Competitions

Reese Hajdu and Lauren Grosby win at Devon Fall Classic

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September 14, 2026

By Staff Writers

DEVON, Pa.--Reese Hajdu placed both first and second in the $5,000, 1.25m Junior Jumper Classic on Sunday, Sept.13 at the Devon Fall Classic.

Reese Hajou on Unique VD Heffinck Z (Photo by Phelps Sport)Junior and Amateur riders brought show jumping competition to a close at the Devon Show Grounds on Sunday.

Junior jumpers were up first, with Hajdu on the Zangersheide mare Unique VD Heffinck Z ultimately winning the $5,000 1.25m Junior Jumper Classic.

The class featured 10 competitors, with Hajdu the only rider to advance to the immediate jump-off on both of her mounts.

Hajdu on Unique VD Heffinck Z, was clean and fast to nail down the top spot on the leaderboard with a jump-off time of 40.406 second

Then, riding her Zangersheide gelding, Princeton Z, Hajdu finished the jump-off in 42.00 seconds to also place second, while Reagan Jarrett on Fibonacci S was third.

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Alex Matz won the Devon Fall Classic Grand Prix

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September 13, 2026

By Staff Writers

DEVON, Pa.--Alex Matz on Omthago VDL won the $25,000 Devon Fall Classic Grand Prix Saturday evening, Sept. 12 at Devon.

Alex Matz on Omthago VDL (Photo by Phelps Sport)Matz had the only clear round of the four that made the jump-off from the starting field of 37.

Matz entered the Grand Prix with two young horses, giving both a valuable opportunity to gain experience in the atmosphere of the Dixon Oval.

“I brought two young horses, and I think they both exceeded my expectations,” Matz said. “You never know how they’ll do under these lights and with this atmosphere, so I think it was a great learning experience. The result is just the cherry on top.”

“I thought tonight’s course was difficult enough,” he said of the course set by Manuel Esparza of Mexico. “There were only four clear out of 37, so it was challenging, but it was fair.”

Matz was clean in 35.160 seconds to be the only competitor to finish the Grand Prix without a fault.

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Taylor Madden won the Devon Fall Classic Speed Stake

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September 12, 2026

By Staff Writers

DEVON, Pa.--Taylor Madden on Manhattan VDL won the $10,000, 1.40m Speed Stake on Friday evening, Sept.11 at the Devon Fall Classic.

Taylor Madden on Manhattan VDL (Photo by Phelps Sport)Madden was clean in 57.788 on Manhattan VDL to win and also placed third on GCS Angelique,clesn in  60.585,while Cian McDermott on Illethe B S finished second, clean in 59.352 seconds.

Madden ron GCS Angelina went early om the class, setting an early time to beat, and then, going after McDermott, she knew the time she had to beat on Manhattan VDL, and she knew exactly where she could make up valuable seconds.

“My first horse is only 7, and she spends a lot of time in the air naturally, so it didn’t feel super fast to me,” Madden said. “I knew with him I could be faster, and when someone did beat me, I knew I had to be faster. I knew what I didn’t do as fast on my first course and that I could make it up on the next one.”

“Just tighter turns and being a little quicker on the ends of the ring,” Madden said. “I stuck to the same number of strides and the same inside turns.”

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Morgan Ward-Knowlton won at the Devon Fall Classic

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September 11, 2026

By Staff Writers

DEVON, Pa.-Morgan Ward-Knowlton on Qornet VD Bisschop won the $5,000, 1.40m Welcome Jumper Stake on Thursday evening, Sept.10 at the Devon Fall Classic.

Morgan Ward Knowlton on Qornet VD Bisschop (Photo by Phelps Sport)Under a format in which those who had gone clean immediately continued into the jump-off, 30 competed over the course set by Manuel Esparza of Mexico.

Ultimately, it was Morgan Ward-Knowlton on Qornet VD Bisschop, who was clean in the jump-off in 31.072, who was the winner.

Ward-Knowlton also rode GF Diego in Thursday night’s class, the same horse with whom she finished second in last year’s Welcome Stake.

