By Bob Langrish (Beezie Madden and Authentic in the Main Stadium in Aachen, Germany.) (Aachen, Germany)— The 16 efforts put in front of the 116 show jumpers going round during the 1st qualifier and speed class for the individual and team FEI World Championships in Aachen were a bit more than a few could handle. And for Team USA, there were few bumps along the road translating into less than a handful of downed rails in a windy Main Stadium. Over the day, six horses were eliminated, and...

Bob Langrish (Vaulter Megan Benjamin won an Individual Gold medal.) (Aachen, Germany) – It all came down to one minute. It was years in the making, but it came down to one minute in Aachen, Germany, and when that one minute was over, 18-year-old Megan Benjamin of Saratoga, CA, was the first female American vaulter ever to take a world championship. For the past 20 years, a German woman has always held the title of World Champion, and Germany has also won 23 of the last 30 world championships....

Steffen Peters finished fourth yesterday in the grand prix special with a 75.200%, just out of the medals. They finished sixth tonight in the musical freestyle on a score of 78.600%. (Bob Langrish) Crowds were spilling out of the 2006 World Equestrian Games on Saturday, with record crowds jamming not only the dressage freestyle, but the cross-country course, as well as the show grounds. Across the day, more than 44,000 fans of eventing were on-hand; 40,000 tickets were sold (and 60,000 were on...

Bob Langrish (Steffen Peters aboard Floriano finished in fourth place in the grand prix special during Friday's dressage competition in Aachen.) (Aachen, Germany)—To say it was tough competition today in the dressage grand prix special at the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG) would be a gross understatement. But two Americans made it look like a walk in the park. American’s Guenter Seidel and Steffen Peters, who are now both poised to enter a showdown among the top 15 dressage...

The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) will induct Major Robert Borg, Sarah (Sally) Swift, and Roemer into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame (HOF) at the Salute Gala on November 30, 2006, at the USDF National Convention & Symposium in Kansas City, MO. Inclusion in the Hall of Fame is an honor bestowed on horses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of dressage in the U.S. Major Robert Borg (1913-2005), as well as being a competitor, trained the horses...

Heidi White leads the Americans in the dressage phase of eventing at the 2006 WEG in Aachen, Germany. (Bob Langrish) (Aachen, Germany)—A brand new cross-country course awaits the eventers as they begin their first of three phases at the 2006 WEG. But before they can take to the new course (which will be contested in the short format without steeplechase), there are two days of dressage. And if the morning of the first day is any indication, it will be a cold and wet ride. In addition, it...

Photo by Bob Langrish (Guenter Seidel and Aragon on the first day of dressage competition.) Aachen, Germany—Europeans know how to do dressage. Each country brought their best to the table today, including their fans. The crowd was filled with foam fingers, waving flags, funny hats and colorful scarves. It looked more like an American football game and sounded like it when certain competitors finished their test and left the stadium. The rain held off, the sun tried unsuccessfully to break...

At the Blowing Rock Horse Show series, held July 26-August 6, Over the Hill Farm had more stellar performances from their horses and riders. They took home five grand hunter titles and five trophies from the horse show. Once again, young Taylor Ann Adams of Eads, TN, was the star of the show. Adams was named the Best Child Rider on a Pony and won the Evelyn O. Faulkner Trophy. She was also the Leading Point Rider on a Horse and Pony and will have her name etched on the Jennifer Cox Memorial...

Ariat International, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of English and Western riding boots and apparel, will debut its newest collection of technologically advanced apparel to the world when it launches its USEF Apparel Collection at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) beginning August 20 in Aachen, Germany. Ariat’s USEF Apparel Collection includes Shadbelly and Pinque coats, polo shirts, button-down oxford shirts, lightweight wind and water-resistant jackets, waterproof jackets,...

Olympic medalists David O’Connor and Lisa Wilcox are set to contribute their equestrian expertise to The HorseTV Channel’s coverage of the ultimate equestrian competition - the 2006 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany. O’Connor and Wilcox will deliver extensive interviews with top competitors and present feature stories, giving viewers a rare glimpse into behind-the-scenes action at the WEG. The Games take place from August 20 to September 3 and feature the world’s best...