Competitions

Jad Dana won over Aaron Vale in $250,000 Grand Prix in WEC

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July 12, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Jad Dana of Lebanon on Itchcock des Dames won the $250,000 CSI4* Grand Prix on Saturday evening, July 11 during the Summer Series at the World Equestrian Center.

Jad Dana on Itchcock des Dames (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Five made the jump-off over the course set by Marina Azevedo of Brazil.

Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25, second to go in the jump-off, went clean in 42.03 seconds to go into the lead.

“My plan was to go wide from one to two in seven," said Vale. "Even going wide, the seven was still quite slow for me. I was very deep at fence two, which made my eight strides to number three very fast. In the course walk, I thought I might have been able to get eight back to the wall, but I was a little far off the oxer, so I ended up doing nine.”

Heading into the jump-off, Dana knew he was chasing one of the fastest riders in the sport, with another speedy rider still to go.

“I mean, I’m competing against Luis Sabino Goncalves and Aaron Vale," said Dana. "They are absolutely amazing, so I knew it was going to be hard to beat them for sure."

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Young U.S. team third in Falsterbo Nations Cup

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July 11, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

FALSTERBO, Sweden--A young U.S. team, either rider or horse, finished a great third against teams that included most of the top ranked riders in the world in the CSIO5* Nations Cup in Falsterbo on Friday, July 10. 

Charlotte Jacobs on Playboy Jt Z (Photo by Morgan Fromont)The team of Kent Farrington on the young, 9-year-old Descartes SR, Natalie Dean on first time Nations Cup mount Fornett d'Emeraude, Mimi Gochman on Iron Maiden and Charlotte Jacobs on Playboy Jt Z finished with eight faults to place third behind Switzerland and Belgium who finished with zero faults and jumped off to determine first and second place.

Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Lorde won the jump-off with three time faults after Pieter Devos 0f Belgium of Primo DV had a stop and time faults to finish with 13 faults.

It was a different and interesting Nations Cup.

In the first round, with so many of the top riders competing, there were 18 clean rounds, with Belgium, Sweden and Switzerland finishing on zero faults, the U.S., Ireland and France with four faults, Great Britain with eight and Denmark with 10 to make round two.

Germany, with the very strong team of Andre Thieme, Sophie Hinners, Phillip Weishaupt and Richie Vogel, amazingly had 17 faults to suffer elimination along with Mexico with 20 faults,

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JJ Torano, Leading Rider in Lake Placid, won the Jumper Classic on Dora Du Valon

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July 6, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--JJ Torano was Leading Open Jumper Rider at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the Lake Placid Horse Shows.

JJ Torano on Dora Du Valon (Photo by KindMedia)At just 16 years of age, Torano was the busiest and winningest rider at the LakePlacid Horse Shows.

Along with a number of wins in both National and FEI classes that contributed to his Leading Rider title, Torano also had multiple wins in junior/amateur jumper and young jumper classes.

Torano on Dora Du Valon won the $25,000, 1.45m Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 5, and that win sealed his Leading Rider title.  

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Molly Ashe Cawley won the $100,000 Lake Placid Grand Prix

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July 5, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Molly Ashe Cawley on Lorona  won the $100,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix on Saturday, July 4 at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the 2026 Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Molly Ashe Cawley on Lorona (Photo by KindMedia)Cawley won over a field of 33, six of which went clean to make the jump-off over the course designed by Alan Wade, course designer for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Defending champion Philip McGuane of Ireland, who won last year on Orphea HQ, was first to go in the jump-off, and he rode Paso Doble SCF to go clean in a fast time of 37.73 seconds.

After the next three horses had faults, Cawley took the lead with a clean round in 37.21 seconds to win.

McGuane placed second and Nicky Galligan oI reland finished third with the fastest four-fault round of 40.69 seconds on Jolly-Jessy.

“I watched Philip go, and he’s blazing fast and that horse is blazing fast,” said Cawley, Lake Placid Grand Prix champion in 1999. “When he turned back to the third jump, it was a little dicey, and when he cleared it, I thought ‘game over.’ But I went in and gave it the best shot I could and somehow, I’m not sure how, we caught him.

