Ashlee Bond and Wistful on their way to a win in the $54,500 HITS Grand Prix CSI-W2*, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Thermal with their sights set on a 2013 World Cup appearance. They topped 24 for the win. (Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, CA - Before the start of HITS Desert Horse Park’s $54,500 HITS Grand Prix CSI-W2*, presented by Zoetis, course designer Florencio Hernandez of Mexico said that his goal was to have between one and three clear. He landed on the low side of that...

Avery Hinson and Rio's Reflection (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Avery Hinson of New Albany, OH, bested a class of 29 junior riders during Saturday's Taylor Harris Insurance Service's (THIS) National Children's Medal class during week five of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Hinson led the class with her twelve-year-old Warmblood gelding, Rio's Reflection, with a score of 87 points. Maria Moore finished second aboard Angela Moore's...

Last year's riders in the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup. (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, FL - Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is pleased to announce details of the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm to be held at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival on April 11-14, 2013. The Nations Cup will test a new format for the Pan American Games, which are scheduled for Toronto in 2015. Along with welcoming teams that can compete in the Pan American Games, the...

This week I want to update you about some exciting new programs coming in 2013 for Western Dressage enthusiasts. As this discipline continues to develop, more tests are available, more shows are available, and more award programs vie for participation. The show and clinic calendars are filling up for the year and so much is happening. In January our local WSH Zone added year end awards for Western Dressage following the inclusion of Western Dressage as a subdivision of Dressage on the...

Schaefer Raposa and Jet Stream K (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The fourth annual Collegiate Equitation Challenge, hosted at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), took place Friday evening at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The top riders representing varsity teams from the National Collegiate Equitation Association (NCEA) competed head-to-head in a bracket format both over fences and on the flat. Schaefer Raposa, a freshman at Southern Methodist...

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Irish show jumper Shane Sweetnam is on a roll during week five of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) with a set of back to back wins in Friday's $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed and jump-off classes to follow up a victory in Thursday's $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic. All three wins were on Spy Coast Farm owned horses - the 1.45m aboard Everly Chin de la Pomme and Friday's 1.40m speed aboard...

Lori Sawyer-Lyons and Senna M (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Lori Sawyer-Lyons edged out the competition to win the Ariat National Adult Medal class during week five of competition for the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Sawyer-Lyons, of Fort Lauderdale, FL, rode Jimmy Torano's Senna M to first place. Sawyer-Lyons had a narrow margin of victory in a competitive class with the top three finishing only one tenth of a point apart. Sawyer-Lyons and Senna M...

Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 have often been among the top finishers during the first two weeks of the HITS Desert Circuit. Yesterday, however, they were the ones to beat in the $33,000 HITS Desert Classic, presented by Zoetis. It came down to speed as Bond and Cadett topped a 14-horse jump-off. (©Flying Horse Photography) Thermal, CA - The Grand Prix Ring at HITS Thermal was set with 15 jumping efforts for 42 horses Thursday, and the outcome came down to fractions of a second. In an electrifying...

McLain Ward and Zander (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Week five of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued on Thursday with a victory for McLain Ward (USA) and Zander in the $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5. The duo won over Great Britain's Ben Maher riding Quiet Easy 4 and Peter Wylde (USA) aboard Lewin 5. Week five of the FTI WEF circuit, sponsored by Adequan®, runs February 6-10. The week will feature the the $82,000 Adequan® CSI 2*...

Liza Boyd and Fieona (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Liza Boyd of Camden, SC, started her season at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) with big wins in the Gold Coast High Performance Working Hunter Division. Boyd was champion with Jack Towell and Kelly Maloney's Fieona and also took home reserve honors on Janet Peterson and Finally Farm's Quatrain. Boyd and Fieona, a nine-year-old Oldenberg mare, placed third under saddle and first in both over fences...