Laura Chapot placed second on C&C Willow, clean in 31.610, and Alex Matz on Omthago VDL, clean in 32.53, was third.

“It feels great! When I saw Laura chasing me again, I was like, ‘Oh no.’ It was amazing,” Ward-Knowlton said of turning the tables this year after finishing second to Chapot in last year’s Welcome Stake.

Ward-Knowlton and Qornet VD Bisschop will return to the Dixon Oval Saturday evening to compete in the $25,000 Devon Fall Classic.

Opening-day competition also featured the $1,000 Junior/Amateur 1.30m Jumper class.

Melissa Strawser on Darwin De Mars was the winner.

“I was using today as a warm-up,” said Strawser, who is recovering from a recent injury and competed Thursday in a borrowed helmet after forgetting her own.

Despite the circumstances, Strawser and Darwin De Mars quickly found their stride in the historic Dixon Oval.

“Darwin felt great,” she said. “He felt energetic, and he loves the Dixon Oval. He was on his game today.”

“It’s always nice to start with a win. It just sets the tone for the weekend, and I’m really excited to continue on Friday and Saturday under the lights at Devon.”

Grace Haley on Concentalla PS placed second, while Niamh Campbell on Mystique, rounded out the top three.

Lillie Keenan on Kick On won the Cana Cup at Spruce Meadows

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September 11, 2026

By Staff Writers

CALGARY, Canada--Lillie Keenan on Kick On won the 1.55m Cana Cup against a field of top international riders on Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Spruce Meadows Masters.

Lillie Keenan on Kick On (Photo by Mike Sturk)Keenan was clean in 41.03 to win over Sophie Hinners of Germany on Iron Dames My Prins, clean in 43.78, with Ben Maher of Great Britain on Catelly, clean in 47.11, third in a three horse jump-off.

Despite wet weather earlier in the day, the drizzle began to fade as competition got underway in the Cana Cup.

Knowing the strength of the field, FEI Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezueal set a challenging track for the 54 competitors. 

Time was tight from the start, and only three managed to produce clear rounds and advance to the jump off.

With victory — and a coveted spot in Sunday’s ‘International’ Grand Prix— on the line, Keenan was the last of the three to return to the International Ring in the jump off.

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Daniel Coyle won at Spruce Meadows

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September 10, 2026

By Staff Writers

SPRUCE MEADOWS--Daniel Coyle on Calippo 57 won the Cardel Holmes Cup 5*, 1.55m competition on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at the Spruce Meadows Master.

Daniel Coyle on Calippo 57 (Photo by Mike Sturk)The world’s top show jumping riders entered the International Ring for the first time today as international competition officially got underway at the Masters.

With qualification opportunities for the Grand Prix on the line throughout the week, riders are looking to put themselves in the best possible position early in the tournament.

With many of the world’s top riders competing, FEI course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela had his work cut out for him.

From a starting field of 55, 21 went clean  in the first round of the 1.55m Cup, showcasing the depth and caliber of the field assembled for this year’s ‘Masters’.

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Rodrigo Pessoa won at Old Salem

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September 10, 2026

By Staff Writers

NORTH SALEM, N.Y.--Eight-time Olympic veteran Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil on Ziggy Stardust won the $5,000 2* Two Phase on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at the Old Salem Farm September Horse Shows.

Rodrigo Pessoa on Ziggy Stardust (Photo by ESL Photography)Pessoa was clean in 24.57 seconds to win, and he was also third on Giorgio D’Ellipse, clean in 25.50 seconds over the course set by Alan Wade.

Olympian Luis Fernando Larrazabal of Venezuela on Kannonball was second in 25.32 seconds.

“This horse has not shown in a couple of weeks, and he’s jumping again tomorrow,” Pessoa said. “Today was an opportunity to do a nice, working round. He goes better when he has a little bit of pace, so without looking to do anything crazy, my goal was to let him float around and get ready for tomorrow. I’m grateful we came up with a win.”