“Lorona is just learning how to go fast," said Cawley. "She’s 10, but she’s green, and I guess she figured it out. She’s been amazing all spring and summer. She’s jumped a lot of clean rounds. I just started going fast with her in May. She’s picked it up quickly and I couldn’t be more happy or proud of her.”

Samuel Hutton won in Lake Placid while Lillie Keenan won at Spruce Meadows

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July 4, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Samuel Hutton of Great Britain on Etincelle D’Ellipse won the $32,000, FEI 3* Speed Class on Friday, July 3 at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the Lake Placid Horse Shows

Samuel Hutton on Etincelle D'Ellipse (Photo by KindMedia)On the same day, Lillie Keenan on For Kicks won the 1.55m Cup, the final qualifying event for the $1 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows in Alberta, Canada.

Hutton won over a field of 25 at Lake Placid.

Eight-time Olympic veteran Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil on Ziggy Stardust was the first to go in the speed class over a course course designed by Alan Wade, course designer for the 2028 Olympic Games, and he set a tough time to beat with a clean round in 66.94 seconds.

Pessoa’s lead held for half the class until Hutton finished clean in 66.70 seconds.

None of the remaining 12 entries could match Hutton’s clean time, with the closest being Vasco Flores of Puerto Rico on Stena, who finished clean in 67.79 seconds on Stena to place third, with Pessoa's time holding on to place second..

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Kent Farrington won in Traverse City

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July 3, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Kent Farrington on Diakatisa opened the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival with a win in Thursday’s $31,100 CSI3* Welcome Stake.

Kent Farrington on Diakatisa (Photo by Naralie Suto)Though he had a great week to close the Spring Series with his top mount Greya, Farrington’s focus is back on the youngsters he is developing.

The Olympic silver medalist entered two 9-year-olds in Thursday’s class, and both were clean over Martin Otto’s course.

There were 19 clean, but Diakatisa won by over a second.

“She’s really learning the ropes and learning how to compete,” Farrington said

“She’s getting better and better at her job. It’ll be fun to see where she ends up in the future.”

“It’s hard to find good horses, so I try to pick talent when they’re young,” he said. “Some of them look a little bit wild and unrideable, we try to do the best we can to train them and some of them make it up the ranks into hopefully being stars for the future.”

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Giavanna Rinaldi and Brianne Goutal-Marceau won in Lake Placid

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July 3, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Giavanna Rinaldi on Big Beauty Z ironically won the $45,000 Brianne Goutal LLC FEI 3* Jump-off class on Thursday, July 3,  the day after Goutal-Martesu on S&L Marlon VD Heffinck won the $5,000 FEI 3* Two-Phase class at the I Love New York Horse Show, the second week of the Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Giavanna Rinaldi on Big Beauty Z (Photo by KindMedia)Rinaldi rode two of the eight horses that reached the jump-off over the course designed by Alan Wade, course designer for the 2028 Olympic Games.

She was second to go in the jump-off on Caldaro Van De Oude Heihoef and had what turned out to be the fastest time, 37.19 seconds, but a rail down at the last fence cost her four faults, giving her an ultimate fourth place finish.

Molly Ashe Cawley on Lorena was the first clean in the  jump-off ride, taking the lead in 38.90 seconds.

Rinaldi on Big Beauty Z followed her on course and turned in what proved to be the winning ride, finishing clean in 38.55 seconds.

“My first horse is an 8-year-old, and he’s very green,” Rinaldi said. “I thought I would try to get him to learn something. He was doing everything that I asked and he has a really big stride, so I went for the leave-out at the last and ended up pushing him just a bit through it. A little bit of a green mistake, but he’ll learn from it and come back next time.

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Aaron Vale won the $250,000 Grand Prix at WEC

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June 30, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Aaron Vale on Helios du Moulin won the $250,000 Grand Prix CSI4* on Saturday evening, June 27 at the World Equestrian Center.

Aaron Vale on Helios du Moulin (Photo by Andrew Ryback)From a field of 20, eight were clean to make the jump-off over the course set by Alan Wade of Ireland. 

Third to go in the jump-off, Vale, who had won the $150,000 CSI3* Grand Prix the previous week, was the first to go clean, finishing in 41.74.

