This has been a tough and maybe even heartbreaking WEG for Team USA in many disciplines. I think some are wondering if we perform better when we're not on home turf. The reining team was victorious (as they have been since reining’s debut at WEG in 2002). We didn’t have enough endurance riders finish (due to one thing or another—all normal occurrences in endurance) to have a team standing, the dressage team finished fourth, just out of the medals, as did the eventing team....

Upper Marlboro, MD —Oct. 6, 2010 – John French and Small Affair made a big impression at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. With breathtaking efforts during the two-round $15,000 WCHR Professional Challenge, the bay French-bred gelding soared to victory with a score of 182.99 for owners Iwasaki & Reilly. Although French has contested the class on many previous occasions—and placed second in 2009—this was the first time he claimed the WCHR Professional Challenge and the Little Book Trophy,...

Robin Brueckmann and Raison D'Etre (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - Today provided riders competing as individuals on the Kentucky Equine Research U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team their first opportunity in the competition ring and it was a second test for some of the riders who competed in yesterday's Team test. The U.S. had six riders contest the Grade III and IV Individual Championship Tests at the FEI World Para Dressage Championships. Riding as an individual at her...

Laura Kraut and Cedric. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF.) Lexington, KY – On a cool Kentucky fall evening, the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games continued with the final of the Team World Jumping Championship presented by Rolex at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Hopes for U.S. medal were high as the home country was represented by four of the most experienced and successful riders in the world. Coming into the final in third place (with just over a point separating the top...

F.A.C.E. Vaulters for the U.S. Vaulting Team (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - It was a busy day in the Alltech Arena at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games as the Vaulting World Championships got underway with both the Team Compulsory Test and the Male and Female Individual Compulsory Tests. The Gold Medalist from the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany was back to defend her title today. Megan Benjamin, 22, of Saratoga, CA, performed her individual...

Chris Nelson and Inside Out in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix (Photo by © ESI Photography ) CULPEPER, VA (October 6, 2010) -- HITS, Inc. capped off an exciting and record-breaking season when its 35th week of show-jumping competition came to a close on Sunday, October 3 at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia. The final week of horse shows for the 2010 HITS season was highlighted with a variety of special classes that had top-notch prize money for both jumper and hunter riders. Without a...

Today’s course must have been tricky. The time was tight. It started out at 82 seconds allowed, and Lauren was the first in the ring of today’s 119 riders—a TOUGH spot to be in. After Lauren’s round they upped the time allowed to 84 seconds, which was still quite tight for many riders. Rails were falling all over the course and many feet/hooves landed in the water. It was obviously tough and technical. So many of yesterday’s stars didn’t do so hot today. It...

Laura Goldman and Carlingford JD (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - The FEI World Para Dressage Championships kicked off today with riders competing in the Team Test. The Kentucky Equine Research U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team fielded a group of four riders, three of whom were new to the international stage for the team competition. Jonathan Wentz, Laura Goldman and Susan Treabess all represented the U.S. for the first time at the championship level, with the 2000 and 2008...

McLain Ward and Sapphire (Photo by Shannon Brinkman for USEF) Lexington, KY - After a fantastic start to the Individual competition on Monday, four members of the U.S. Show Jumping Team returned to the Rolex Stadium as the Jumping World Championships presented by Rolex began on Tuesday morning at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY. Monday's action set the stage for big things for the U.S. Team after two riders ended the Speed Round in the top two places. Mario...

Lexington, KY - The Horse Inspection for the Vaulting World Championships at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games took place this morning. In total, 55 horses were presented as both teams and individual vaulters may compete on the same horse. In the Individual Men's and Women's Competition there will be 56 vaulters and 37 horses that will represent 19 countries; 12 countries will compete as teams. Of the 55 horses presented, five were held and three passed upon re-inspection. Unfortunately,...