Earlier in the day, many of the FEI riders had their first rides in the Old Salem Farm International Arena during the national $3,000 1.30m Open Jumper, won by  Samantha Schaefer on Emely Van De Pluimert Z, clean in 26.406 seconds .

The $2,000 1.20m Open Jumper immediately followed, with McKayla Langmeier on Conmitage winning in 31.572 seconds.

Kent Farrington on Dolores PS won in Traverse City

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September 8, 2026

By Staff Writers

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Kent Farrington on Dolores PS won the $116,050, CSI3* Grand Prix on Sunday, ,Sept. 6 in Traverse City.

Kent Farrington on Dolores PS (Photo by Natalie Suto)Farrington thus was the podium in two different countries within a span of 24 hours.

Late Saturday night, he placed second in the CSI5* Grand Prix in Canada, then made it back to Traverse City Sunday in time for the Grand Prix, which he won on Dolores PS.

“I’m thrilled with this horse,” Farrington said. “She’s very new stepping up to this level; it’s her first three-star Grand Prix. She had her first international show a week ago and she won a class there too, so off to a great start.”

“With young horses I always say there’s hope and hype and I don’t like to hype anything so I have hope for the moment,” Farrington said. “The horse came from a friend of mine, Emanuele Camilli, he told me the horse was great and one I should have on my team. So far so good, and I’m looking forward to the future.”

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JJ Torano won the National Grand Prix at HITS

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September 7, 2026

By Staff Writers

SAUGERTIES, N.Y.--JJ Torano on I Am Inge won the $75,000 National Grand Prix on Sunday, Sept. 6 at HIT Hudson Valley.

JJ Torano on I Am Inge (Photo by ESI Photography)Only four from the starting field of 21 were clean over the course set by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal. 

Stella Wasserman withdrew her mount Tick a Lu from the jump-off, giving her fourth and leaving three remaining contenders for the top prize.

Christian Coyle of Ireland on Ballyoskill Big Bucks, first in the jump-off, had four faults in 40.941 seconds,

Nest to go, Torano on I Am Inge was fast and clean in 39.897 seconds for the lead.

Laura Chapot on Ginola then had 12 faults in 44.340 seconds to place third., and Coyle was second, while it was once again Torano won.

McLain Ward on La Serra, fastest of those with four faults, was fifth in 68.916 and Chapot on C&C Willow was sixth with four faults in 70.054.

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McLain Ward on Jordan Molga M won the $65,000 Welcome Stake at HITS

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September 4, 2026

By Staff Writers

SAUGERTIES, N.Y.--McLain Ward on Jofdan Molga M won the $65,000 CSI3* Welcome Stake on Thursday, Sept. 3 at HITS Hudson Valley.

Mclain Ward on Jordan Molga M (Photo by ESI Photography)Over the course set by Bernardo Cabral of Portugal, 10 of the 30 competitors went clean to go on to the ump-off.

 Alesandra Volpi on Madjick, first to go in the jump-off, immediately set the time to beat, clean in 38.660 seconds, which held until Adrienne Sternlicht on Rebelline de Kwakenbeek, shaved just over a full second from Volpi’s time to finish in 37.210 seconds to eventually place second..

Then Ward, despite his leg taking out a directional flag, was clean in 36.130 seconds for the win.

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Karl Cook on Foxy de la Roque won in Traverse City

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September 4, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.--Karl Cook o Foxy de la Roque won the $31,020 CSI3* Speed on Thursday, Sept. 3 at the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament.

Karl Cook on Foxy de la Roque (Photo by Natalie Suto)Cook was clean in 61.37 seconds to win over Ireland’s Paul O’Shea on Spy,, who finished in 61.48, just 0.11 seconds slower, while Abby Funk on Hulla Hoop was third in 63.08 seconds from the 24 entry field

Cook arrived in Traverse City after a European tour that included a milestone victory at the Dublin Horse Show in August, where he won the 1.60m CSIO5* Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes on Foxy for their first international five-star win together.

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JJ Torano won the FEI 3* Jumper Classic at HITS

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September 4, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

SAUGERTIES, N.Y.--JJ Torano on Dora du Valon won the $31,020 CSI3* Jumper Classic on Wednesday, Sept.2 at HITS Hudson Valley.

