebred to accomplish the feat in three-gaited was CH An Heir About Her in 2004. That same year, CH Boucheron took top honors at each of the Saddlebred Triple...

Lexington, Ky. - The United Professional Horsemen's Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association, American Hackney Horse Society and the American Road Horse & Pony Association joined the United States Equestrian Federation in supporting and applauding the recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement of new rules added to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) designed to end the practice of soring Tennessee Walking Horses and racking horses. Together we commend USDA's...

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Roxanne Trunnell (Rowlett, Texas) has been added to the U.S. Paralympic Equestrian squad for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 7-18. Trunnell will be entered as an individual in the Grade Ia division with Royal Dancer, Julia Handt’s 2005 Westphalian gelding. As a result of a Danish athlete withdrawing from the Paralympics, the Fédération Equestre...

Gladstone, N.J. - On Wednesday, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) named the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team - the last athlete-and-horse combinations selected to represent the U.S. at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With teams now selected in all four disciplines and preparing for Rio, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce an exciting new opportunity for donors who support athletes in Rio and beyond during the...

Devon, Pa. - The 120th Annual Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, just days away from getting underway for the 2016 season, will be featuring a full slate of equestrian action, including the all-new FEI Open Jumper division with a huge boost in prize money, the best professional hunter competition in America, the American Saddlebreds in all their glory, the majestic Coaching division and exhibitions that will thrill the entire family. It all kicks off on Thursday with the traditional Junior...

Rendering of the new arena The Plains, Va. -- Excitement continues to build for the 2016 Land Rover Great Meadow International, Presented by Adequan®, which will host the first-ever FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ competition outside Europe when it returns to Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia, July 9-10. In addition to the chance to watch world-class horses and riders in the Nations Cup, Eventing fans will also be able to cheer on our nation's best horses and riders on the Land Rover...