Aaron Vale and Spirit of Alena win the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Ocala (ESI Photography) Ocala, Fla. - Thirty contenders showed up to challenge the difficult track set by course designer David Ballard of Tottenham, Ontario, Canada in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Sunday at HITS Ocala. It was, however, Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida and Spirit of Alena that took the victory. The time allowed was set at 77 seconds, and the course included a...

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Wellington, Fla. - The top riders from across the nation gather at the Ridge at Wellington today for the inaugural Hunter Derby Days, part of the Ridge at Wellington's Turf Tour. Under sunny skies and beautiful conditions the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby commenced this afternoon, featuring derby sensation Jersey Boy with Jennifer Alfano in the saddle riding to the top of the ranks. Besting a field of top-tier competitors, Alfano and Jersey Boy led...

Shane Sweetnam and Cyklon 1083 (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla . - Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Spy Coast Farm LLC's Cyklon 1083 earned their second FEI world ranking win of the 2014 season in Friday's $34,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class during week five of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The pair beat out Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Prof de la Roque and Beezie Madden (USA) aboard Vanilla, who placed second and third respectively. FTI WEF week five, sponsored by Rolex,...

The winning presentation with ringmaster Gustavo Murcia, riders Ian Millar, Emily Kinch and Kelly Soleau, Greg Weiss, Kristin Solomon and Diana Reese for Speak Up for Kids, and Equestrian Sport Productions' CEO Mark Bellissimo (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Canada's Ian Millar, Kelly Soleau and Emily Kinch were the winning team in the fifth annual FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments® (FTI GCC) on behalf of their charity, Speak Up for Kids, on Saturday...

Thermal, Calif. - The pinto Oldenburg gelding, Symphony, has quickly gone from catch ride to dream horse for Katie Cook of Newport Beach, California. Cook had never sat on Symphony, owned by Amy Knox, before she arrived at HITS Thermal, but the two have become fast friends, jumping to three blue ribbons during Week I and winning the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix on Friday for the second week in a row. Knox has owned the gelding, who is now 10, for three years and rode him in...

Cross Plains, Wis. - The American Driving Society (ADS) is pleased to announce plans for a new head-to-head driven North American Championship, in addition to the popular calculated Intermediate Championship offered since 2009. The North American Preliminary and the North American Intermediate Championships will be driven championships, each taking place over a single competition weekend. The original Championship will be renamed The North American Calculated Intermediate Championship and...

Lexington, Ky .- The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that six individuals from the United States have been appointed as officials by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Four U.S. officials have been appointed to serve on the Ground Juries for Dressage, Jumping, Reining, and Vaulting. They include Liselotte Fore (Santa Rosa, Calif.) for dressage, David Distler (Norwalk, Conn.) for jumping,...

Lexington, Ky. - The USEF launched a pilot "high performance" training program in 2012/2013 with approximately twenty drivers attending one or more clinics held in Kentucky, Florida, and North Carolina. Since there are limited training opportunities for driving at the USEF/FEI levels, the opportunity to train with an International Four-in-Hand driver and coach was overwhelmingly positive. To further this program, it is the intention of the USEF to roll out the 2014 Developing Driver Program...

Laura Kraut and Bonito R (Sportfot) Wellington, Fla. - Week two of the 2014 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) kicked off at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Wednesday morning with a win for Laura Kraut (USA) and Bonito R in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.40m speed class. Jack Hardin Towell, Shane Sweetnam, and Samuel Parot also got wins on the first day of week two competition. FTI WEF week two, sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty, will run Wednesday,...

Lexington, Ky. - At the USEF Year End Awards Gala Saturday night Abigail Wexner's Simon and Janet Peterson and Liza Boyd's Brunello were named International Horse of the Year and National Horse of the Year respectively. Voting was open to the public in December and both horses, already fan favorites, were rewarded for their tremendous results throughout 2013 with support from voters. International Horse of the Year Simon (Mr. Blue x Naline) 1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding Owner: Abigail...