JJ Torano on Dora du Valon (Photo by ESI Photography)Over the Power and Speed course set by Bernardo Cabral of Portugal, Torano went 10th of 34 and finished clean in 29.120, almost two seconds faster then second placed Christian Coyle of Ireland on Chicago CM, who finished in 30.730, and Jonathan McCrea on Compari was third in 30.970.

Nineteen of the 34 went clean in the Speed phase, but Torano was still the fastest of them all.

It was Torano's fourth win of the HITS season on Dora du Valon.

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Kent Farrington won the $400,000 Hampton Classic Grand Prix

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August 31, 2026

By Staff Writers

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--World #1 Kent Farrington on Greya just beat World #12 McLain Ward on Lestro VD Valckenborg in a thrilling two horse jump-off in the $400,000, 5* Hampton Classic Grank Prix on Sunday, Aug. 30.

Kent Farrington on Greya (Photo by  KindMedia)From a starting field of 31 that included a number of the top riders in the world, only Farrington and Ward went clean over the course set by Nick Granat.

Farrington, first to go in the jump-off, finished in 41.820 on the very fast World #1 mare Greya.

Ward, on the relatively inexperienced Lestro, had a stutter step before fence two when Lestro perhaps was confused as to where to go, and that may have cost him the class as he finished in 42.560, just a little over a half second behind Farrington.

Olympic gold medalist and World #19 Christian Kukuk of Germany on Akarad Tivoli Z was third as he fastest of those with four faults in 76.280.

Over the very difficult course, only five went with as little as four faults.

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Jacqueline Ruyle won the 2* Grand Prix at Hampton Classic

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August 31, 2026

By Staff Writers

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--Jacqueline Ruyle on Cyramo Z won the $70,000 Hampton Classic 2* Grand Prix on Sunday, Aug. 30.

Jacqueline Ruyle on Cyramo Z (Photo by KindMedia)Almost half the class of 40 went clean to make the jump-off over the course set by Nick Granat.

Ruyle won in 40.77 over Daniel Bluman of Israel on Gemma W, almost a second slower in 41.60, and Spencer Smith on Fantasia VD Vrombautshoeve was third in 42,18.

World #6 Bluman and former Hampton Classic Grand Prix champion Gemma W quickly climbed to the top of the leaderboard when they laid down a faultless jump-off round in 41.60 seconds, but Ruyle, going late in the class, finally was the one to beat his time.

“I saw Charlotte Jacobs go very early on, and I know she has a very fast horse,” Ruyle said. “I thought, ‘Wow, that’s really unbeatable. I don’t know how you could do it.’ And then everyone just kept catching her time, and I kind of forgot about those rides. I told myself, ‘Okay, I’m going to stick to my plan. I know I have a fast horse, and I’m going to go out there and have some fun.’

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Shane Sweetnam won the $62,500 Winning Round at Hampton Classic

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August 30, 2026

By Staff Writers

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--World #3 Shane Sweetnam of Ireland on Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z won the $62,500, 1.50m CSI5*Winning Round on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Hampton Classic.

Shane Sweetnam on Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z (Photo by KindMedia)Sweetnam finished clean in 42.88 seconds to win over Nayel Nassar of Egypt on Crislin Van Den Bosrand Z, clean in 43.89, with Tanimara Macari of Mexico on Quenala T, the only other clean, third in 44.,93.

Under the Winning Round format, the top 10 made the jump-off, carrying forward their faults from round one.

McLain Ward on First Lady was fourth with four faults in 42.73, Daniel Bluman of Israel on Hummer Z fifth with four faults in 43.43, and Erynn Ballard of Canada on Her Game Ball BG sixth with four faults in 43.87

“Coriaan naturally is a very fast horse,” Sweetnam said. “I’d seen Nayel go, and I knew I had to be at least that quick with a couple of fast riders coming after me; Jordan Coyle and Daniel Bluman (clean in round one) still had to go as well. I knew I had to take every chance I could."

