The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) acknowledges today’s announcement by the FEI that Sapphire (McLain Ward) was incorrectly eliminated from the second round of the FEI World Cup Final in Geneva on April 16, 2010. “We’ve had full faith in the outcome of this unfortunate situation since the beginning,” said David O’Connor, President of the USEF. “There could not have been a different result. The McLain/Sapphire combination has had and will continue to have the full support of the USEF....

After a full investigation into the facts surrounding the disqualification of Sapphire (McLain Ward) at the FEI World Cup Final in Geneva, the FEI has determined that the horse was incorrectly eliminated from the second round on 16 April 2010, however, Sapphire’s disqualification from the final round of the World Cup remains in place. McLain Ward will immediately be awarded all ranking points and prize money related to his second place finish in the second round of the FEI World Cup Final. This...

Saturday morning’s second phase of the SmartPak Equine United States Eventing Association (USEA) Training Three-Day competition at the Inavale Horse Trials in Philomath, OR, proved to be a challenge, as the placings shifted around quite a bit in the division sponsored by Gallops Saddlery. The overnight leader added penalties to her score in steeplechase, giving Maria Schatz an opportunity to snatch the lead, following clean trips from phase A through D, to move her up from the third position....

Johnny Robb (right), the Director of Marketing for the American Shetland Pony Club and Lori Nelson (left), USEF Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates are excited about the new USEF Shetland Member High Point Awards. Small equines from all across the nation who attend the 122nd Shetland Pony Congress Show this year will not only compete for national championship titles but will also have the chance to win one of the new USEF Shetland Member High Point Awards provided by the United...

Kate Levy of Katonah, NY, won the Whiteface Mountain 1.45m Jump-off to kick off the 41st Annual Lake Placid Horse Show. Levy was the third of 20 entries to try the 12-jump, first-round course at the North Elba Showgrounds. She rode her mount, Vent Du Nord, to one of what would be eight fault-free rides. She then turned in another fault-free ride in 37.350 seconds to take an early lead that would hold for the remainder of the class. Placing second was Hillary Dobbs of Sussex, NJ, who had two...

The 2010 Showplace Spring Spectacular Horse Show Series concluded its third and final week of competition at the scenic Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. The exciting $100,000 Showplace Challenge Cup completed its final three divisions with wins going to Dana Waters riding Biloxi in the $10,000 Low Junior/AO Finals, Alissa Kinsey riding Grisset in the $10,000 NAL Child/Adult Finals, and Ashley Reed riding Madonna in the $4,000 Modified Child/Adult Finals. The day wrapped up with a...

Photo by Flashpoint Photography (Daniel Geitner and Sympa) Classic Company’s Atlanta Summer Finale week was chocked full of big action, but the highlight was the debut of the Open Musical Freestyle Equitation Classic on Saturday evening under the bright lights of the former Olympic arena. Horses, riders, and the masses watching were all tapping toes to the various beats. Brought to life by Classic Company President Bob Bell, the Musical Freestyle, open to both adults and juniors, gave...

Photo by Flying Horse Photography (Mandy Porter and LaMarque) The $30,000 Copa de Amistad Grand Prix, presented by EquiFit, Inc., welcomed 24 horse-and-rider teams onto the Peter Holmes-designed course at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park. With seven riders, six of them women, earning spots in the jump-off, it was the second to last duo of Mandy Porter and Wild Turkey Farm’s young stallion, LaMarque, who led the victory gallop. Porter also qualified her other mount, Chesapeake (Wild Turkey...

The World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) Emerging Pro Division will now be tracked as one group rather than two groups divided by height. Like the other WCHR divisions, riders will earn points on their highest-placed horse at a WCHR member event, regardless of whether those points were earned from the pre-green or rated sections. The top 10 in the National standings after the divisions at Capital Challenge, plus the top six from each region will be invited to participate in the Emerging Pro...

Photo Courtesy Hilltop Farm, Inc. (Popeye, the eight-year-old Westfalen pony stallion) This week Hilltop Farm, Inc., received the exciting news that Popeye, the eight-year-old Westfalen pony stallion that is owned by Summit Sporthorses, LTD, and stands at Hilltop Farm, has fulfilled his sport test requirements to receive his third star in the Star Award Program with ISR/Oldenburg NA. The ISR/Oldenburg Star Awards recognize exceptional achievements for stallions, mares, and breeders with...