The festival atmosphere started early as tailgaters prepared to welcome their expected guests. Tents were raised, tables set with colorful clothes topped with trays and baskets of food, coolers were filled with ice and beverages to keep everyone hydrated and happy during the warm day. With thousands of spectators expected, many arrived early to ensure a seat with a good view of the 80 some competitors who would fly though the obstacles. Volunteers took their places to wait patiently for the...

Lexington, KY - The American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) has announced the schedule for the 2011 ASHA Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge. The events currently scheduled for 2011 range from March to November, and are set to be held at various shows across the country. The ASHA Junior Exhibitor Driving Challenge, funded by Elisabeth Goth, was developed to promote the American Saddlebred driving divisions among junior exhibitors. Competitors 17 years of age and under are adding driving to...

Ocala, FL - On the second day of dressage at the CAI-A Live Oak, Boots Wright of Ocala, FL, was awarded the best dressage score in the Intermediate division. Wright drove Mista Q and Marko, German riding ponies, gaining a decisive 17-point lead over second-place Sherri Dolan with her Shetland ponies, Smoke and Mirrors. Sybil Humphreys, driving her Section C Welsh pony, Cefnanokpark Bouncer, will go into Saturday’s marathon leading the 12-competitor Intermediate Single Pony class. Her score of...

Ocala, FL - Four United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Driving National Championship titles are at stake at the 2011 CAI-B Live Oak in Ocala, FL, as Ponies (four-in-hand, singles and pairs) and Horse Pairs vie for top honors. The first phase of competition for the FEI classes - dressage - is now complete. Shelly Temple of Windsor, SC, put herself well ahead of the competition, winning the FEI Single Pony dressage with a score of 41.60. Driving her Morgan LR Ami B-Line, Temple was happy...

Jumping The final Grand Prix of the HITS Ocala show season resulted in a resounding win by Kent Farrington, who ended up finishing first and second and with three horses in the top five. Farrington stormed to the win in the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group on Top Gun to give himself a clear victory over his second-placed horse: Uceko. Both flashy grey horses jumped two clear rounds for Farrington, Top Gun was faster by more than a second....

• Achieve Without Limits campaign honors and supports athletes; features ads, social media and events • Company to donate $1 for every Hartford Facebook page 'Like' to U.S. Paralympics* HARTFORD, CT - Building on its 16-year commitment to U.S. Paralympic athletes, today The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) launches Achieve Without Limits, a multi-year campaign that champions these athletes and their dedication to achieve. The campaign kickoff includes new television spots,...

Michael Hughes and Norton. (ESI Photography©.) Ocala, FL -This past Saturday, highly-acclaimed Junior rider Michael Hughes of Morriston, Florida captured the win in the R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship aboard Norton, owned by Drumnacross Farm, LTD. Hughes sealed the victory after a two-round score of 354. “It was a good class,” said Hughes, who has built a remarkable career in the Junior and Equitation divisions at 15 years old. “I thought the courses in both rounds were difficult, and it...

Lizzie Snow graduated from High School in 2010 and has represented Area VII at the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North in 2009 and 2010. In 2010 she won Team Gold and Individual Bronze at the 2010 event and made a successful move up to the CCI2* level. The Portland, OR native is now based in Southern Pines, NC. I can’t believe it’s already the end of March. I feel like the year just began but now the spring season is halfway done! My...

Lincoln, NE - Olympian Carol Lavell has said, “For most Young Riders, obtaining financial support becomes the ultimate hurdle.” Through The Dressage Foundation's new 'Lessons in Fundraising and Giving' Program, riders will learn valuable tools that will help them throughout their equestrian careers. Program participants will learn how they can raise the financial support necessary to continue their education and career. Participants will hear from people who have “been there, done that” as well...

Steffen Peters with Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian, LLC. (Photo courtesy of JRPR.) Wellington, FL – United States Dressage rider Steffen Peters turned in the ride of his life aboard his equine partner, Ravel, in front of a sold-out crowd at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5* at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Wellington. In addition to earning a “personal best” score on Ravel, Peters also rode away as the winner of the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. Heidi...