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JJ Torano won the Junior/Amateur Classic and the Championship

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August 31, 2026

By Staff Writers

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--JJ Torano of Mohrsville, Pa. on Vitus K won the $30,000 Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic on Sunday, Aug. 30 at the Hampton Classic.

JJ Torano on Vitus K (Photo by KindMedia)From a starting field of 45, 10 were clean to make the jump-off over the course set by Nick Granat.

Following their win in Friday’s $10,000 Junior/Amateur Welcome Stake, Torano and Vitus K won once more on Sunday, while Torano also had won a National Grand Prix earlier in the week.

Torano finished clean in 32.430 seconds to win over Violet Tatum of Los Angeles, Calif., on BP Swifty, second in 32.660 seconds, and Isabel Coxe of West Lake Hills, Texas on ZG Bella was third in 35.126 seconds.

“I’d watched Violet from the screen, and she didn’t leave much on the table,” Torano said. “I thought, ‘Ooh, this is going to be a fast jump-off.’ But Vitus is a quick horse, and I know him super well. We have amazing trust in each other. It’s almost not a thought in my mind that I can’t catch somebody when I’m on him. I’m quite confident and really feel at ease with him, and I know we can really take a challenge together."

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McLain Ward and JJ Torano win at Hampton Classic

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August 29, 2026

By Staff Writers

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--World #12 McLain Ward on First Lady won the $116,100, CSI5* Grand Prix Qualifier, successfully defending his title in the class on Friday, Aug. 28 at the Hampton Classic.

McLain Ward on First Lady (Photo by KindMedia)Despite the unenviable position of going first in a 12 horse jump-off, Ward finished clean in what turned out to be the uncatchable time of 49.93.

Egypt’s Nayel Nassar on Orphea  HQ was just 0.02 seconds off Ward’s time, finishing in 43.95 seconds for second place , and Savannah Jenkins on Hector Du Ter was third with the only other clear jump-off round, finishing in 44.38 seconds. 

World #28 Aaron Vale on Carissimo 25, the fastest of the five with four faults, finished fourth in 44.50 seconds, Charlotte Jacobs on Playboy JT Z was fifth in 45.22 seconds and Skylar Wireman on  Barclino B was sixth in 45.43.

“It’s always nice to be in the winner’s circle here,” Ward said. “First Lady, Robin Parsky’s wonderful mare, is a great partner. She’s a very quick horse and very reliable, so I didn’t mind going early in the jump-off"

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Boyd Martin won Eventing's Advanced Final

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August 29, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Boyd Martin on Shanroe Cooley won the $60,000 USEA Advanced Final on Friday evening at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Boyd Martin on Shanroe Cooley (Photo by Haley Johnson)Martin, leading after cross country, added just .4 time faults in show jumping Friday evening to win the Championship on 40.5.

Mary Bess Davis on Imperio Magic, who was one of only two to jump clean without time faults in show jumping, moved up from fourth after cross country to finished as reserve champion on 44.3.

Maya Clarkson on Maks Mojo, second after cross country, had eight faults jumping to drop to third on 51.1.

Katie Lichen on HTS Jensen R and Hickstead Mustard finished fourth and sixth respectively on 54.8 and 54.9, while Buck Davidson on Sorocaima finished fifth on 54.8, tied with Lichen but slower cross country to break the tie.

“He's brilliant,” said Martin of the horse with the barn name of Dallas. “He's a fantastic jumping horse. For all the big shows that are really important, he seems to prance out there and jump like a stag. I felt like he jumped the course really well. We had a good warm up, and I’m very pleased with him tonight.”

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Charlotte Jacobs and Mark Bluman won at Hampton Classic

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August 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--Charlotte Jacobs om Cristiano Obolensky won the $32,000 CSI5* Two-Phase on Thursday and World #21 Mark Bluman of Israel on S&L Eyes 4U won the $32,000 CSI2* Grand Prix Qualifier on Friday at the Hampton Classic.

