On September 25, at the “Half-Way There” celebration marking the two-years remaining until the opening of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games at the Kentucky Horse Park, park Executive Director John Nicholson announced several major horse shows that have just signed contracts to hold their events in 2009 in the new indoor arena, which is currently under construction. Nicholson stated, “Kentucky’s investment in our new indoor arena is already paying off. For several years the managers of a...

The deadline for the Fifth Annual United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) Classics Incentive Yearling and Two-Year-Olds In Training Sales is Friday, October 10, 2008, which will be held at the UPHA/American Royal National Championship Horse Show. Yearlings purchased through the 2008 sale will be eligible in 2010 to compete for UPHA Classics Incentive Money. Two-Year-Olds in training purchased through the 2008 sale will be eligible in 2009 to compete for the UPHA Classics Incentive...

The Missouri Breeders Challenge Stallion Service Auction will be held Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at the United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA)/American Royal in Kansas City, MO, at the Exhibitor’s Club immediately following that evening’s performance. A buffet catered by Kansas City’s famous Jack’s Stack BBQ will be served preceding the auction. The 2008 Missouri Breeders Challenge Weanling Stake Class will be held at the American Royal as part of the Tuesday evening performance...

Courtney King-Dye, a member of the U.S. equestrian team's three-member dressage squad that competed at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, China, rode Mythilus to a 13th place finish individually and helped the U.S. to finish in fourth place overall by placing seventh in the grand prix, the team round of competition. King-Dye was the highest placed U.S. rider in the grand prix. She qualified for the grand prix special and then was one of only 15 riders to qualify for the grand prix freestyle....

The World Games 2010 Foundation announced Blue Grass Airport as the official airport of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. “Blue Grass Airport will be the gateway for thousands of visitors to experience the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010,” said Michael Gobb, Executive Director. “From almost any destination in the world, passengers can fly into Lexington, KY, with just one stop. We are excited to provide visitors, media and athletes with their first impression of the region....

A new round of multimillion dollar improvements to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center are under way to prepare for the winter circuits. The latest phase of improvements focus on substantial upgrades to footing in competition arenas and enhanced exhibitor and spectator experiences for the 2009 Winter Equestrian Festival and the holiday circuit in December. Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, (ESP) that manages the horse shows at PBIEC for the facility owners, Wellington Equestrian...

The aftermath of Hurricane Ike made for a rainy Saturday afternoon of show jumping at the second annual Evergreen Invitational in Wisconsin, about 60 miles north of Chicago. Top riders Margie Engle, Scott Lenkart and Maggie Jayne, rode clear in the $75,000 Grand Prix, but had no jump-off on account of the weather and footing. The constant rain from Friday, which continued through Saturday, didn’t discourage the 17 riders who competed in the grand prix at M.K. Pritzker's 230-acre farm. Scott...

Sixteen days of eight world championships are officially scheduled for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The competition schedule was released on September 22 by the World Games 2010 Foundation. A detailed competition schedule is now available online. "This schedule is certain to provide an exciting variety of top sport on each of the 16 days of the Games," said Competition Director Kate Jackson. "Spectators will find events of interest every day and will be entertained by the beauty...

An abundance of high-performance riders will call HITS Culpeper home this week as show jumping for the United States Grand Prix League (USGPL) Finals began on September 24 with the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix taking the stage on Sunday. Headlining the feature class is Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood who comes to the USGPL Finals with the Silver medal she earned as a member of Team Canada during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Hong Kong. The well-decorated grand prix rider won the...

Final preparations for the 15th annual Capital Challenge Horse Show are under way at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The show begins on Saturday, September 27, continuing through Sunday, October 5. The first weekend features the Taylor Harris Insurance Services National Children’s Medal Finals and the Monarch International North American Junior and Adult Equitation Championships. Horses and riders are streaming in from all parts of the country to join in the...