Breaking US Equestrian news releases contain the latest information regarding the organization, national championships, U.S. athletes and teams in international competition, breed news, and important member alerts. Manage the news you receive at the US Equestrian Preference Center.

Palmers Stand within Striking Distance of Podium Finish at 2014 FEI World Cup Vaulting Final

by Helen Murray | Feb 7, 2014, 2:03 PM

Bordeaux, France- The 2014 FEI World Cup Vaulting Final got underway Friday with all three sections of competition at the Bordeaux Exhibition Centre in Bordeaux, France. The United States’ sole entries, Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer Half Moon Bay, Calif.), vaulted to a fourth-place finish in pas de deux competition on Friday morning and stand in touch of a podium finish. Vaulting second in the order on lunger Wolfgang Rentz’s Leon 36, the Palmer sisters scored a 7.762 to lie less than...

David Jennings Gives Nandy Fontaine Brilliant Ride to Win $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, Presented by Zoetis

by HITS E-News | Feb 7, 2014, 12:29 PM

David Jennings and Nandy Fontaine were paired again by owner Emily Reiney and jumped to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, to top a field of 29 at HITS Ocala (ESI Photography) Ocala, Fla. - In front of a dedicated crowd of on-lookers at the HITS Ocala Winter Classic, professional rider David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee and Nandy Fontaine won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis for owner, Emily Reiney on Thursday. The blue was their first grand...

Ben Maher and Urico, Tiffany Foster and Victor Share Top Honors in $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5

by Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. | Feb 6, 2014, 11:27 PM

Ben Maher and Urico (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Week five of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued on Thursday afternoon with a shared victory for Ben Maher (GBR) aboard Urico and Tiffany Foster (CAN) riding Victor in the $125,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5. Held in a "California Split" due to the large number of entries, the competition awarded two sets of placings, each with $125,000 distributed. FTI WEF week five, sponsored by Rolex, runs...

Lars Petersen and Mariett Collect Another Top Prize at AGDF 5 CDI 4*

by Laura Cardon for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. | Feb 6, 2014, 10:46 PM

Lars Petersen and Mariett (Susan J. Stickle) Wellington, Fla. - Lars Petersen (DEN) and Mariett have become familiar faces in the winner's circle at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), and Thursday evening was no exception. Petersen topped the FEI Grand Prix 4* presented by The Dutta Corp. with Marcia Pepper's 16-year-old Danish Warmblood mare with a score of 70.960%. For his win in Thursday's class, Petersen was also presented with the Champion Equine Insurance Dressage...

AMHA Ranch Horse Network Reaches 50 Participants

by American Morgan Horse Association | Feb 6, 2014, 4:50 PM

Shelburne, Vt. - The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is pleased to announce it recently enrolled its 50th participant in the Ranch Horse Network™. The program, which is in its inaugural year, is designed to recognize farms of any size using Morgan horses for ranching activities and create a promotional venue. This program was designed with the western working "using" Morgan in mind. Whether there is one Morgan or 40 on a farm/ranch, this is an avenue to help promote the western...

Palmers Set to Make FEI World Cup Vaulting Final History in Bordeaux

by Helen Murray | Feb 6, 2014, 10:55 AM

Lexington, Ky. - The United States’ Kimberly and Cassidy Palmer are set to make history over the weekend as they compete in the pas de deux competition at the 2014 FEI World Cup Vaulting Final in Bordeaux, France. This is the first year the division will be held at the annual FEI championship as it joins the Individual Male and Female competition and will run February 7-8. The Palmer Sisters (www.barny-th.de) The Palmer sisters head to Bordeaux in strong form after earning top finishes...

Jeffery Welles Takes 1.30m-1.35m Jumper Top Finishes at the Ridge at Wellington's Wednesday Turf Tour

by Phelps Media Group, Inc. International | Feb 5, 2014, 9:47 PM

Jeffery Welles and Gummi Van Oz Wellington, Fla. - Jeffery Welles rode to the top of the leader board during today's Wellington Turf Tour 1.30m-1.35m Jumpers at Wolfstone Stables. Not only did he take the early lead in the first class aboard Gummi Van Oz, but he also rode to the top rank during the second class with Antaris S. Today also marked the second week of the five-week Young Jumper Championship Series, where Kevin Babington piloted KEC Pineapple Swirl to the first place finish in...

McLain Ward and Wings Soar to Victory in $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m Speed Class at #FTIWEF 5

by Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. | Feb 5, 2014, 8:58 PM

McLain Ward and Wings (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - The 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began its fifth week of competition on Wednesday with a win for two-time U.S. Olympic Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward and his mount, Wings, in the $34,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.45m speed class. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Cyklon 1083 led the way through a large part of the class, but were bested by Ward and Wings at the very end and finished in second place. Week five of the FTI Consulting...

ASPC/AMHR Announces 2013 High Point Youth of the Year

by JRPR | Feb 5, 2014, 5:02 PM

Morton, Ill. - The American Shetland Pony Club, Inc. (ASPC) Congratulates the 2013 Miniature High Point and Shetland High Point Youth of the Year Winners. Miniature High Point Youth of the Year Area 5 - Kimberly Cotter Area 5 - Heaven Leigh Davidson Area 3 – Claire Neinast Area 4 – Sarah Shough Area 4 – Mackenzie Schulte Area 8 – Sunny Balshaw Area 3 – Shannon Kehoe Area 4 – Zoe Rogers Area 4 – Allison Step Area 3 – Donna Basic Shetland High Point...

Rider Spracklin, Instructor Knappitsch Receive Dressage Foundation Grants

by The Dressage Foundation | Feb 5, 2014, 9:14 AM

Jessica Spracklin The Dressage Foundation's Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund has recently awarded a grant to young rider Jessica Spracklin and grants to professional instructors, Kathy Knappitsch and Patricia Deasy, to support their dressage education. Jessica Spracklin of Hamilton, OH, was awarded $800 to attend Lendon Gray’s 2014 Winter Intensive Training program. This three month program takes place in Wellington, FL, and creates well-rounded elite equestrian athletes. “My...