Charlotte Jacobs on Cristiano Obolensky (Photo by KindMedia)Jacobs was clean in 26.17 seconds to win over Nayel Nassar of Egypt on Crislin Van Den Bosrand Z, second in 26.46 seconds, and Samantha Schaefer on James Bond HX was third in 26.51 seconds.

In the first 5* class, many of the 62 competitors were just in for a school, but the top three finishers were within half a second of each other.

“First I jumped the horse that I’m going to ride in the Grand Prix on Sunday, and I knew I had Cristiano coming later,” Jacobs said. “I really wanted to take a swing and win the class with him. I was very happy with the results with both.

“My horse is naturally very, very fast, is ultra careful in the air, and has a lot of experience going quick,” she said. “I think that came into play today, and it just fell into our lap. Nayel and Samantha both had amazing rounds, so it was close. It was a great day today. My horses were great here last year, and we’re hoping for the best on Sunday.”

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Boyd Martin leads Eventing Advanced Final after cross country

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August 29, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Boyd Martin on Shanroe Cooley surged into the lead in the featured $60,000 USEA Advanced Final after a clean and fast cross country round on Thursday, Aug. 27 in the Kentucky Horse Park.

Boyd Martin on Shanroe Cooley (Photo by Lindsay Barreth)Ariel Grald on Obalix won the Open Intermediate Championship after finishing eighth in dressage, moving up to first after cross crountry and then going clean in show jumping to finish on 30.8 for the win.

Martin, just 10 days after helping the U.S. Eventing Team win the bronze medal at the World in Aachen, Germany, was third after dressage with Shanroe Cooley, barn name Dallas, and when overnight leaders Lainey Ashker on Lovedance and second-placed Isabelle Bosley on Conner had runouts on cross-country Martin moved into the lead, adding just 8.8 time penalties.

That was the fastest round of the day over Jay Hambly’s course at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Martin has Dallas five-star fit because he was named as an alternate for the World Championships, so he was confident heading out on course this morning.

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Laine Ashker leads Eventing Advanced Final after dressage

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August 27, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Laine Ashker on Lovedance leads the $60,000 USEA Advanced Final after dressage on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Laine Ashker on Lovedance (Photo by Lindsay Berreth)Asker, who has ridden Lovedance since the mare was 4 and won the Maryland International CCI4*-S in June, leads over a field of 20 on a score of 28.1.

Isabelle Bosley on Conner scored 28.4 to place second after dressage, and Boyd Martin on Shanroe Cooley will head into cross-country Thursday in third place on a score of 31.3.

“I'm in a good mental place,” Ashker said. “It's not always been up with my horse. I think it’s probably more down than up with my horse, and I feel like now I've been able to sort of figure her out to the extent that I can go in and have a strong test. We left a lot of points on the table. I thought there were some green moments, but I think there's still a lot more to come with her.”

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Overall, the U.S. had a very successful World Championship

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August 27, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN, Germany--The U.S. finished with six gold medals, thanks to an incredibly talented group of Para Dressage riders, and two bronze medals.

Kate Shoemaker on Vianne won three gold medals (Photo by Kim MacMillan) Aachen put on a spectacularly successful World Championship that included six disciplines, Jumping, Eventing, Dressage, Para Dressage, Driving and Vaultiing, and added in a new, three event competition for U25 riders.

The World Championship drew enormous entries, with many nations competing for their first time in a championships, and all those new nations competed quite well. a great indication of the future for equestrian sport.

Jumping had teams from 31 countries plus individuals from other countries, Eventing had  teams from 16 countries plus individuals, and Dressage had teams from 19 countries.

Rebecca Hart, Fiona Howard, Kate Shoemaker and Marie Vonderheyden won the Para Dressage Team gold medal, Howard,Shoemaker and Vonderheyden each won their Freestyle gold medal, and Shoemaker and  Vonderheyden also won gold in the Grand Prix.

The Eventing team of Will Coleman, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin and Caroline Pamukcu won the Eventing team bronze medal, rising from fifth after dressage to fourth after cross country and up to third with three clean round in jumping to finish third.

