Breaking US Equestrian news releases contain the latest information regarding the organization, national championships, U.S. athletes and teams in international competition, breed news, and important member alerts. Manage the news you receive at the US Equestrian Preference Center.

Hafner Takes Two Grand Prix Classes at Paragon CDI3*

by Andrew Minnick | 8/19/2013 11:48:44 AM

Estes Park, CO - With his 2012 Brentina Cup winner Lombardo LHF, Brian Hafner (Penngrove, CA) won two Grand Prix classes at the Paragon CDI3* over the weekend. On Friday, he won the FEI Grand Prix with a score of 66.745%. He continued to earn top results on Sunday in the FEI Grand Prix Musical Freestyle, winning with a 68.800%. Hafner also won the Prix St. Gorerge on Friday with California Chablis and finished second in both the Intermediare I and Intermediare I Freestyle classes. The...

Hugh Graham Captures $50,000 Grand Prix at CSI2* Orangeville International

by Starting Gate Communications | 8/19/2013 10:58:21 AM

Hugh Graham and Distant Star 3E won the $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix, presented by Kubota Canada & Stewart’s Equipment, on Sunday, August 18, at the CSI2* Orangeville International Show Jumping Tournament in Orangeville, ON. (Ben Radvanyi Photography) Orangeville, Ontario – Canadian Olympian Hugh Graham saved the best for last, winning the $50,000 CSI2* Zucarlos Grand Prix, presented by Kubota Canada & Stewart’s Equipment, on Sunday, August 18, at the CSI2* Orangeville...

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra Leap to Victory in $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix

by Mary Adelaide Brakenridge for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 8/19/2013 8:33:11 AM

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra (Phelps Media Group, Inc.) Lexington, KY - Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra returned to the Rolex Stadium with a vengeance after a close second place finish in Friday's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic. They edged out Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Eternal by less than .2 seconds in the jump-off to claim the title in today's $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington. Eight riders from the field of 31 starters advanced to...

Jennifer Bliss Rides to 1-2 Finish in the $10,000 GGT Footing 3'3" Hunter Derby at Fieldstone Summer Showcase I

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 8/18/2013 8:07:38 PM

Jennifer Bliss rode Extraordinary to the first place finish in the $10,000 GGT Footing 3'3" Hunter Derby on the final day of the Fieldstone Summer Showcase (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group) Halifax, MA - The Fieldstone Summer Showcase I ended Sunday with the much-anticipated $10,000 GGT Footing 3'3" Hunter Derby where Jennifer Bliss guided her two top mounts to the 1-2 finish. The derby has always been both a competitor and crowd favorite at the Fieldstone Show Park in Halifax, MA, and...

Liza Boyd and Brunello Named 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Champions

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 8/18/2013 8:11:58 AM

Liza Boyd, Brunello and Boyd's father and trainer Jack Towell sharing a moment following her win (Emily RIden) Lexington, KY - Liza Boyd and Brunello have consistently been top contenders at the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships, but they have always come just short of the victory. Saturday night at the Kentucky Horse Park Boyd and Brunello made the shot when it really counted, finally securing the win and earning the title of 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Tier I Champions....

Laura Kraut Re-Takes GCT Season Rankings Lead in Valkenswaard

by Global Champions Tour Press Release | 8/17/2013 2:25:48 PM

Valkenswaard, The Netherlands - U.S. star Laura Kraut is the new ranking leader after a Grand Prix full of drama was won in triumphant style by Alvaro de Miranda on AD Rahmannshof’s Bogeno. The shake up sets the stage for a thrilling final stage of the championship series at next month’s leg in Lausanne. The Brazilian champion set the arena on fire shaving a full four seconds off the time of Frenchman Simon Delestre. Dutch home rider Gerco Schroder had the capacity crowd on the edge...

Reed Kessler and Soraya de l'Obstination Win Speed Class in Valkenswaard

by GCT Press | 8/17/2013 11:36:46 AM

Reed Kessler and Soraya l'Obstination (Global Champions Tour) 2012 US Olympian and history-maker Reed Kessler was determined to shake off Friday's second place finish, and knowing the young 19 year old's competitive drive, Saturday was an opportunity to beat Friday's winner Patrice Delaveau and land a Longines Global Champions Tour winning title. Reed was aboard her new mare Soraya l'Obstination and won with an impressive time of 55.99 seconds; almost a whole second faster then...

Western Dressage: Balance

by Michelle Binder-Zolezzi of www.RelationalRidingAcademy.com | 8/16/2013 4:35:43 PM

Reprinted with permission from Cowboy Dressage Newsletter: August 2-4, 2013 “Build It and They Will Come” “Cowboy Dressage Competition debuted at Rancho Murieta Gold N Grand Horse Show Aug 2-4. Gold N Grand is known on the west coast for being the premier open horse show at one of the west’s top equine facilities. A record number of 183 entries for one discipline made history. It was Cowboy Dressage. This does not happen by accident. It happens because of hard work, a...

2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals Set to Begin

by Kathleen Landwehr | 8/16/2013 2:55:22 PM

Lexington, KY – The country’s top junior riders will head to Stanley Park Fairgrounds in Estes Park, CO to compete in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, held in conjunction with the Paragon Dressage CDI, August 15-18. Twenty-five riders from Connecticut to California will demonstrate their skills in hope of claiming a national title. The USEF Dressage Seat Medal program celebrates excellence in equitation and strives to develop a solid foundation for future success in the...

Horses From the Same Barn Shine at Inaugural USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Program Championship

by Edited from a Phelps Media Group, Inc. International Press Release | 8/16/2013 9:20:47 AM

Hunt Tosh and Casanova (Emily Riden) Lexington, KY - "It was a pretty easy decision considering both horses were coming from the same barn," Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, owner of Casanova said. "They have both been so good, there really was nothing else to ask of them. They were fantastic both days." Tosh added: "The great owners made a good decision. That was my gut instinct, but I never even had to say anything. They both came into the schooling ring and said neither one of them are...