Diana DeRosa (2007 Pan American Games Bronze medalists Todd Minikus, Laura Chapot, Cara Raether and Lauren Hough) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—It was a battle between the host country—Brazil—and the teams from Canada and the United States for the team show jumping medal today at Deodoro Stadium outside Rio de Janeiro. Fittingly, it was the host country’s most popular equestrian athlete—Rodrigo Pessoa—that was the last to go in the two-round series of Nations Cup...

From Louise Parkes for the FEI AMERICAN GIRLS POWER HOME AS BRITISH SNATCH DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY..... Lexington, KY) - The all-girl American team produced a crisp, clean victory at the sixth leg of the Samsung Super League with FEI series at Hickstead, England today where the much-fancied home squad lost out in the closing stages. Ahead at the half-way stage, the British lost their grip as the second round progressed, but three second-round clears saw the USA rise from third to pole...

Diana DeRosa (Lauren Hough and Casadora lead the American effort after Day One of show jumping.) Rio de Janeiro—Some 47 Pan American Games show jumpers entered the arena at Deodoro Stadium outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday morning to begin the first of two days of team competition. Leading the way for Team USA was rider Lauren Hough aboard Casadora. The last of the four to go was Todd Minikus and Pavarotti. Team USA ended the day in a surprising overall fourth place after the...

Lexington, KY- Facing competition from nine other countries, the Americans took home the bronze medal in the team competition and a gold medal went to US teammate Miranda Cadwell for the pairs division in the 2007 FEI World Combined Pony Driving Championships July 18-22 in Knabstrup, Denmark. Overall, the team gold medal was won by Germany, the team silver medal was won by Holland and the United States won the bronze medal. After some intense cone driving with her ponies, thirty-seven-year-old...

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – And then there were five. The gold medal eventing and dressage teams shipped out early Monday morning, leaving the five show jumpers alone in the U.S. wing of the stables at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With 17 countries represented, the most of the three disciplines, the show jumping will be very competitive. Florida’s Lauren Hough and Casadora are riding the crest of a very successful wave, having just won the valuable CN Reliability Grand Prix at...

The 2007 Platform® American Shetland Pony National Championship Congress show is set to kick off August 1-4 at the Gordyville Arena in Gifford, IL. Last year’s Shetland Pony Congress show drew almost 500 entries from all over the United States. “Shetland ponies are very versatile and compete in a variety of competitions, and the best-of-the0best go head-to-head each year at this Congress Championship show,” said American Shetland Pony Club Director of Operations Zona Schneider. Shetland...

The 28th Evergreen Classic, the largest and most prestigious hunter/jumper show in Washington State, is getting ready to take place at its new home at Remlinger Farms Equestrian Park in Carnation, WA, August 8-August 12. After spending the last four years at Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA, everyone associated with the show is very excited about this new venue. The show site consists of 80 acres of grass fields nestled between the Snoqualmie River and downtown Carnation with views of...

Diana DeRosa (Karen O'Connor aboard Theodore O'Connor (left) lead the Gold-medal U.S. team in eventing at the 2007 Pan American Games.) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—Going into the third and final day of the eventing portion of the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the top three riders (all member of Team USA) were separated by less than two points. With all the remaining U.S. horses passing the final horse inspection, the U.S. support team had a busy afternoon on Sunday, July 22,...

Lexington, KY – The USEF announced that the system used to qualify riders for the Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East will change effective September 1, 2007 , the beginning of the next qualifying period. Beginning September 1, 2007, the following point scale will be used in Talent Search classes: First Place: 30 points Second Place: 15 points Third Place: 10 points Fourth Place: 5 points Riders may earn points in any Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent...

Diana DeRosa (Karen O'Connor and the pony Theodore O'Connor take the lead after cross-country.) Rio de Janeiro—Cross-country day at the XV Pan American Games dawned clear and sunny July 21 at the Deodoro venue. With five Americans in the top five places after the first phase, and a firm grip on the team lead after the first phase, there was a lot at stake on the 10-minute track. When the dust settled, a pony took on all the horses and rewrote history. Pathfinder Karen O’Connor, from...