Coleman finished fourth individually.

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Mark Bluman won over JJ Torano at Hampton Classic

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August 27, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.--Israel’s Mark Bluman on Ubiluc won the $40,000 1.45m National Grand Prix for the second year in a row on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Hampton Classic

Mark Bluman on Ubiluc (Photo by KindMedia)Bluman, just back from competing for Israel in the World Championship in Aachen, finished clean in 33.057 seconds.

JJ Torano on I am Inge, also just back from Aachen, where he won the Speed in the U25 competition, placed second, clean in 33.622.

Ariana Marnell was third in 35.004 seconds on Jikke-Cara,

Nine of 19 competitors were clean over Nick Granat’s 15 jump course in the National Grand Prix, and eight returned to jump off.

Bluman was just the second to go in the jump-off, setting the time to beat at 33.057 seconds.

Everyone that followed did their best to beat him, but even Bluman’s second mount Phelina De Septon, who won the class in 2025, couldn’t beat that time.

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David Blake won at Hampton Classic to benefit Babington Foundation

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August 25, 2026

By Staff Writers

BRIDGEHAMPTON NY.--David Blake of Ireland on Gucci Des Embruns won the $30,000, 1.40m Jumper Challenge benefiting the Kevin Babington Foundation on Sunday, Aug. 23 at the Hampton Classic.

David Blake on Gucci Des Embruns (Photo by KindMedia)On opening day of the eight day show, Blake went clean against 27 competitors over the first course set by Nick Granat and returned to also go clean in the Winning Round in 45.754 to win. 

As a designated benefit class for the Babington Foundation, a portion of each horse’s Jumper Challenge entry fee was given directly to the Foundation,

The donation totaled $4,500.

The Foundation was created in 2019 to provide funding and support for equestrian show jumping riders who sustain spinal injuries.

In addition to providing financial assistance, the Foundation strives to educate riders, trainers and show organizers about the most current safety measures designed to reduce the risk of serious injuries that can occur while riding.

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Three Freestyle wins for U.S. Para Dressage

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August 24, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN, Germany--Kate Shoemaker on Vianne, Fiona Howard on Diamond Dune and Marie Vonderheyden on Fan Tastico H all won gold in their respective freestyle grades at the World Championships on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Kate Shoemaker thanks Vianne with a kiss (Photo by Kim MacMillan)Shoemaker finished on 83.305% to win in Grade IV Para Grand Prix Freestyle to win her third gold of the competition.

“This horse is so special, and the medals are icing on the cake,” said Shoemaker, who competes at Grade IV due to partial paralysis of her right leg from Periventricular leukomalacia, a brain injury that occurred at birth. “I decided that it's the last day and I was not going to hold back.”

Shoemaker made minor changes to her Paris 2024 freestyle, including the addition of four loops on the counter canter with a flying change.

The test was choreographed to music from the movie Forrest Gump. 

"It's the last day, the team is finished, so I just wanted to see if we could just have a little bit more in the trough and just not really hold back." said Shoemaker. "Vianne stayed relaxed and with me the whole time. I think we had our best extended trot of the entire competition, so I added it impromptu down the last centerline just for fun, because that wasn't originally in there. And then still came what felt like a beautiful halt to finish ,and she just walked out as relaxed as ever. So It's just amazing to have a horse that feels like she enjoys it so much."

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Chester Weber won Individual bronze in Driving

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August 24, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN, Germany--Chester Weber of Ocala, Fla., won the Individual bronze while the U.S. team finished fifth in Driving for Four-in-Hands on Sunday, Aug. 23 at the World Championship.

Chester Weber (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photo)Boyd Excell of Australia won his eighth consecutive World Championship gold medal on 142.64 over Dries Degrieck of Belgium, who won the silver medal on 148.85, while Weber scored 156.77for the bronze.

Netherlands won its record 112th Team gold medal on 315.13 over Australia, that won the silver on 317.13, and Belgium, that won bronze on 325.52, while the U.S.placed fifth on 354.91

Weber, with his team of Amadeus, Despardo, Kadora, Julius V, and Nico Tuesje C*, also placed third in the final Cones phase which won his the bronze after his world championship record-breaking dressage test on opening day gave him a significant edge.

