Steffen Peters and Ravel, Anky van Grunsven and Salinero and Isabell Werth and Satchmo joined 15 other horse-and-rider combinations Monday to prepare for the Exquis World Dressage Masters Palm Beach this week that kicks off the 2010 lineup of the globe's richest dressage competitions. Anky van Grunsven watched her first ever polo game Sunday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, Isabell Werth worked Satchmo at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center while her sister, Claudia, wheeled...

Measured by nearly 1,000 horses stemming from 42 states and four foreign countries, nearly 1,950 entries, beautiful weather and plenty of extra activities, the American Paint Horse Association's first Fall World Championship Paint Horse Show is now complete. The split format was introduced this year with the Youth World Show being the focus of the summer event, while the Open and Amateur World Show, plus the slot classes and Breeders' Futurity, were the focus of the Fall World. The expanded...

On Saturday, the best horses and riders from the hunter divisions competed for the top prize in the $15,000 WIHS Hunter Classic Derby at the Washington International Horse Show. After two rounds of competition it was Scott Stewart, of Ocala, FL, and Way Cool that led the victory gallop after they earned a total score of 170.9. Earlier in the day the Washington Pony Equitation Classic Finals were held, with Madeyln Keck and Tango receiving the top call and earning the blue ribbon. The champions...

The opening day of the 2009 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) ended with an evening session for Children's and Adult Hunters. The two divisions each had a two-round $10,000 championship. Sienna Sumavielle rode Lexington to the win in the Children's Hunter Championship, while Ainsley Sadlo and Vermilion took first place in the Adult Hunter Championship. The 2009 WIHS runs through Sunday, October 25, at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. In the $10,000 Children's Hunter...

Dance and Gymnastics on Cantering Horses a Growing Spectator Sport at Kentucky Horse Park Equestrian vaulting came to the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time last week, with the United States Equestrian Federation and the American Vaulting Association crowning their national vaulting champions from July 9-12. “We’re excited to present the USEF/AVA National Vaulting Championships in the Kentucky Horse Park for the first time, and to be part of the fabric of the Horse Capital of the World,”...

The rain that plagued the Kentucky Horse Park yesterday was nowhere to be found as the Juniors took to the dressage arena today for their first rides of the competition. Today’s rides would decide the Team medals, and all the riders arrived in top form. Taking home the Team Gold medal was the Ontario, Canada, team. The team, made up of Maura O’Sullivan and Pik Czar, Zachary Ball and Karajan, Megan Lane and Caravella, and Alexandra Dvorak and Fling, finished with a total of 196.433. Team Ontario...

Sage Sapergia, riding Shiners Q Chex for Team Alberta, took top honors (Waltenberry) Reining joins dressage, show jumping, and eventing as the disciplines showcased at this year’s Adequan® FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, presented by Gotham North which hosts teams from Canada, Mexico, and the United States for a full week of competition. In its second year as a full-medal sport, this year’s SmartPak™ North American Young Rider Reining Championship...

A new trend in horse showing? Last fall Bob Bell, President of Classic Company, looked at his budget for the 2009 show season and decided there had to be some changes made. From May 22 to May 24, Bell will produce his first “Boutique” horse show in Tryon, NC, at the Harmon Field location, virtually in the downtown area, which only added to the new “definition” the show manager has created for these new events. Boutique (boo teek)—A horse show that is fashionable and unique. Always held at...

The American Miniature Horse Registry (AMHR) National Championship Show announced the two winning young authors of the Youth Essay Contest in Tulsa, OK, this month. The 2008 winners were Katherine Richey and Allison Payne, each of who was awarded a Miniature horse for their efforts. The Youth Essay Contest was open to all current junior members of the AMHR. In the 13 to 17 age group, Katherine Richey from Meridian, MS, wrote a charming piece on why she would be the best person to win the...

Two lucky youths won big with a small equine prize. At the American Shetland Pony Congress this month, two American Shetland ponies were awarded to winners of two youth essay contests. Youths from around the country exercised their writing skills for the chance to win one of these amazing Shetland ponies. Entries were numbered and judged anonymously. Kimberly Cotter was the lucky winner of E’s Sir Nite and Kasey Waxler of Pennsylvania was awarded Cross Country’s Mr. Banker. Kimberly Cotter, the...