"I knew there were some fast ones behind me because the qualifying was inverted and some of the best ones went last," Vale said. "But I walked the plan. I was nine strides from one to two. There were two places I thought I could have gotten one less. Luis Sabino Goncalves was ultimately the only one that figured out the track to get it, and then he had the last jump down, so it worked out for us."

"You know, he's a small horse, but he is a fighter, said Vale. "And he just keeps doing it. It wasn't the biggest track tonight for a four-star. We wanted to have a jump-off. But still, somehow this horse just sneaks around these courses and you come out and say, 'Wow, that wasn't that hard,’ He’s a great little horse and has a great group of people that own him with me. He is just so fun.”

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Richie Vogel won two, including the Grand Prix, at Spruce Meadows

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June 30, 2026

By Staff Writers

ALBERTA, Canada--Ricjie Vogel on Gangster Montdesir won the 1.60m Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows under a pouring rain on Sunday, June 28.

Earlier file photo of Richie Vogel on Gangster Mondesir (Photo by Sportfot)Despite the rain, 31 competed over the course set by Anderson Lima of Mexico, but only two were able to go clean.

Kat Laurie of New Zealand on Django II was the first to go in the jump-off, and a rail down left the door open for Vogel.

Going conservatively to ensure a clean round, Vogel finished clean in 52.74 for the win.

Vaclav Stane of Czechia on Quintin was third with one time fault.

Despite the pouring rain and a stiff wind that caused the flags to flap noisily, the going remained incredibly good,

Water splashed with every stride, but the turf was hardly disturbed.

That was Vogel's third win of the day and his fourth in the four day show.

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Jordan Coyle won over McLain Ward in the Grand Prix of Lake Placid

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June 29, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Jordan Coyle of Ireland on Ariso won the $100,000 FEI 3* Grand Prix of Lake Placid to conclude week 1 of the Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Jordan Coyle on Ariso (Photo by KindMedia)Coyle won over a starting field of 35 horses, nine of which made the jump-off over the course set by Nick Granat.

Six-time U.S. Olympic veteran McLain Ward on First  Lady was the second to go in the jump-off, and he set the time to beat with a clean round in 41.80 seconds.

Ward’s lead held until Coyle returned on Ariso,who used the advantage of going late in the jump-off to shave six-tenths of a second off Ward's time, finishing clean in 41.23 for the win, 

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Charlotte Bettendorf won over Kent Farrington in Traverse City

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June 29, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Charlotte Bettendorf of Luxembourg .on Million Pleasure won the $15,000 1.40-1.45m Jumper Classic on Sunday, June 28 in the Traverse City Spring Series.

Charlotte Bettendorf on Million Pleasure (Photo by Natalie Suto)Bettendorf was clean in 41.381 seconds to beat Kent Farrington on Dolores PS, second in 42.569, with Alexandra Smith on Chagolando PS, as the only other clean in the seven horse jump-off, third in 44.106

“I started showing him in March in Ohio for the first time,” Bettendorf said of the 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding. “He started doing the 1.30m there and now he's doing the 1.45m so easily. I think he can do much more. I really like him. He's always ears forward doing his best. I think it's a competitive horse.”

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JJ Torano, McLain Ward and Lilly Ward win at Lake Placid

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June 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--JJ Torano on Lyon 50 won the $32,000 FEI 3* Speed Class on Saturday, June 27 during week one of the Lake Placid Horse Shows.

JJ Torano on Lyon 50 (Photo by KindMedia)Torano, amassing an amazing resume at just 16 years old, beat a field of 31, seven of which were clean in the Speed class.

Philip McGuane of Ireland on Donvier took an early lead in the class, finishing clean in 67.20 seconds over the one round course designed by Nick Granat.

The lead held for most of the class before Torano blazed over the course, finishing clean in 63.53 seconds, more than three-and-a-half seconds faster than McGuane.

None of the others could catch Torano’s time, giving the 16-year-old rider the win.

“I didn’t see Philip go, so I didn’t know what I had to do,” Torano said, “so I just went with the horse’s pace, which is very fast. He’s a real trier, he wants to win every class, so I just went with his pace. He’s very quick and competitive, and I can’t thank him enough.”

