The stars were out at the L.A. International Horse Show (Sep 21-25), particularly at the $50,000 L.A. International Grand Prix, a World Cup Qualifier, where performances in the ring kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. Sixteen riders tackled Michel Vaillancourt's course in LAEC's indoor arena, but it was the youngest of them all, Saer Coulter (Markus Beerbaum, trainer), who was the only rider to go double clear and clinch the top title. The excitement started early in the class,...

Devon, PA - More than 35,000 spectators enjoyed the equine entertainment and education provided by more than 700 horses (and their riders) at this year’s Dressage at Devon. Tuesday through Thursday featured the breed division in which young horses, from weanlings to six-year olds, shown both in-hand and under saddle, had their day in the sun (or in the rain depending on the time of day). Friskiness dominated the younger classes as their handlers worked hard to show off their charges. The...

Morgan Geller and Fabricio. Photos © CapturedMomentPhoto.com. San Juan Capistrano, CA - Drawing riders from across the nation, the USEF National Junior Hunter Championships-West Coast event was an action-packed two days of great sport and a chance for the Junior Hunters to stand center stage as they displayed their talents in three phases: a handy hunter round, a classic round, and an under saddle phase. When the dust settles, it is the horse with the highest cumulative score that takes home...

Well, we finally made it to Lexington yesterday around noon. My dad and I came as the “advance crew” to make sure everything would be ready for our team’s horses when they got here. We got all the bedding and the stall signs put up and everything else we could think of. Mr. Randy had an ETA of around 1 A.M. As it sometimes happens, things did not go quite according to plan. They rolled into the park around 5 o’clock this morning, exhausted from the all-night drive. So,...

Emma Schauder won the WIHS Equitation Classic on Thursday, July 7, at the Vermont Summer Festival horse show in East Dorset, VT (David Mullinix Photography). East Dorset, VT — Emma Schauder of Greenwich, CT, won the WIHS Equitation Classic on Thursday, July 7, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The six-week equestrian competition is running at Harold Beebe Farm from July 6 through August 14, 2011. Schauder, 16, won both the hunter and jumper phases of competition...

Oklahoma City, OK - The 2011 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby slid into its second day of competition with the first go, first section of the $87,500-added Non Pro Derby and completed the go-round in the $155,000-added Open Derby. The Oklahoma City, Okla. show also welcomed 12 ancillary classes in the Adequan® Championship Arena. In the $155,000-added Open Derby, the lowest score to qualify for the finals, also known as “the bubble,” in the Level 4 was 221, Level...

Louise Serio and Do Tell earned the High Perofrmance Hunter Championship at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show (Photo by Holly Whiteman/PMG). Lexington, KY - It was another beautiful day at the Stonelea Ring for horses and riders showing during the first week of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows at the Kentucky Horse Park. On this summer-like day, competitors showcased their talents, leading up to the championship and reserve championship prize in the professional hunter divisions, presented later in...

Reno, NV - Make your plans to attend the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) hunter/jumper “Super Clinic” this September in Reno, NV. Lots of fun extracurricular activities are planned. The schedule is as follows. Saturday and Sunday, September 3-4: USHJA Trainer Symposium at Maplewood Stables Saturday evening, September 3: BBQ hosted by Julie Winkel at her home Sunday evening, September 4: Certified Jumper Schooling Supervisor Training Monday daytime, September 5: Jumper...

Folks, the drought is over. With a score of 78.542%, Steffen Peters and Akiko Yamazaki's Ravel rode to the first individual dressage world championships medal for the US in...well, a long time. On a day when a number of horses looked a bit tired from the Grand Prix exertions of the past few days -- exacerbated, perhaps, by a temperature spike that pushed the mercury up around 80 -- some of the top competitors actually seemed more relaxed and able to deliver better performances. Ravel was...

As a member of the press, I especially enjoy press conferences. Of course, prior to these events I try to think of things that I’d like to ask or have explained in more detail than what is on the surface. Today, the World Equestrian Games Foundation held a press conference during a lunch break of the first day of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event to bring the press up-to-date on preparations for the big event. One thing I especially enjoy about press conferences is the...