Mario Deslauriers kicked off CSIO Wellington with a win on Jane Clark’s Vicomte D in the WEF Challenge 8. He will ride Urico on the Nations Cup Team tomorrow but today he topped a big competitive International field, many looking to make sure all the buttons were working for tomorrow night’s $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. I made it just in time to catch most of the class, it feels so nice to get a little sunshine and not constantly looking for my gloves. It was a...

Crystal Forsell, one of three instructors to receive the award. (Photo by Gina Duran. ) Lincoln, Nebraska - March 3, 2011 - The Dressage Foundation's Continuing Education for Dressage Instructors Fund, established by Maryal Barnett, has awarded three grants to individuals to attend the United States Dressage Federation's Instructor Certification Program. Katy Barglow (CA), Crystal Forsell (CA), and Kerrie Matesich (OH) each received a $1,250 grant to use toward their further education as an...

Lexington, VA - The United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) Chapter 18 has announced that by popular demand, Ellen Beard will return as clinician and instructor for their annual Saddle Seat Riding Clinic at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA. The clinic, set to take place March 11-12 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, VA, will offer private or group lessons, and the option of bringing your own horse, or riding a horse provided by one of the chapter members. Driving...

Lexington, KY - The judges have been announced for the 2011 Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS), as well as qualifying changes for Pleasure, Park and Western Invitational. The judges for the 2011 Show are: Robert Gardiner, William Greenwell, Randy Harper, Euchee Matthews, Cindy Mugnier, and Jack Noble. The Saddlebred classes will be judged by: Robert Gardiner, William Greenwell, Euchee Matthews, and Jack Noble. The Hackney/Harness Pony classes will be judged by: Randy...

Nichole Charbonneau. (Photo courtesy Carolynn Bunch Photography.) Lincoln, NE – The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that Nichole Charbonneau of Lacey, WA, is the 2011 recipient of the $500 Trip Harting Grant. Nichole is the second recipient of this annual grant and plans to use the funds to continue her education in the United States Dressage Federation 'L' Education Program. Trip's friends, students, and admirers established this Fund at The Dressage Foundation in his memory. Trip,...

Wellington, FL - Last week's Dressage Under the Stars was a crowd favorite, as four former dressage young riders competed to fantastic popular music in exciting dress. Riders last week were Mica Mabragana from Argentina, Kasi Barteau who did a rendition of the Lion King, winner of the evening Jocelyn Wylese, and Mary Lauthorio who made her horse into a rocket ship in honor of the final NASA spaceship launch. Neil Hirsh, owner of the Player's Club which hosts the evening remarked "It was...

Micheal Freund Demonstrates How to Jog a Horse Correctly (Vicki Long) Aiken, SC - The first annual 'Salute to Driving' event hosted a beautiful Dinner & Live Auction on Saturday, February 19, 2011, to benefit the United States Equestrian Team Foundation and, ultimately, USEF High Performance Combined Driving. The successful evening was held at Wendy O'Brien's Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, SC. The goal of the event was to help raise funds for the USET Foundation that will be dedicated to helping...

Richard Spooner and Cristallo. (Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival's seventh week of competition continued on Thursday afternoon with round seven of the $31,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series. Held in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, the class saw a total of 59 entries with 16 jumping clear to return for the jump-off. After arriving in Wellington just three days ago, California's Richard Spooner and his top mount Cristallo...

Laura and O Lordy++//. (Photo by Suzanne Sturgill.) Aurora, CO - It makes sense that the Arabian Horse Association’s Amateur of the Year would be the owner of the High Point Horse of the Year—it’s happened before. Laura Wolsey of Langley, B.C. and her gelding O Lordy++// (The Firelord+/ x Hi Passion) were recently given the AHA annual honor. In 2010 however, the AHA High Point Horse was also named Equine Canada’s High Point Horse for Breed Sport, the United States Equestrian Federation’s (USEF)...

CALENDAR DD Mighty Hector. (Photo courtesy SHN Payback, Inc.) Columbia, MD Sport Horse National Payback (SHN Payback) today announced the top winners for the 2010 season. Mirage V+++// with two Reserve Championships and three Top Ten wins narrowly captured Super Stallion honors. Beth Conti of Catori Creek Arabians in Arizona received a trophy, ribbon, and custom embroidered cooler. The prizes were donated in memory of the 2008 Top SHN Payback Sire, Bey Oro, owned by Mark and Tania Dunlap. KB...