McGuane’s time held up for second place, with Jordan Coyle of Ireland third on Dexterity Z with a clean round in 69.09 seconds.

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Charlotte Jacobs wins over Kent Farrington in Traverse City Grand Prix

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June 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Charlotte Jacobs on Korbach van de Ranger won the $181,200 Traverse City CSI4* Grand Prix on Saturday, June 27, just one week after she won the CSI3* Grand Prix.

Charlotte Jacobs on Korbach van de Renger (Photto by Natalie Suto)Jacobs defeated world number one Kent Farrington on Greya in an eight horse jump-off.

Jacobs,, last to go in the jump-off, finished clean in 35.50 to beat Farrington, who finished in 35.81, by three-tenths of a second.

Shane Sweetnam on Pegina VD Bisschop was third in 36.14, and Ashley Vogel on Otis Blue, the only other clean in the jump-off, was fourth in 37.03.

“I’m over the moon,” Jacobs said. “I have an incredible group of horses. This is his second grand prix win in three grand prixs. He’s really impressed us lately. He’s hitting new strengths and getting faster so I’m really happy with him today.”

Lorback van de Ranger had previously won the Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon earlier this year.

“You just do the best you can do,” Jacobs said about coming in for the jump-off after Farrington and Greya, Rolex Grand Prix winners and a pair that hardly anyone can beat on their best day.

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Jordan Coyle was first and second in Lake Placid Jump-off class

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June 27, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Jordan Coyle of Ireland on Ariso won the $45,000 FEI 3* Jump-off Class on Friday, June 26 at the Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Jordan Coyle on Ariso (Photo by KindMedia)Coyle also placed second on For Gold against a field of 43,14 of which went clean to make the jump-off.

Going first in the jump-off, Coyle on Ariso was clean in a blazing time of 35.77 seconds.

None of the remaining entries could catch his time, with the closest being Coyle on his other mount, For Gold, on whom he took second place with a clean round in 35.99 seconds.

Nick Dello Joio finished third, clean in 36.14 seconds on Elvis De L’Othain, and six-time U.S. Olympic veteran McLain Ward on First Lady was fourth, clean in 36.49 seconds.

The top four were only separated by seven-tenths of a second.

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Roberto Teran Tafur on Dez' Ooktoff won the Traverse City Welcome Stake

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June 27, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Roberto Teran Tafur of Colombia on Dez'Ooktoff won the $62,500 Traverse City CSI4* Welcome Stake on Thursday, June 25.

Roberto Teran Tafur on Dez Ooktoff (Photo by Natalie Suto)“This horse has been with me for almost seven years,” Teran said. “He took me to Tokyo, the World Equestrian Games in Denmark, second place in the Rolex Grand Prix, but he has never been a fast horse. We have been training on the rollbacks and speed every single week, and it’s paying off. He was really fast today which was why I was so excited.”

With nine riders returning for the jump-off over he course set by Bernardo Costa Cabral’s of Puerto Rico, Teran wasn’t expecting to come out on top given the caliber of competition.

“I told my groom, ‘I’m going to take it easy and focus on the Grand Prix,’” he said. “Then I did fences one, two, and three and everything started showing up. Then I saw the long one for the vertical after the combination. He rolled back fantastic and everything just happened.”

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Vasco Flores and JJ Torano win at Lake Placid

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June 25, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Vasco Flores of Puerto Rico on Steno opened the international competition on Thursday, June 25 with a win in the $5,000 FEI 3* Two-Phase at the  Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Vasco Flores on Stena (Photo by KindMedia)Francesca Bolfo won the 1.40m Speed Challenge, and JJ Torano, at 16 years old, continues to win over top competition, winning the Caristo Family 1.30m Speed Class;

In the Two Phase, Flores was clean in 33.05 seconds to beat a field of 47 over the course set by Nick Granat.

