Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto D'Arco (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) continued on Thursday with round ten of the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series and a victory for Irish rider Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm's Amaretto D'Arco. In a twelve horse jump-off, the pair was fastest of just two clear rounds, topping Canada's Tiffany Foster and Victor, owned by Torrey Pines Stables and Artisan Farms LLC. Sponsored by Artisan Farms, week ten...

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America held its 2012 Annual General Meeting over the weekend of February 24-26, 2012 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Society members from across the United States enjoyed wonderful accommodations and excellent service at the Embassy Suites in this beautiful area. A packed-full agenda began on Thursday of that week and included such events as Society Board, business and committee meetings, informative clinics for all ages, award banquets and presentations, a field...

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America held its 2012 Annual General Meeting over the weekend of February 24-26, 2012 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Society members from across the United States enjoyed wonderful accommodations and excellent service at the Embassy Suites in this beautiful area. A packed-full agenda began on Thursday of that week and included such events as Society Board, business and committee meetings, informative clinics for all ages, award banquets and presentations, a field...

Holly Bergay aboard Rubino Bellissimo with Mette Rosencrantz (Lindsay McCall) Del Mar, CA - As the Del Mar Horse Park began to clear of flower boxes and white arena borders, Para-Equestrian Dressage riders prepared for a hands-on clinic with Mette Rosencrantz. Each rider was given 45 minutes with Mette allowing a large amount of time to work on short-term and long-term goals. During each session riders demonstrated specific parts of their tests that they performed during the 2012 Rancho...

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy (Hunter Messineo) Ocala, FL - It was an incredible night for the 2012 $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the HITS VI Ocala Winter Finals. Spectators gathered together as the anticipation continued to rise, waiting to see who would take home the victory. In the end, it was SBS Farms' Jennifer Alfano who executed brilliant rides throughout the two-round event, rising to the top of the leaderboard with four horses. She and her veteran mount Jersey Boy...

Each month Classic Equine Equipment will spotlight an equine charitable organization through their newsletter, "Little Bits," in an effort to increase awareness of those people and groups that give back to our hooved companions. Any "Little Bits" reader who submits to Classic Equine Equipment proof of donation to the organization within 30 days of newsletter publication will be matched at a rate of 25%. Classic Equine Equipment will donate a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $1,000 each month to...

Holly Bergay (USA) and Rubino Bellissimo (Lindsay McCall) Del Mar, CA - Kicking off the 2012 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire Thursday morning were the Para-Equestrian Dressage Riders. Eleven horse and rider combinations entered the ring to showcase their Team Tests in front of FEI Ground Jury Hanneke Gerritsen 5* (NED), Marco Orsini 4* (FRA), and Ulf Wilken 5* (SWE). After traveling from Wellington, Florida in January, to Toronto, Canada, and then on to the Del Mar Horse Park, Canadian Lynne...

Lexington, KY - In 2012 the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will offer more than $20,000 in grant money to qualified students and high school equestrian clubs or teams across the nation through its High School Equestrian Athlete program. To be eligible for a grant an applicant must be a current USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program participant and have successfully completed at least one year of the program. The applicant must also be a member of at least one USEF Recognized...

Major Equestrian competitions attended by US athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check the USEF Week in Review on Monday for a report of any top finishes by US Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions within the USA and international FEI competitions in...

Funding Neede for the FHWA Recreational Trails Program The Senate transportation bill (MAP-21) severely weakens programs for trails, walking, and biking. Amendment #1661 proposed by Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) and co-sponsored by Senators Burr (R-NC), Shaheen (D-NH), Risch (R-ID), and Udall (D-CO), would restore dedicated funding for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), consistent with language that is already in the House bill. Equine Land Conservation Resource is already signed on and is...