Mollie Kowalchik and Uccello Traverse City, MI - When Mollie Kowalchik walked into the Grand Prix Arena at Horse Shows by the Bay yesterday for the first time, she never dreamed that she would conclude the day with her first two major equitation wins in her young riding career. The 16-year-old Loveland, Ohio native captured top honors in both featured equitation classes by winning the USEF Talent Search Medal and the WIHS Jumper Phase. Aboard her 11-year-old warmblood Uccello, Kowalchik...

Genevieve Zock won the 2012 USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - As the sun began to set on the Kentucky Horse Park, the final work-off of the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic got underway. The prestigious championship prize was only a test away from being revealed, and four riders were vying for the top honors. It came down to Meredith Darst, Lillie Keenan, Hasbrouck Donovan and Genevieve Zock as they completed the final...

It began years before its inaugural date in 1993, this vision of an Arabian championship show for young people. Arabian horsemen have always applauded and supported their youth, and the current national show is a dynamic reflection of that recognition and energy. This year’s show officially began Saturday, July 21st, but there were also several days of Youth Clinics, Seminars and a Youth Convention that led up to first classes Saturday morning. There will be a total of over 130 classes at...

Victoria Colvin and Inclusive won the 2012 USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals Grand Championship. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The sweat beaded off the competitors' brow today at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was the final day of the USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals, and the final determinant would be the handy round. Today's second round course determined both Champion and Reserve Champion for each division, as well as overall High Point Mare, Reserve Grand Champion and...

Ken Berkley of Flemington, NJ, pictured aboard Ax-Cent, is leading the standings for the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc., at the halfway point of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Ken Berkley of Flemington, NJ, is currently leads the standings for the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc., at the halfway point of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset,...

Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...

Victoria Colvin and Inclusive lead USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals on day one of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The Kentucky Horse Park was filled with anticipation as the top Junior riders in the nation gathered for the first day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show to vie for the championship honors in the 2012 USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals. The entire year of competition has led to this point in their Junior career, with some continuing their...

The sixth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder When on a horse, I wear a riding helmet. My students wear riding helmets. I ride and show western and dressage. The helmet/hat quandary, style vs. safety, the tradition or common sense conversation is therefore a subject near and dear to my heart. On March 22, 2012, I went into the hay barn to get a bale of hay to feed lunch in the barn. To make a long story short, despite my usual care in tipping bales, as I turned to leave the...

Mary McCormick & Palatine (MacMillan Photography) Lexington, KY - Sixteen vaulters from around the U.S. visited the Kentucky Horse Park over the past weekend to compete in the CVI Kentucky and North American Young Riders Vaulting Challenge. CVIJ 2*, CVI 2*, and CVI 3* competitions were all held. In the 3* competition a familiar face finished atop the women’s division; Mary McCormick (Woodside, CA) scored 8.041 (she was the only vaulter to score above 8) on the Sydney Frankel owned...

Mary Jordan speaking to campers at USOC Olympic Day Photo courtesy Saco Parks & Recreation Department in Saco, Maine Saco, ME - As the London Olympics/Paralympics approach athletes have been promoting and creating awareness of this spectacular event. On June 29, 2012, the Official USA Olympic Day occurred where hundreds of Olympians and Paralympians participated around the country in interactive and informative public speaking events. Created by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC),...