“Today was fantastic, and I’m very happy to be here,” Flores said. “I’m very fortunate to have Stena right now; she’s a very competitive horse. She felt very comfortable in the ring. She thrives in these speed classes, and that’s why we brought her here. My plan was to set a pretty dominating pace right off the bat and hope for the best that it would stick to the end. I knew we had a pretty good round, so it was just dependent on how many others were going to chase that time. You never know at these big events; when you have a fantastic horse show like Lake Placid, everyone comes to compete.”

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Laura Chapot on Ginola won in Lake Placid

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June 25, 2026

By Staff Writers

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--Laura Chapot on Ginola won the 1.40m National Jumper Class on Wednesday, June 24 at the first week of the two Lake Placid Horse Shows.

Laura Chapot on Ginola (Photo by KindMedia)Chapot won the jump-off class over a starting field of 31.

Chapot was clean in the jump-off, finishing in 36.328 seconds for the win.

Last to go in the jump-off, Campbell Brown on Mansini LTD came closest to beating her, finishing the jump-off clean , but with a time of 37.207 seconds to finish second.

Third place went to Sam Walker, who finished the jump-off clean in 37.477 seconds on Sanchez K.

I've had Ginola since he was 6, and he's 10 now," said Chapot. "He's been gradually going up the ranks. He did the two star grand prix in Florida last winter. He's been a really consistent horse for me."

"He'll do the national grand prix Saturday," said Chapot. "We'll see how the horses do in the national division this week and maybe move up to the FEI division next week."  

Aaron Vale on Helios du Moulin won in Ocala

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June 23, 2026

By Staff Writers

OCALA, Fla.--Aaron Vale on Helios du Moulin won the $150,000 CSI3* Grand Prix at the World Equestrian Center on Saturday evening, June 20.

Aaron Vale on Helios du Moulin (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Over the course set by Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge of Brazil, only four went clean from a starting field of 36, and  Vale was one of only two clean in the jump-off.

After finishing third in Saturday morning’s $65,000 Grand Prix CSIU25, Tanner Korotkin on Kinmar Quality Hero had the first clear round of the night, and thus went first in the jump-off, and he finished with four faults in 38.71 seconds.

Argentina’s Luis Pedro Biraben on Vasco 109 was next to go in the jump-off, and he also had a rail down, finishing  in a slower time of  39.23 seconds.

Fellow Argentinian Tomas Yofre on Kingston was third to go in the jump-off, and he opted for a more conservative approach, going clean but in 44.41 seconds to take over the lead.

That left Vale as the final rider to return.

With only one clear jump-off round on the board, Vale faced a unique strategic decision on Helios du Moulin.

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Charlotte Jacobs wins over Kent Farrington in Traverse City

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June 21, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY. Mich.--Charlotte Jacobs on Rincoola Milsean won the $116,000 CSI3* Grand Prix on Saturday, June 20 at the Traverse City Spring Series.

Charlotte Jacobs on Rincoola Milsean (Photo by Natallie Suto)In an eight horse jump-off, Jacobs finished clean in 36.75 to beat Kent Farrington on Nikki Angel, clean in 36.98, and Spencer Smith on HHS Seattle, clean in 37.34.

“This horse is incredible,” Jacobs said of her horse, barn name Roy. “He came back from an injury, and it’s been a year now since he returned to competition. To win this Grand Prix is very meaningful. It’s his first big win since being back. It’s exciting.”

Traverse City was actually the last place they competed internationally before Roy’s injury.

“It’s full circle,” Jacoba said.

In September of 2024, the pair had a clean sweep of the entire FEI division, winning all three CSI3* classes.

“This is something I really wanted to do, to get back here and have success with him again," she said. "It feels really good and I’m very happy.”

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U.S. second in thrilling Rotterdam Nations Cup

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June 20, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

 ROTTERDAM, Netherlands--In a competition that showcased the most exciting aspects of show jumping, Great Britain, the U.S. and Switzerland tied for the win after two rounds in the Nations Cup in Rotterdam League of Nations on Friday, June 18.

Mariiyn Little on La Contessa (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)Then in the jump-off for the win, the three riders were separated by a mere four-tenths of a second.

Great Britain's Harry Charles on LT Holst Freda, a relatively new ride, was  first to go in the jump-off and finished in 31.18, then Marilyn Little on La Contessa finished just seven-one hundreds of a second back in 31.25

It looked like Jason Smith of Switzerland on Picobello van't Roosakker, with the advantage of going last, might win, but he finished in 31.64 to place third.

