Breda, The Netherlands - Competition at the 2012 FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles commenced Thursday at the Outdoor Brabant in Breda, The Netherlands. All three competitors on the U.S. Team successfully completed their dressage tests and the team sits in 4th place on a score of 124.0 Veteran Diane Kastama's 57.40 was the best score of the day for the Americans and it has her tied for 13th individually. Kastama (Arroyo Grande, CA), who is driving the de Ronde's...

Greenwich, UK - The Para-Equestrian Dressage competition of the 2012 Paralympic Games kicked-off Thursday with Grade II and Grade 1b riders completing their Team Tests on a day that ran the gamut of English weather. The U.S. sent three representatives into the main arena with Rebecca Hart and Dr. Dale Dedrick competing during the Grade II morning session and Jonathan Wentz competing in afternoon Grade 1b competition. Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale (Shannon Brinkman) Riders for Great...

Bridgehampton, NY - McLain Ward, of Brewster, N.Y., won his second jumper class of the 37th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show on Thursday morning, guiding Vocas to the fastest clean jump-off round in the $7,5000 Prudential Douglas Elliman 1.45m Open Jumper class. Riding about halfway through the 35-horse class, Ward and Vocas recorded a faultless first round and then finished the jump-off clean in a time of 34.98 seconds to take the lead. They then withstood the challenges of 13 other horses in...

Grade 1b rider Jonathan Wentz talks about his Team Test Thursday afternoon; Jonathan Wentz (Richardson, TX) and Kai Handt's NTEC Richter Scale scored 70.364. Here are Jonathan's thoughts; On his test : “It was super; the accuracy was astounding. Richter was moving really forward; he loves this cold weather and rain. It’s good conditions for him. The walk tour was great and we will look to improve on that.” On his favorite part of the test: “The halts. Richter has...

Para-equestrian drivers and their supporters enjoyed some time off and toured the Hague on Monday. They got an up-close look at Queen Beatrix's Golden Coach Breda, The Netherlands - International para-equestrian drivers are in Breda, The Netherlands right now ready to compete at the 2012 FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championships for Singles. The first vet check took place Wednesday and the three horses that will be driven by Americans passed with ease. Athletes schooled in dressage today...

Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville at the 2011 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (StockImageServices.com) Stamford, England - The United States will be represented by six talented combinations at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, August 30-September 2. A total of 85 riders from 10 nations are slated to contest one of the toughest CCI4*s in the world. Three of the U.S. entries have benefitted from Land Rover Competition and Training Grants, spending the summer training and competing in...

Bridgehampton, NY - Irish rider Ronan McGuigan scored a narrow victory on Capall Zidane in Wednesday morning’s $7,500 Wolffer Estate 1.4m Open Jumper class, but McLain Ward, a two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist, galloped to victory on Lucky Lord 20 in the afternoon’s $7,500 Equinimity 1.45m Open Jumper class, presented by Ariat. McGuigan, 38, now lives in Far Hills, N.J., and with a time of 55.46 seconds, he topped an Irish sweep, as Shane Sweetnam took second on Elastique (56.50)...

Wellington, FL - Equestrian Sport Productions announces that the ESP Labor Day Show, held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), will continue as scheduled on August 31-September 2, 2012, with adjusted start times on Friday, August 31. Despite 14 inches of rainfall in the Wellington area over the past three days, the PBIEC has drained the water quickly and the footing remains safe and sound. The ESP Labor Day Show is an "A" rated, 3* Jumper show. On Friday, August 31, the...

Bridgehampton, NY - Scott Stewart, of Wellington, Fla., won the Triple Crown Custom high performance hunter championship, along with two other hunter championships, on Tuesday and Wednesday at the 37th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. Stewart, 48, guided Garfield, 9, to the Triple Crown Custom high performance hunter championship, Dedication, 7, to the second year green hunter championship, and Enjoy, 6, to the first year green hunter championship. Garfield won all five of the...