International equestrian athlete Bjorn Ikast will return to the Colorado Horse Park this July to defend the two show jumping grand prix titles he claimed in 2004. Ikast will also attempt to become the only rider to win the Colorado Horse Park Triple Crown as he takes on some of the best riders in the country and from around the world. It is the quality of competition that attracts top riders like Ikast. “We go where we get the best service and the best value for our horse show dollar,”...

Rapid growth of vaulting in the eastern United States has resulted in more recognized vaulting competitions for area athletes this season. Region IX of the American Vaulting Association (AVA), covering all states from Maine to Mississippi, will be hosting the first East Coast Regional Vaulting Championships July 15-17, 2005, at Fairfax County’s Frying Pan Park, in Herndon, VA. The competition is recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation and the AVA and will contribute to national...

The third annual Arabian Horse Association (AHA) Sport Horse National Arabian and Half-Arabian Championship Show will be held at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, September 21-25, 2005. See Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians demonstrating supreme athleticism in 69 classes in four divisions: sport horse in-hand and under-saddle, dressage, pleasure carriage driving and hunter/jumper. “We strive to make it exhibitor friendly,” says Show Commissioner Cathy Gage. “We have beautiful...

Lili Weik Photography Jimmy Torano and Marcel - Winners of the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship (Lili Weik Photography) Saugerties, NY – With only one time fault to speak of in the second round of Sunday’s competition, Jimmy Torano of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and his mount Marcel, out-jumped 14 competitors to take home the Championship trophy, $30,000 in prize money, and the elegant Rolex watch at the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship in...

SAUGERTIES, NY (June 11, 2005)—The Rolex/USEF $30,000 Intermediate Match, the second leg of the $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship was won by Jimmy Torano riding Marcel, an eleven-year-old, 17H, chestnut, Belgian Warmblood gelding. Torano took second place in the first leg of the Championship, and his first place finish on Friday puts him at the top of the standings going into the last round. The Grand Finale of the Championship will take place on Sunday, June 12, when...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation invites everyone to attend an open forum on Wednesday, June 15, following the last class of the morning performance at the Midwest Charity Horse Show. For more information, visit the USEF booth, located on horse show grounds in Springfield, Illinois. USEF Chief Executive Officer John Long will lead the forum, accompanied by Mary Smith, Director of Licensed Officials, and Carrie Mortensen, Director of Breeds and Western Disciplines....

Boise, Idaho – Three-time Olympic show jumper Kathy Kusner was welcomed as one of the newest honorees to the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, June 8. Kusner joined fellow honorees Drew Bledsoe (Dallas Cowboys quarterback) and Louis Zamperini (1936 Olympic runner) for the induction ceremonies at the Boise Center on the Grove in Boise, Idaho. All were singled out for their efforts as role models and humanitarians at the 11th annual induction ceremonies. “I don’t need to...

Saugerties, NY (June 9, 2005) —Michael Walton of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, riding Elu De La Hardiere, a 13-year-old French stallion, raced to a top place finish in the Rolex/USEF $20,000 Opening Match—giving him the initial lead in the three-leg $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship. The Championship takes place over three days and the $20,000 Opening Match was an exciting speed class run under Table C specifications with faults converted into penalty seconds. The...

Gladstone, NJ – Some of equestrian’s top dressage riders are leading the list of entries for the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix and Intermediaire I Dressage Championships, presented by Paul Miller, Inc. Both Championships will take place at the USET Foundation Dressage Festival of Champions, June 16-18, in Gladstone, NJ. The riders who have been selected to compete in the 2005 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship are: George...

Lexington, KY – The USEF ParaEquestrian High Performance Committee has named the 2005 ParaEquestrian Advanced Rider List based on scores that the riders submitted to fulfill the published criteria. Those riders, in ranked order, are: Robin Brueckmann of Summerfield, NC, and Richmond (1997 Hanoverian gelding, owned by Robin Brueckmann) Barbara Grassmyer of Placerville, CA, and Mibis (1994 Dutch gelding, owned by Barbara Grassmyer) Rebecca Hart of Erie, PA, and Nordkap (1992 Hanoverian...