So the British team of Charles, Ben Maher on Catelly, Sienna Charles with Chawton and Jessica Mendoza on Summerhouse won with the U.S. team of Little, Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque, Katie Dinan on Out of the Blue SCF and Callie Schott on Garant second, and Switzerland third.

"We’ve got a great team here,” Britain's chef d'equipe Di Lampard said. “I think it was a wonderful day of sport and a fantastic course that was fair to the horses as well. To finish with three teams in the jump-off. Wow.”

It was a thrilling cliff-hanger all the way, as team scores changed with every rider in round one.

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Kent Farrington won on a young horse in Traverse City

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June 20, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich,--Kent Farrington on Diakatisa won the $31,100 CSI3* Speed on Friday, June 19 during week three of the Traverse City Spring Series.

Kent Farrington on Diakatisa (Photo by Natalie Suto Photography)World No. 1 Farrington uses Traverse City to develop his younger horses into international competitors.

There were 27 entries competing over the oourse set by Andy Christiansen of Ecuador, and nine went clean.

Farrington finished in 59.24 to win by over three seconds, with Charlotte Bettendorf on Kalliope second in 62.93 and Victoria Heurtematte on Condara third in 63.84.

“I thought my horse was great,” Farrinton said. “With her I wanted to practice going full tempo and teaching her to look for the jumps. I think she handled it great today.”

Despite going later in the order, Farrington said he didn’t change anything about his plan with Diakatisa.

“Overall her rate of speed is just higher than most horses,” he said. “I did a couple fast options and kept the track tight around the end, but I don’t think there was one spot that took the class today.”

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Spencer Smith won the $116,000 Grand Prix in Traverse City

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June 14, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Spencer Smith on Keeneland won the 116,000 CSI4* Grand Prix on Saturday, June 13 during the second week of the Traverse City Spring Series.

Spencer Smith on Keeneland (Photo by Natalie Suto)All six in the jump-off went clean, turning the class into a race against the clock.

“I have such a good horse here with Keeneland,” Smith said. “I’m working on jump-off turns with him and getting better every round. He’s jumped a lot of Nations Cups and double clears but we haven’t gone so fast, so we’re building on that every year.”

With five other extremely fast horses to face over Meghan Rawlins’ course, Smith tried not to compare his plan to others’ and trusted the partnership he’s built with Keeneland.

With a few still to come after his round, he was able to retain his lead as the class came to a close.

Smith finished in 48.47 to win over Charlise Casas on Kanny-Fee, who finished in 49.30, and Molly Ashe Cawley on Lorona, who stopped the clock in 49.34.

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U.S. 9th in La Baule Nations Cup, McLain Ward 2nd in Prix Saur

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June 13, 2026

By Staff Writers

LA BAULE, France--France won the CSIO5* 1.60m Nations Cup in La Baule, beating Germany and Ireland on Friday, June 12.

McLain Ward on High Star Hero was second in the Prix Saur (This is an earlier photo by  Shannon Brinkman)The U.S. team of Laura Kraut on Baloutinue, Lillie Keenan on Kick On, Natalie Dean on Mr. Bombastic and McLain Ward on Lestro VD Valckenborg finished the first round with 12 faults to place ninth, not qualifying for the second round.

 Kraut went first for the U.S., and had four faults, Keenan had an uncharacteristic eight faults, and Dean was clean, so Ward, last to go, could have had four faults and the team would have qualified fifth for round two,

But Lestro stopped at an early fence, a wall, and with time faults Ward finished with 24 faults and the team was out of round two.

That's how close it was - one stop and the team went from fifth to ninth.

"Lestro is a relatively new ride for McLain, and he's still getting know him," said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland. "McLain just over corrected on the turn too the wall and Lestro stopped."

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Daniel Bluman won the $200,000 Upperville Jumper Classic

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June 8, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

UPPERVILLE, Va.--Daniel Bluman of Israel on Hummer Z won the $200,000 Upperville Jumper Classic in a six horse jump-off on Sunday, June 7.

