Peters and Ravel (Amy McCool) San Juan Capistrano, CA – Steffen Peters and Ravel were crowned Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Champions and won the USEF Selection Trials for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team in dressage with a spectacular performance in today’s grand prix freestyle. The pair finished with a remarkable score of 79.500%. Peters, Debbie McDonald and Courtney King-Dye finished in the top three places to represent the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games in...

Steffen Peters and Ravel (Amy McCool) San Juan Capistrano, CA – There was no one busier than Steffen Peters at the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions today and he saved his best performance for last. Peters rode Ravel to another win in the third leg of the USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Championship (which also serves as the USEF Selection Trial for Dressage) with a score of 75.25%. The 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding continues to impress everyone on hand at...

Michelle Gibson and Don Angelo (Amy McCool) San Juan Capistrano, CA – The first day of the USEF National Intermediaire Dressage Championship showcased the top horse/rider combinations in the country at the fiercely competitive Intermediaire level. Some of the most exciting up-and-coming horses performed the Prix St. Georges test in the arena at The Oaks Blenheim facility this afternoon. Two riders, who duel on a regular basis, ended the day separated by only four-tenths of a percent. Last...

The Gold Coast 4 hunter/jumper show (June 13-15) marks the halfway point in Langer Equestrian Group’s (LEG) Gold Coast Series, which consists of seven United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) "B" rated shows at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Markel Insurance is the sponsor the 2008 series awards. The Gold Coast Shows offer a three day, six ring format. There are a wide variety of classes suitable for many levels of horses and riders from green horses and short stirrup riders, to 1.40...

Lexington, KY - The U.S. trio of drivers arrived in Greven, Germany for the 2008 FEI World Championship for Drivers with Disabilities CPEAI 4* and put the world on notice after the dressage phase. Meghan Benge of Aiken, SC drove her borrowed pony Jack to a score of 41.2 with a brilliant performance. The pony was leased from England and his owner was on hand to help groom. “I think Mary is still is shock,” said Boots Wright who is serving as U.S. Assistant Chef d’Equipe and Assistant Coach. “I...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has amended its import rules to allow noncompetitive entertainment horses to be temporarily brought into the U.S. from countries affected with the venereal disease, Contagious Equine Metritis. The final rule, titled Temporary Importation of Horses: Noncompetitive Entertainment Horses From Countries Affected with Contagious Equine Metritis, is effective July 7, 2008. Noncompetitive entertainment horses are those that participate in performances or...

In keeping in the tradition of promoting the best in equestrian sport, the Capital Challenge Horse Show is pleased to announce the addition of an expanded $45,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper division. Celebrating its 15th year, the 2008 Capital Challenge kicks off on September 27 and runs through October 5 in Upper Marlboro, MD. Manager Oliver Kennedy said of the expansion, “We have always had a great turnout of junior/amateur-owner riders from across North America, and by expanding this...

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which has been campaigning to ban the slaughter of American horses for food exports, hailed a decision by the United States Supreme Court denying the foreign-owned horse slaughter industry’s final appeal to resume slaughtering horses. The decision upholds a federal appeals’ court ruling that Illinois can ban slaughtering horses and the sale of horsemeat for human consumption. The slaughter plants had claimed that the Illinois law at issue was...

The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) proudly presents the 2008 NRHA Derby at Oklahoma State Fair Park June 23-28. The Derby is one of two major events presented by NRHA each year in Oklahoma City. It is the association’s premiere event for the world’s best four-, five-, and six-year-old reining horses, their exhibitors, and their owners. The 2008 NRHA Derby is a great experience for all horse lovers. Bring the whole family for plenty of reining excitement with free admission Monday,...

Gladstone, NJ – Several area Pony Clubs will gather at the Oaks Blenheim Show Grounds in San Juan Capistrano, CA, on Thursday, June 26, to hear Olympian Charlotte Bredahl-Baker give a presentation entitled “Real Athletes Show Respect.” This USOC-sponsored event will be held in conjunction with the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) Selection Trials for Dressage at Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, and will highlight the importance of good sportsmanship in competition....