Lexington, KY— The third day of the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF) 2008 National Pony Finals was an all day affair, starting with the pony hunters throughout the day then transitioning into pony jumpers in the evening. In true form, the pony jumpers added to the excitement of the day with the evening’s championship ending with Zone 7 on top with a total of 4 faults and the fastest team time of 188.037, winning the 2008 Adequan/USEF National Pony Jumper Team...

Will Simpson and Carlsson vom Dach (Shannon Brinkman) Hong Kong, China – The US show jumpers looked happy to stretch their legs tonight in the first Individual Qualifier. The main arena was turned over from a dressage ring to Grand Prix course tonight at Sha Tin as the jumping horses finally got a chance to play. 73 horses went to task over a beautiful course designed by Leopoldo Palacios and Steve Stephens. The US was the only nation with three double clear rounds. McLain Ward was the...

Hong Kong, China – After receiving the lowest score of her career (63.00%), all of Brentina’s connections were concerned that despite training absolutely phenomenally every day leading up to the Games, there may have been something physically wrong with the gallant 17-year-old Hanoverian mare. “She’s fitter and sounder than ever,” said her rider of 13 years, Debbie McDonald. “She’s been schooling so well but she was totally different in the ring than she was in the warm up. I was totally caught...

Lexington, KY— For the second year in a row, Lillie Keenan swept a championship at the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) 2008 Pony Finals. Last year it was the 2007 Wild Horsefeathers/USEF Pony Hunter Finals— this year, Keenan makes history once again with the top score in the small, medium and large Green Hunter Pony divisions and claimed the Grand Champion title of the 2008 Wild Horsefeathers/USEF Green Hunter Pony Finals. With perfect weather and temperatures in the low 80s, today’s...

Lexington, KY— The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) would like to extend its appreciation to EquiFit for supplying product to the United States Equestrian Team for the 2008 Olympic Games. EquiFit is the “Official Performance Horse Boot and Leg Wear of the USEF” and T-Sport Wraps and HoofSavers were provided to the equine athletes competing in Hong Kong. In addition, EquiFit provided several items from their new Agsilver line of products. 'We are thrilled that the Olympic Team...

Hong Kong, China – Steffen Peters, the anchor rider for the US Team, did everything he could to coax a brilliant performance out of Ravel to secure the team bronze medal. Courtney King-Dye and Mythilus (Shannon Brinkman) Peters really went for broke and finished the first Individual Qualifier in 10th place individually on a 70.00%, which wasn’t quite good enough for a team medal after teammate Debbie McDonald had a completely uncharacteristic performance on Brentina. Ravel, who is...

Lexington, KY— With 618 large, medium and small ponies entered in the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) 2008 Pony Finals National Championships, the competition is challenging with more ponies than the previous year. With a total of 414 riders ranging in age from six to seventeen, this five-day championship has young riders competing for the title of four championships— Wild Horsefeathers/USEF Pony Hunter Finals, Wild Horsefeathers/USEF Green Hunter Pony Finals, USEF Pony Medal and the...

Courtney King-Dye (Shannon Brinkman) Hong Kong, China – The first round of team competition got underway for the team portion of the dressage competition and Courtney King-Dye, from New Milford, CT, was the lone American to perform her Grand Prix test today based on the advantageous draw of the US team. The US team drew 11th of 11 teams so King-Dye and Mythilus were the second to last combination to go of the second rotation. They put in an excellent test with no mistakes, highlighted by...

Hong Kong, China – Gina Miles waved the flag for the US tonight at Sha Tin, winning an Individual Silver medal with McKinlaigh. The duo jumped two textbook clean rounds, adding nothing to their two-day score o Gina Miles and McKinlaigh (Shannon Brinkman) f 56.1. “I always knew he was the best event horse in the world,” said Miles. “He had his day to shine at the Olympic Games.” The 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse owned by Thom Schulz and Laura Coats stepped around...

Hong Kong, China – It was an interesting cross-country day at the Beas River venue today as 70 horses took on Mike Etherington-Smith’s eight minute cross country course. Not one horse achieved the optimum Gina Miles and McKinlaigh (Shannon Brinkman) time, and Australia’s Shane Rose (riding All Luck) was the only pair to have single digit time penalties. The Germans, on 158.10, took a slim lead over dressage winners, Australia (162.00), in the team portion of the competition....