Daniel Bluman on Hummer Z (Phoo by Erin Gilmore)Over the course set by Alan Wade, Bluman, second to last to go, finished clean in 34.95 to win over Chloe Reid on Crossover 4, clean in 36.74, and Sloane Coles on Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve, clean in 37.43.

Saturday evening, Lilly Ward, who rode Woodlands Corduroy in medium ponies, had kidded her Dad, McLain, saying, "I've won two classes and you've won only one."

Her boast stayed true as Ward on First Lady in the Classic had a rail down to finish fourth with four faults in 35.13.

Jacob Pope on Highway FBH was fifth with for faults in 43.71, and Vanessa Hood on Vins VD Tojopehoeve was sixth with four faults in 45,44,

"Hummer has been unbelievable for for me," said Bluman, world ranked 12th. "I've had him for three years. He was developed by Beezie Madden. He's been nothing but great for me."

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Caroline Pamukcu and Phillip Dutton win in 4*-L and 4*-S in Bromont

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June 9, 2026

By Staff Writers

BROMONT, Canada--Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Double Sixteen and Phillip Dutton on Denim maintained their positions after cross country in the show jumping phase to win in CSI4*-L abd CCI4*-S divisions respectively at the Bromont CCI on Sunday, June 7.

Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Double Sixteen (Photo by Cealy Tetley)The CCI4*-L division featured three former racehorses, one of which was the winner,, HSH Double Sixteen, who had raced in Ireland before starting his career with Irish eventer Leila Barker and then went on with Pamukcu.

Pamukcu had ridden warmbloods, but changed her mind while based with New Zealand Olympic rider Andrew Nicholson.

“Andrew told me, if I want to be a proper five-star rider, I need to get more blood horses,” she said. “So I called up my business partner, Kelley Hutchinson, and said ‘We need a Thoroughbred!’ And she was like ‘I have one!’”

From the moment Pamukcu sat on HSH Double Sixteen, she knew he was the one.

Following a quick cross-country on Saturday, Pamukcu had a rail and some time in hand with “Six” but wound up with more space.

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Caroline Pamukcu and Phillip Dutton lead after cross country at Bromont

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June 7, 2026

By Staff Writers

BROMONT, Canada--Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Double Sixteen leads in the four star- long.and Phillip Dutton on Denim leads in the four star- short after the cross country at the Bromont CCI.

Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Double Sixteen (Photo by Cealy Tetley)Over the course designed by Derek di Grazia and Jay Hambly, and with persistent rain hovering throughout the day, Pamukcu, the first to compete over the course, was clean with just 4.0 time penalties to finish on a total of 39.5.

After the morning withdrawal of dressage leader Sharon White on Claus 63, Pamukcu is now in the lead.

HSH Double Sixteen raced in Ireland before beginning his eventing career with Irish rider Leila Barker.

Pamukcu picked him up with the intention of reselling him, but after three years in which the gelding went unsold, Pamukcu struck up a partnership of her own with him.

He’s become one of her most consistent CCI4*-S horses, winning four times at the level. 

“He's kind of a weird little pony, but I really have so much fun with him,” Pamukcu said. “He's like a little dirt bike. He gave me a really good feeling in the beginning; everything rode to plan. I should have done a better job on dressage, but I wasn't so wound up because I saw we were gonna have rain, then I walked the course before I did my dressage test, so I knew I didn't have to be so stressed.”

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U.S. fourth in St. Gallen Nations Cup

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June 6, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland--The U.S. finished fourth in the Nations Cup in St. Gallen on Friday, June 5 in a competition won by the home team of Switzerland.

Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25 earlier this year in Ocala (Photo by Andrew Ryback)Aaron Vale on Gray's Inn also won the featured Speed and Handiness on Thursday and was second in the featured Prize Suttero Speed on Saturday.

The competition was so close in the Nations Cup that the U.S. was just one rail out of second place in the CSIO5* 1.60m class.

The team of Katie Dinan on Out of the Blue SCF, Mimi Gochman on Iron Maiden, Charlotte Jacobs on Playboy JT  and Aaron Vale on Carissimo finished on 20 faults, with Switzerland winning on eight faults, Austria second on 16 faults and Great Britain third on 17 faults.

