Showplace Productions is pleased to announce an additional third week of competition for its Spring Spectacular Series with an exciting and unique new format. The Spring Spectacular III will feature the $100,000 Showplace Challenge Cup, a "world Cup" format multi-phase event for High Junior/Amateur-Owner, Low Junior/Amateur-Owner, Children's/Adult, Low Children's/Adult, and Modified Jumpers. The Cup will be held the first three days of the Spectacular III—Monday, June 21, through...

Photo by Robbi Meisel (Taylor Land and Karonda V Schl’Hof) The Atlanta Spring Classics welcomed the new season with Cherry Blossoms in bloom, blue skies, and heated competition among hunters and jumpers. And the biggest competition this week centered around two sisters, Frances and Taylor Land, who dominated the jumper rings. Produced by the Classic Company and held at the Georgia International Horse Park, home of the 1996 Olympics, in Conyers, GA, the two-week event runs March 24-April 3 with...

Photo by ESI Photography (Jennifer Alfano and Fantabulous on course in the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby at HITS Ocala. ) The 2010 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit was certainly a successful tour for HITS Ocala Veteran Callan Solem. The accomplished equestrian found victory in the Grand Prix ring several times during the eight-week horse show circuit at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL, including a win in the $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Allison, owned by Quiet...

Sappire Wins Again for McLain Ward (Shannon Brinkman/ USEF Archives) Wellington, FL - March 27, 2010 - Tonight's $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5* drew the largest crowd in the history of equestrian sport in Wellington. More than 9,000 spectators came to see who would win one of the biggest show jumping purses in North America. Sapphire, ridden by McLain Ward (USA) and owned by Ward and Blue Chip Bloodstock, came home with the win and repeated their victory from last year over...

Robin Groves collects her prizes (Joanie Morris/USEF) Ocala, FL - With impending storms looming, the fourth and final day of the Live Oak International presented by US Trust featured a difficult cones phase and clear rounds were hard to find. But the best drivers in the US prevailed and two USEF National Champions were crowned based on their incredible three phase performances. A massive storm held off until the final few drivers, and then the weather deteriorated quickly. Chester Weber and...

Jimmy Fairclough Threads the Needle (Joanie Morris/USEF) Ocala, FL – An exciting day of marathon driving at Live Oak International presented by US Trust showcased some of the very best in the US vying for USEF National Championship honors for both Single Horses and Four-in-Hands. Jimmy Fairclough drove like a man on mission – and his perseverance prevailed. Driving Jane Clark’s team, the New Jersey driver started out confidently in the first hazard and got better and better as he guided his...

Arriving in Florida is always an adventure. Despite running laps between Lexington and Wellington this year, this was my first trip to Ocala, which of course means flying into Orlando. Which of course meant that I was the only person on my flight and in the airport without Disney World on the brain. Ocala and Lexington are locked in a fierce battle for bragging rights over which one really is the horse capital of the world. There are farms of every possible variety when you drive around this...

Chester Weber Goes for Eight (Joanie Morris/USEF) Ocala, FL, – The Live Oak International sponsored by US Trust kicked off with the FEI dressage on Thursday, and two USEF National Driving Championships bookended the six FEI divisions at the premiere event. Held at Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation, it is one of the featured events on the US calendar and showcased 40 of the best drivers in the United States. The USEF National Single Horse Championship got the morning started and Leslie...

Photo by Steve Bradley (Dr. Les Carr accepts the equine Hall of Fame trophy for his endurance half-Arabian gelding, Tulip. ) Amid the hoopla of its annual convention last month in Reno, NV, the American Endurance Ride Conference’s (AERC) Dave Rabe was inducted into the nonprofit organization’s Hall of Fame, along with Tulip, the ultra-long distance half-Arabian gelding owned by Dr. Les Carr. Also winning one of endurance’s top prizes, the Pard’ners Award, was Robert Ribley and his endurance...

Lexington, KY - As part of proposed expansions to United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Dressage programs in 2011 the USEF Dressage Committee is now accepting applications for the possible appointment of a USEF National Youth Dressage Coach for 2011. Therefore, the Committee is seeking qualified candidates to fill this position. The primary responsibilities for this coach will be to further the education of riders, trainers, and owners and the importance of proper development of...