Westport, Conn. - Thanks to Ariat International and the dedication of three volunteers in the Champions Equine Service program, three well-deserving charities devoted to horse welfare and the horse-human bond are receiving grants. Individuals who volunteer a minimum of 24 hours in a year for an equine charity on the EQUUS Foundation Equine Welfare Network are recognized as Champions and automatically entered into a drawing where the winners have the opportunity to select their charities to...

Kevin Babington and Shorapur jump to a win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix (ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - When Kevin Babington first laid eyes on Shorapur he knew there was something special about the mare. Despite being told she was too hot for his liking, he had to try her. That first ride was a year and a half ago. Yet, Friday they won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis as if they'd been together forever. “I was like a kid in a candy store the first...

Café de Colombia and Ashton Alexander (Captured Moments Photography) Del Mar, Calif. - Directly after wrapping up the final jumper classes on Sunday of the Showpark Summer Festival, the striped poles were set aside to welcome a prestigious annual event. Decorated flower boxes, walls, rolltops and such were carefully set on the gorgeous grand prix field in preparation for the 2014 US Junior Hunter National Championship, West Coast, on Monday morning. With three phases over two days, Monday...

Devon, Pa. - Since 1978 more and more spectators, riders and trainers have enjoyed Dressage with the Experts. This year an over-ear style personal receiver allows you to follow all the commentary of some of the foremost experts in the world of dressage. Listen as they comment and give personal opinion and insight into the horse and rider during their performances. For only $35 (pre-ordered) or $40 on the day of the show, you get a behind the scenes perspective exclusive only to those with a...

Hunter Holloway (AnLi Kelly Durham/Phelps Media Group,) Parker, Colo. - Friday at the Colorado Horse Park, all eyes were on the equitation riders, where many talented juniors vied for valuable points in the two phases of the WIHS Equitation and the ASPCA Maclay. The riders from Equi-Venture Farm of Topeka, KS left no blue ribbon unclaimed in the three medal classes. Hunter Holloway finished on top in both WIHS Equitation classes, while Misty Redd took the blue in the ASPCA Maclay. In the WIHS...

Las Vegas, Nev. - The FEI World CupTM Finals return to Las Vegas, April 15-19, 2015, marking the Finals' first time in the U.S. since 2009. The Thomas & Mack Center will host both the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Final and the Reem Acra FEI World CupTM Dressage Final. This marks the sixth time that Las Vegas has had the honor of hosting one of the world's most prestigious equestrian events. The public now has the opportunity to buy all-session tickets for both the Longines FEI...

Shelburne, Vt. - The American Morgan Horse Association Young Adult Alliance (YAA), a group of 18-40 year old amateur and professionals working together to strengthen the Morgan breed, today shared details of its first Professional Development Project, a scholarship for amateur and professionals who are interested in attaining their United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) "R" Morgan judging card. This is an opportunity for young adults to educate themselves on the show ring and develop...

Jessica Stallings and Jennifer DesRoche The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce three grant recipients of its Elysium Farm Fund for U.S. Breeder Excellence; Gigha Steinman of River Oaks Farm (FL), Barbara Cadwell (FL), and Jessica Stallings and Jennifer DesRoche of Signature Sport Horses (NC). The Elysium Farm Fund for U.S. Breeder Excellence, established at The Dressage Foundation in 2011 by Abbey Henderson, owner of Elysium Farm (MA), provides financial assistance to breeders to pursue...

Aurora, Colo. - Youth competitors of all ages will return to Albuquerque to compete for the top honors in the country on Arabian and Half-Arabian horses. Celebrating its 14th year in New Mexico, the annual Youth National Arabian & Half-Arabian Championship Horse Show will be held at Expo New Mexico, Saturday July 19 through Saturday July 26, 2014. Admission and parking are free to the general public. Join the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) for 8 days of family fun. With fun activities and...

Traverse City, Mich. - Peter Pletcher added to his blue ribbon collection from Wednesday with a variety of tricolor honors as the first hunter champions were crowned during the 11th Annual Horse Shows By the Bay Hunter/Jumper Series. Margaret Anderson's CR Beethoven clinched the Wrenwood Farm Grand Performance Hunter Championship and combined High-Performance/Second Year Green Hunter Championship, sponsored by Top Call LLC and Missy and Doug Smith, by winning four out of the five classes...