Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will be well represented at the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final April 27-May 1 as 10 American show jumpers will head to Leipzig, Germany for the 2011 Final. After 29 World Cup Qualifying Events throughout the 2010-2011 season the following riders have qualified in this order in their respective Leagues: East: Michelle Spadone/27/Califon, NJ Margie Engle/53/Wellington, FL Beezie Madden/47/Cazenovia, NY McLain Ward/35/Brewster, NY Charlie...

Wellington, FL - The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) had a very full and exciting week of competition during week 11. The FTI WEF hosts the best that the sports of show jumping, hunters, and equitation have to offer in 12 rings of competition. Laura Kraut and Cedric Capture $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center experienced one of its biggest crowds ever on Saturday night as more than 7,000 spectators filled the stands to watch...

Meredith Darst with Won Up and Mapleside Magic Dancer (Photo by Sportfot.) Wellington, FL - It is the last day of action for week 11 of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which means that numerous championships were awarded throughout the day. One place where there was a particularly large amount of awards being given out was Pony Land. Rings 11 and 12 were packed with children and their ponies and family members. Competition was fierce as they vied for some last minute points in their...

Mario Deslauriers and Cella. (Photo by Sportfot.) Wellington, FL Week 11 of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival concluded on Sunday afternoon with a victory for Mario Deslauriers (USA) and Cella in the $30,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic Finale. Deslauriers and Cella, owned by Jane F. Clark, were the only pair to master the course with double clear rounds for the win. Guilherme Jorge of Brazil designed the courses in the International Arena this week and concluded the...

Rudi Kronsteiner and Finest Copyshot. (Photo courtesy NRHA.) Kreuth, Germany – The 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) European Futurity & NRHA Show started in Kreuth, Germany today with the first section of the $187,000 added Open Futurity go round. A total of 81 four-year-old reining horses from all over Europe were shown in Ostbayernhalle to kick off the first day of the weeklong show. Austrian Rudi Kronsteiner, 2010 NRHA European Futurity Level 4 Open Champion, had the best run...

Laura Kraut and Cedric (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center experienced one of its biggest crowds ever on Saturday night as more than 7,000 spectators filled the stands to watch Laura Kraut (USA) and Cedric race to victory in the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* during week eleven of the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Kraut and Cedric won two grand prix classes in a row earlier in the circuit with victories in the $78,000...

The festival atmosphere started early as tailgaters prepared to welcome their expected guests. Tents were raised, tables set with colorful clothes topped with trays and baskets of food, coolers were filled with ice and beverages to keep everyone hydrated and happy during the warm day. With thousands of spectators expected, many arrived early to ensure a seat with a good view of the 80 some competitors who would fly though the obstacles. Volunteers took their places to wait patiently for the...

Ocala, FL - Four United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Driving National Championship titles are at stake at the 2011 CAI-B Live Oak in Ocala, FL, as Ponies (four-in-hand, singles and pairs) and Horse Pairs vie for top honors. The first phase of competition for the FEI classes - dressage - is now complete. Shelly Temple of Windsor, SC, put herself well ahead of the competition, winning the FEI Single Pony dressage with a score of 41.60. Driving her Morgan LR Ami B-Line, Temple was happy...

Jim Kofford as Batman. (Photo by Alyson Sanderford/PMG.) Wellington, FL - Last night, the world famous Player's Club hosted the grand finale of Dressage Under the Stars, where at the end of the evening, Jim "Batman" Kofford was crowned the series champion. During the evening, the winners from the previous weeks returned to compete for the 2011 championship including Chris Von Martels, Jim Kofford, Marcia Kulak, Dottie Morkis, and Emily Kannenstine. Judges for this week included Todd Flettrich,...

Jumping The final Grand Prix of the HITS Ocala show season resulted in a resounding win by Kent Farrington, who ended up finishing first and second and with three horses in the top five. Farrington stormed to the win in the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group on Top Gun to give himself a clear victory over his second-placed horse: Uceko. Both flashy grey horses jumped two clear rounds for Farrington, Top Gun was faster by more than a second....