 "We had a good day," said chef d'equipe Robert Ridland. "We just had too many four fault rounds. We weren't that far sway from the podium, just one rail. But finishing fourth is always annoying."

"We beat some pretty good teams," said Ridland. "The course was right on."

It was a tough course, with only two, Jason Smith of Switzerland and Katharina Rhomberg of Austria, going double clear.

In round one, Dinan had four faults, Gochman had 16, Jacobs finished with four faults and Vale was clean to be third on eight faults going into round two.

in round two, Dinan, Gochman and Jacobs all had four faults, but Vale had eight to add 12 faults to their first round score and finish on a score of 20.

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JJ Torano wins his second and third FEI classes

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June 6, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

UPPERVILLE, Va.--JJ Torano, still just 15 years old, won his second and third FEI classes at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show on Thursday and Saturday, June 4 and 6, and he did it on two different horses.

JJ Torano on Lyon 50 (Photo by Cealy Tetley)Torano on Lyon 50 won the $31,500 FEI/CSI4 Upperville Power & Speed Stakes on Thursday afternoon, but in a result that left spectators checking the scoreboard twice, Chloe Reid and Chelsea 179 matched Torano stride for stride, and Toano and Reid both finished clean with identical times to tie for the win.

Competing over  FEI course designer Alan Wade’s first international class of the week, both stopped the clock at 29.5 seconds.

McLain Ward on Lilesta GE, a brand new ride, finished third behind Torano and Reid, finishing clean in 30.64.

Torano then won the $31,500 Upperville Speed Stake on Saturday, but this time riding Dora Du Valon.

Torano was clean in 60.96 over Wade's speed course for the win.

Reid on Chelsea 179 was second, almost two seconds back in 62.43, and Stella Wasserman on Myla was third in 62.53.

Torano was also clean on Lyon 50 but finished slower, seventh in 63.89.

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Phillip Dutton leads the CCI4*S after dressage in Bromont

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June 5, 2026

By Staff Writers

BROMONT,  Canada--Phillip Dutton on Denim scored 29.3 to lead the CCI4*-S after two days of dressage on Friday, June 5 at the Bromont CCi.

Phillip Dutton on Denim (Photo by Cealy Tetley)Denim, who was sixth in the US Equestrian Open of Eventing Final at Morven Park in 2025, came into the weekend as the second-highest rated horse in the division.

He’s had 10 starts at this CCI4*-S level and this score beat his 30.4 six-run average dressage score.

Dutton said that he felt this performance was one of the gelding’s best performances to date.

Dutton was also both second and third in the CCI2*-L with Darwinn and United Mara, respectively.

Lucienne Bellissimo on Kitsch Couture HPK placed second in the CCI4*-S, scoring a 34.1, and Sharon White,  the CCI4*-L with Claus 63, on Jaguars Duende scored 34.5 for third place following the dressage.

While on Claus 63 leads theCCI4*-L on a score of 31.4 going into the cross country.

White on Claus had placed fourth in the Lexington CCI4*-S in Kentucky in April.

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Sue Lyman on Kensington Court won the Thoroughbred Hunter Derby

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June 4, 2026

By Staff Writers

UPPERVILLE, Va.--Sue Lyman on Kensington Court won the inaugural $25,000 Upperville Thoroughbred Hunter Derby on Tuesday, June 3 at the Upperville Colt & Horse Show.

Sue Lyman on Kensington CourtThe class drew close to 70 entries to compete in the two round competition over fences 3' in height, and as each horse went the announcer listed the horse's breeding and past history as a race horse.

The thoroughbreds just stepped over the 3' fences that didn't allow them to show the superb jumping ability of the thoroughbred.

Lyman won with a score of 173,5, with Caden Nolt on Gio Lemon second on 173, and Madison Barnett on Comin' Back third on 164.

Kensington Court is by Giants Causeway out of Backseat Rhythm, by El Corredor.

Gio Lemon is by Gio Ponte out of Bitter Lomon, by Lemon Drop Kid, and Comin’ Back is by Competitive Edge out of Maydell, by Sky Classic.

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