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.

Jonathan McCrea Wins $75,000 Mirror Lake Inn GP of Lake Placid

by Marty Bauman/Classic Communications | 7/3/2011 4:50:00 PM

Lake Placid, NY — Jonathan McCrea gave Ireland its second consecutive win in the $75,000 Mirror Lake Inn Grand Prix of Lake Placid, presented by Intercat, Inc., when he rode Colorado to victory on the final day of the 42nd annual Intercat, Inc. Lake Placid Horse Show. McCrea’s win, for the Whitney Perpetual Challenge Trophy, follows the win of last year by countryman Darragh Kenny on Gael Force. Only five of the starting field of 24 reached the tiebreaking jump-off by riding without...

10 Questions with ... Dressage Superstar Guenter Seidel

by Stephanie Doyle | 7/3/2011 10:56:36 AM

Guenter Seidel and Aragon (Photo by Mary Phelps) Thank you USEF Facebook fans for your questions for Guenter Seidel. For the next "10 Questions With..." please visit www.facebook.com/USEquestrian Guenter Seidel Born : September 23, 1960 Hometown : Cardiff, CA Guenter Seidel is a native of Germany who moved to the U.S. in 1985 and has contributed significantly to U.S. dressage. Seidel helped the U.S. win the Team Bronze medal at three consecutive Olympic Games – 1996, 2000 and 2004 - with...

Pope, Cosper and Hartman Claim 2011 USEF National Youth Reining Championship Titles

by Stephanie Doyle | 7/3/2011 10:33:54 AM

Oklahoma City, OK - Michael Pope's 7-year-old horse, Whizota, "tried his heart out" and that determination edged the pair over their competitors into first place. Pope, Elizabeth Cosper and Olivia Hartman were crowned USEF National Youth Reining champions of three separate age groups at Saturday's 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby. The Youth qualified for the USEF Championships by earning points in Qualifying Classes throughout the country in 2010-2011. Pope, a...

Andrea Fappani Rides Tinker With Guns to the NRHA Level 4 Open Derby Championship

by Katie Hendrickson | 7/2/2011 10:00:21 AM

Oklahoma City, OK – The 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby showcased the $155,000-added Open Derby finals on Saturday, July 1 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Okla. The NRHA Derby Show is the NRHA’s premiere event for the world’s best four-, five- and six-year-old reining horses and hosts to two slates of ancillary classes. During the go-round, 428 entries competed for a spot in the finals with 69 of the top-scoring horse-and-rider teams...

Ruckman and Rufanicki Win Four NRHA Non Pro Derby Championships

by Christa Morris/NRHA | 7/1/2011 11:51:59 PM

Oklahoma City, OK – The 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby featured the $40,000-added Level 4 Non Pro; $22,500-added Level 3 Non Pro; $12,500-added Level 2 Non Pro; $7,500-added Level 1 Non Pro and $5,000-added Prime Time Non Pro division finals on Friday, July 1, at Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, OK. Out of the original 546 entries, the top 58 qualified to compete in Friday’s finals. Shaunda Rai Ruckman of Scottsdale, AZ, continued her stellar year...

Ward Flies Direct Flight from New York to Winners Circle at Spruce Meadows

by Spruce Meadows Media Services | 7/1/2011 9:35:40 AM

Calgary, Alberta, Canada - Two-time Olympic Gold medalist McLain Ward (USA) bested an international entry of 52 to score his first victory of the Spruce Meadows “Canada One” Tournament in the WESTJET Cup. Riding his 10-year-old Dutch gelding, Pjotter, Ward piloted two clear rounds, with a blazing trip around the jump-off course of 42.52 seconds to defeat American teammate Mario Deslauriers. Fourteen horse/rider combinations had advanced to the jump-off over the technically demanding...

Double H Farm's HH Narcos Du Marais & Christina Kelly Win the $32,500 Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 6/30/2011 5:26:00 PM

HH Narcos Du Marais owned by Double H Farm and ridden by Christina Kelly winner of the $32,500 Fairfield Grand Prix and the Callari Cup presented by Wells Fargo Advisors. From left to right: John E. Franzreb III, Catherine Herman, Laura Totten, Michel Nischan, George N. Venizelos, Alison Ashman, Jennifer Ross, and Lynn Coakley (Reflections Photography). Westport, CT - Christina Kelly aboard HH Narcos Du Marais owned by Double H Farm emerged victorious over a field of 24 competitors at the...

This Week in International Disciplines - June 30

by USEF Communications Department | 6/30/2011 11:10:20 AM

Mt. Eden Team (Primo Ponies Photography). Dressage At the CDI-W Milton in Canada, David Marcus competed two horses throughout the weekend. In the Prix St Georges class, Marcus and Don Kontes finished in fourth with a score of 66.711%, while he tied for fifth with Chevri's Capital with a 65.570%. Marcus once again had strong finishes in the Intermediaire I class, finishing third with Chevri's Capital with a score of 69.737% and fifth with Don Kontes with a score of 67.895%....

Jumper Ring Excites on First Day of Brandywine Valley Summer Series

by Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | 6/29/2011 10:55:11 AM

Joe Fargis and Mariposa triumphed in the 1.20M Open Jumpers at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series (Photo by Robyn Keyster/PMG). Devon, PA - Two lively jumper classes made for an eventful first day of the Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services in Devon, PA, this afternoon. Joe Fargis rode Mariposa to a victory in the the 1.20M Open Jumper class, while Amanda Hood piloted Hip Hop to a win in the Children's/Adult Jumper class. Both events were...

Non Pro Finalists Set at the NRHA Derby - 7 & Up Open Derby Debuts

by Katie Hendrickson/NRHA | 6/29/2011 10:48:38 AM

Oklahoma City, OK – The second section of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Non Pro Derby took over the Oklahoma State Fair Coliseum Arena on Wednesday, June 29. The non pro competition was stout with 167 horses and riders vying for their share of $87,500 in added money. Yesterday Jessica Sternberg of the United Kingdom and Smart Like Valentino (Smart Like Juice x Smart Little Jewel) made their presence known with a tremendous performance for a score of 221.5. Their lead...