Shane Sweetnam and Solerina (Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington, D.C. - The $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice Costume Class is always an exciting event at WIHS, especially with Barn Night and thousands of young fans cheering on the riders. In tonight’s class, Irish rider Shane Sweetnam jumped to victory dressed as a keg of beer riding Sweet Oak Farm's Solerina. The duo earned 960 points over the course and jumped clean over the Joker fence for an additional...

Nayel Nassar and Lordan (Captured Moment Photography) Del Mar, Calif. - World Cup Week heats up with the thrilling iJump Sports Welcome Stake on Thursday evening. Out of fifty-two entries there were nine clear rounds, but Nayel Nassar aboard Lordan showed the most speed, completing the course in 65.10. Saer Coulter and Carmena Z were close behind in second, with Francie Steinwedell-Carver on Taunus riding to 3rd place. Lots more jumper action to come as riders gear up for the Rancho Valencia...

Kent Farrington and Blue Angel (Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington, D.C. - The 2013 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued on Thursday with the first day of classes for the Junior Hunters and several International Open Jumper and Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper classes at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The International Open Jumpers had two classes with a win for Kent Farrington (USA) and Robin Parksy's Blue Angel in the $33,000 International Open Jumper Welcome Stake. Top...

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Libby Law Photography) Pau, France – The first day of dressage began at Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4* with the first two combinations of the U.S. contingency performing their tests. With 40 competitors performing their dressage tests on Thursday in front of the judging panel of Angela Tucker (GBR), Christina Klingspor (SWE), and Alain James (FRA), Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot are currently tied in fifth place while Clark Montgomery and...

Becky Gochman and Sambalino (Shawn McMillen Photography, www.shawnmcmillen.com) Washington D.C. - The Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions concluded their second day of competition on Wednesday and awarded championship honors as well. The Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” championship was awarded to Becky Gochman of New York, NY, riding David Gochman's Sambalino. The pair earned the Frank Counselman Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Friends of Frank Counselman. Gochman was also...

Lexington, Ky. - During the USEF Mid-Year Board Meeting held on July 22, 2013 in Lexington, Kentucky, the Board of Directors voted to amend Bylaws and change the Federation's governance structure. Effective January 9, 2014, the Board of Directors will be streamlined to 19 members from the current 54. A chart depicting the new structure is available here . The new Board of Directors will include the three national officers; President Chrystine Tauber, Vice-President Ellen DiBella, and...

Mandy Porter and Chaya Cristalle, Winner of the 6 Year Old Jumpers (Captured Moment Photography) Del Mar, Calif. - Del Mar International World Cup Week gets underway Wednesday, and despite the stubborn fog, competition was a perfect way to kick things off. The Del Mar Arena saw plenty of jumper action, with the 1.10m and the 1.20m classes both boasting exceptionally large turnouts. Over in the San Diego Arena, hunters reigned, while the Durante Arena hosted a mix of hunter and jumper classes....

Kelley Farmer and Quotable (Shawn McMillen Photography, www.shawnmcmillen.com) Washington, D.C. – Day two of the 2013 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) featured the presentation of championship honors in the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Kelley Farmer was named Leading Hunter Rider after earning the overall Grand Hunter Championship with Quotable. Romance won the Grand Green Hunter Championship with...

Pau, France – Seven talented U.S. horse-and-rider combinations are ready to compete in Les Étoiles de Pau CCI4*. Taking place October 23-27 in Pau, France, an elite field of 75 is ready to take on the challenging CCI4*. With all horses passing the first horse inspection, 11 nations will be represented on the first leg of the 2013/2014 FEI Classics™. Competition grants have made it possible for the sizable U.S. contingency to attend the prestigious CCI4*. USEF Land Rover...

With the 2013 Pennsylvania National Horse Show behind us we (well, just me in this case) have taken a look at the video analytics, and I’ve learned two things. 1. Lillie Keenan is a star. 2. So is Victoria Colvin. Now that’s not a whole lot of insight, nor is it surprising. What is surprising is how much USEF Network Pennsylvania National Horse viewers love those two. As evidence, let's first take a look at the You Tube top five most watched Penn National videos. 1. 144 Lillie...