Author Archive
Stories written by Staff Report

Verdun Hopefuls at Flintridge

Liver chestnut KWPN stallion Vitalis shimmers like a deep copper coin.

This weekend Dressage at Flintridge CDI1*Y/J presents what it believes to be “the future of U.S. dressage,” at the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trial. Many of the top five and six-year-old horses in the nation will be attending the Flintridge show, May 23-26, vying for a spot to represent the U.S. at […]

Gucci 2013 Equestrian Collection

Gucci model in jacket and blue shirt.

The House of Gucci has made fashion icons of the stirrup and bit. Now, as part of Cruise 2013 , Gucci is rolling out a new Equestrian Collection. Billed as “a contemporary tribute to the riding heritage that has  inspired the House for over 90 years through the timeless values of beauty, grace and nobility,” […]

Mine That Bird Breezing to Screen

Mine That Bird wags his tongue at trainer Chip Woolley

The long shot 2009 winner of the Kentucky Derby is ready to make a comeback – on the big screen. The ragtag gelding Mine That Bird is the subject of an independently-financed feature film called “50 to 1,” a reference to his odds on Derby day. Produced and directed by Jim Wilson, the film stars […]

Madden and Simon New World Champs

Beezie Madden and Simon jump before a crowd packed to the rafters.

A 25-year-drought, and then two years running! Beezie Madden and Simon are show jumping’s new world champions, winning the 2013 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, April 28. The pair from Cazenovia, NY, rose to the top on the strength of a grueling week of contests at the Scandinavum Arena that drew the top […]

Nicholson’s First Rolex Win

Andrew Nicholson fist-pumps in victory after winning his first Rolex.

New Zealand, with its challenging natural terrain, is a nation that produces strong eventers, and Andrew Nicholson continues to flaunt that tradition by donning the crown at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, riding Quimbo. Perhaps to drive the point home, he also placed third on Calico Joe. In all Nicholson, 51, scooped up the coveted […]

U.S. Jumpers Set for Sweden

Flexible looks very careful as he clears a vertical jump with Rich Fellers.

Eleven of the United States’ best show jumping riders are heading to Gothenburg, Sweden in hopes of being named the 2013 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final champion. Included in the U.S. contingent is reigning champion Rich Fellers. In addition to Fellers, riding under the supervision of the newly installed U.S. show jumping team chef d’equipe Robert […]

HITS Sets Jumper Triple Crown

McLain Ward and Antares on course.

HITS, Inc. has added a third $1 million grand prix to its 2014 roster. The Ocala $1 Million Grand Prix will be held March 23 to conclude the 10-week 2014 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Florida. HITS inaugurated the U.S.’ first $1 million show jumping class in 2010 in Saugerties, NY (which in its second […]

Coulter Lauded by USET

Saer Coulter looks stylish with her long strawberry-blonde hair and navy jacket at her award presentation ceremony.

Saer Coulter, 21, received the USET’s Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award on April 6 at the American Invitational  in Tampa, FL. The United States Equestrian Team Foundation selected Coulter based on her “competitive record and potential to represent the United States in international competition.” In 2012, the San Francisco-based Coulter advanced to the highest […]

Viva La Vavra!

A grey Andalusian stallion's mane blows amidst the cattails in the wind.

Robert Vavra sees himself more as a “storyteller” than a photographer. This comes as no surprise to anyone who has had the pleasure of taking in his breathtaking images. Now 78, he is considered by many to be the world’s premiere equine portraitist. Vavra, who hails from Southern California, in 1958 began maintaining a residence […]

Animal Magnetism in Dubai

The bright chestnut Animal Kingdom looks afire as he races against a flaming red backdrop.

With effortless looking but ground devouring strikes, Animal Kingdom crushed his competition in the 18th running of the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 30. Sponsored by Emirates Airline, the $10 million Dubai World Cup offers the largest single-event purse in horse sport, and is part of the world’s “richest day in racing,” with […]

Photo Gallery

Copyright 2011 The Equestrian News