Lexington, KY - This weekend horses and riders will take their first steps toward earning a chance to represent the U.S. at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Dressage, to be held in Verden, Germany, in La Cañada Flintridge, California. Six horses will contest the 2012 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trials in the five-year-old division while one entry will show in the six-year-old division. These selection trials are being held in conjunction...

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...

Louise Serio and Corvine continue to lead the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus standings as of Saturday, May 19, 2012, during the second derby in the series, held during the Kentucky Spring Classic. (Shawn McMillen Photography/PMG) Lexington KY - Professional rider Louise Serio continues to hold the lead after the second part of the 2012 $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby came to a conclusion on Saturday, May 19, 2012 during the Kentucky Spring Classic. The Hallway Feeds...

Charlotte Jacobs and Kachina won the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship at the Saratoga Springs Horse Show (James Parker/Kathy Russell) East Aurora, NY - Young rider Charlotte Jacobs has kicked-off the spring show season with big wins during the Saratoga Springs Horse Shows, competing in the jumper, equitation, and hunter rings. Over the past two weeks, Jacobs piloted her mounts to championship honors in the High and Low Junior Jumpers, as well as top finishes in the $25,000 Saratoga...

Mette Rosencrantz enjoyed her three CDI class wins with "Mosegaards Rico" at Woodside. (Jennifer M. Keeler) Woodside, C A - Despite the pressure of National Championships in Gladstone, NJ hovering less than one month away, beautiful weather and a spectacular setting in California allowed dressage riders and horses to enjoy themselves at the Woodside Spring Dressage CDI*/Y/J in Woodside, CA, May 18 - 20, 2012. As a valuable qualifier for the Northern California region, horses and riders competed...

Laura Pfeiffer and Copperfield (Diana Hadsall) The Hunter-Jumper Association of Michigan Annual Horse Show saw record attendance this year at its 45th annual event and as such enjoyed a terrific USHJA National Hunter Derby with 46 total entries. Laura Pfeiffer, riding Fox Meadow Farm’s Copperfield, bested the all-star field by earning an overall score of 179 to take home the win to Temperence, MI. Pfeiffer’s score in the Handy round was a 92, which was the highest score of the Derby...

The 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team New Orleans, LA - In preparation for the 2012 Saddle Seat World Cup Competition in South Africa, the U.S. Saddle Seat Team attended their first practice, May 18-19 at Cascade Stables in New Orleans, Louisiana. This first practice session afforded riders the opportunity to prepare for World Cup competition. Team members had the opportunity to ride multiple horses unfamiliar to them, just as they will in South Africa. Additionally, this was the first time...

Reed Kessler leads the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series Leading Rider Standings - pictured with Cylana - (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington, KY - Young rider Reed Kessler of Lexington, KY, not only leads the U.S. Show Jumping Team Long List, but she has now claimed the top spot in the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Consisting of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park, the Hagyard Challenge Series...

Middleburg, VA - The first leg of the all new Taylor Harris Insurance Services $200,000 Triple Crown Challenge, America's richest rider bonus, is set for lift off just days from now at the legendary Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. This unique challenge offers a spectacular $200,000 top prize for any show jumping rider that can put together back to back to back wins on the same horse at three of the nation's most prestigious grand prix events. The first event of the Taylor Harris...

Kent Farrington and Venus won the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic at the Kentucky Spring Classic. (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington, KY - Kent Farrington concluded the Kentucky Spring Classic on a great note, claiming first and second during this morning's $20,000 Bluegrass Classic aboard Venus and Voyeur, respectively. With a baker's dozen in the jump-off, Farrington completed the fastest two double-clear efforts with the talented mounts. Young rider Michael Murphy earned the third place award...