2020 WEF: McLain Ward Pilots HH Azur Back to the Top in Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5*

Photos Copyright © Sportfot
Photos Copyright © Sportfot

Two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward won his third CSI5* in two weeks by taking top call in the $401,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5* riding his 2016 Olympic mount, HH Azur, during “Saturday Night Lights” on February 22, at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.

WEF continues at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) through March 29, 2020, with 12 consecutive weeks of world-class competition and $13 million dollars on offer. The seventh week of competition, sponsored by Lugano Diamonds, runs February 19-23 and is recognized as a CSI5* and CSI2* by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).
Santiago Varela (ESP), who has been tapped to set the tracks at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, was the course designer for the Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix, which welcomed six contenders from three different countries to a tie-breaking jump-off. Continuing a banner month that included the birth of his second daughter, Madison, Ward is riding a wave of success and a little bit of luck.

Read More2020 WEF: McLain Ward Pilots HH Azur Back to the Top in Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5*

2020 Winter Equestrian Festival: Bertram Allen Continues Winning Ways During WEF Seven

Photos Copyright © Sportfot
Photos Copyright © Sportfot

Ireland’s Bertram Allen continued a successful debut season at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, with a victory in the $37,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.45m CSI5* riding Lafayette van Overis on Friday, February 21. WEF continues at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) through March 29, 2020, with 12 consecutive weeks of world-class competition and $13 million dollars on offer. The seventh week of competition, sponsored by Lugano Diamonds, runs February 19-23 and is recognized as a CSI5* and CSI2* by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). The featured event of the week is the $401,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5* during “Saturday Night Lights.”

Read More2020 Winter Equestrian Festival: Bertram Allen Continues Winning Ways During WEF Seven

NRCHA Celebration of Champions World Championship Classes Come to a Close

As action unfolded on Friday at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Celebration of Champions as six NRCHA World Champions were crowned in John Justin Arena at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Through the course of the 10-day Celebration of Champions in Fort Worth, a total of 15 World and National Championships have been determined.

Read MoreNRCHA Celebration of Champions World Championship Classes Come to a Close

Rosanne Sternberg: NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner

Photo ©KC Mongormery
Photo ©KC Mongormery

Congratulations to National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Fame inductee Rosanne Sternberg for becoming the second-ever NRHA Two Million Dollar Owner. After reaching the NRHA Million Dollar Owner milestone in 2010 and being inducted into the NRHA Hall of Fame in 2017, she’s remained dedicated to producing quality reining horses while consistently striving for the next level of achievement.

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It’s All About Girl Power as Team USA Takes Top Honors in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of the United States of America in Wellington Followed by the All-Girl British Squad

Photo by Kathy Russell Photography
Photo by Kathy Russell Photography

At the close of Round 1 in the $230,000 CSIO5* Longings FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ USA at the Palm Beach Masters Series, Team USA was one of three nations sitting on a score of 8 along with Mexico and Israel.  Once the sun went down on the beautiful Deeridge Farms, it took a dramatic jump-off between America’s Beezie Madden and Great Britain’s Alexandra Thornton to determine which team would ‘jump’ to the highest step of the podium.
— By Simona Diale, International Horse Press

Read MoreIt’s All About Girl Power as Team USA Takes Top Honors in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of the United States of America in Wellington Followed by the All-Girl British Squad

2020 Bonanza Open Classic champion Metallic Drifter

Metallic Drifter LTE $144,665, owned by Jim Vangilder, Weatherford, Tex., and shown by Matt Gaines, scored 223 points on Friday, February 14, to win the 2020 Bonanza Open Classic, in Belton, Tex. The 6-year-old Metallic Cat gelding, one of 15 finalists, also earned top money in the Open Gelding and Open $25,000 Novice divisions, for a grand total, including the Classic Open Finals payout, of $22,682.

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Victoria Colvin and Private Practice Can’t Be Beat in $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular

Photo © Sportfot
Photo © Sportfot

Young hunter professional Victoria Colvin once again proved unbeatable as she returned to pilot her talented 2019 $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular winner, Private Practice, to the victory in the premier class of WCHR week once again during “Saturday Night Lights” at the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

Read MoreVictoria Colvin and Private Practice Can’t Be Beat in $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular

Sydney Shulman and Villamoura 
Race to Victory in the $36,600 CSIO5* 
Palm Beach Masters Classic  

Photo by Kathy Russell Photography
Photo by Kathy Russell Photography

Sydney Shulman (ISR) came into Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Week CSIO5*/CSI2* at the Palm Beach Masters Series® thinking that she'd already won.

The appearance marked Shulman's first CSIO5* competition at the venue, and she arrived hoping only for a positive experience. Saturday afternoon, the 25-year-old recorded a memorable victory, riding longtime mount Villamoura to the top of the $36,600 CSIO5* Palm Beach Masters Classic.

Read MoreSydney Shulman and Villamoura 
Race to Victory in the $36,600 CSIO5* 
Palm Beach Masters Classic