His were the counting team scores in all three phases of the competition.

“I feel great, and the horses felt fantastic to drive," said Weber after Cones. "I had a little bit of a cheap fault very early on, which was my fault, so I was super pleased with the horses.” 

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Steve Guerdat won the Individual gold medal at the World Championship

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August 23, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN, Germany--Steve Guerdat of Switzerland on Dynamix de Belheme, won the Individual gold medal at the World Championship on Sunday, Aug. 23

Steve Guerdat on Dynamix de Belheme (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Guerdat was the only one to jump five clean rounds, including three over incredibly difficult courses that caused numerous riders to withdraw after problems on course and other top riders like Richie Vogel of Germany and Ben Maher of Great Britain to have stops.

Thibeau Spits of Belgium on Impress-K van't Kattenheye Z won the Individual silver to add to the Team silver he won on Friday, finishing on 5.60 penalties.

Harry Charles of Great Britain on LT Holst Freda made the biggest move of the day, climbing from 59th 23rd to third to win the bronze on 7.17.

McLain Ward and Laura Kraut made the top 25 but neither made the top12, with Kraut finishing clean jumping but with a foot on the tape at the water for four faults, finishing 14th on 9.06 and Ward with eight faults in the Final finishing 21st.

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The U.S. Para Dressage team won the Team gold medal at the World Championships

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August 23, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN, Germany--The U.S. team won the Team gold medal in Para Dressage on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the World Championship.

Kate Shoemaker on Vianne (Photo by Kim MacMillan)The team of Fiona Howard on Diamond Dunes, Marie Vonderheyden on Fan Tastico H, Rebecca Hart on Floratina and Kate Shoemaker on Vianne scored 236.135 to win the gold over Germany, that won the silver on 229.875 and Netherlands, that won bronze on 227.639.

Going Friday,, Howard scored 79.300, Vonderheyden scored 76.375, and Hart scored 73.533 to be the drop score.

Going Saturday, Shoemaker, a two-time U.S. Paralympian, clinched the gold medal as the final rider in team competition.

Her score of 80.460% for Grade IV was the highest individual total throughout team competition in Aachen, and it clinched the title.

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Chester Weber third after Driving Marathon

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August 23, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN, Germany--Chester Weber is third after the Driving Marathon while the team dropped to fifth on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the World Championships.

Chester Weber (Photo by Sarah Miller for MacMillan Photo)The rain added to the difficulty of the Marathon course that consisted of eight complicated obstacles.

After the dressage and marathon phases, Weber  is on 147.72 behind the leader, Boyd Excell of Australia on 142.34 and Dries Degrieck of Belgium on 147.72.

Bram Chandon of Netherlands is fourth on 157.20, meaning Weber can have two cones down abd stiil be the individual bronze medalist.

The team is fifth on a score of 333.26.

Weber's team consisted of Despardo, Kadora, Amadeus, and Nico Tuesje C, and he is only 4.27 points behind first place.

"I'm super proud of Amadeus," said Weber. "He''s 21 years old, and he's mu left wheel horse. He's half Hackney, and Hackneys are maybe not the best young horses. But when he settled into the job, the marathon really suits him."

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U.S. Jumping team fourth in World Championships

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August 22, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

AACHEN, Germany--The U.S. team finished fourth in Team Jumping behind Germany, Belgium and Great Britain on Friday evening, Aug.21 at the World Championships.

McLain Ward on High Star Hero (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Then on Sunday, JJ Torano rode on the team that won the team gold medal CSIY, a competition for U25 riders.

The U.S. team of Laura Kraut on Baloutinue, Katie Dinan on Out of the Blue SCF, Lillie Keenan on Fasther and McLain Ward on High Star Hero had been second going into the Final, but slipped to fourth with rails from all but Ward to finish on 16.85 faults.

It was a disappointment, but considering the fact that the team initially lost the World number one Kent Farrington, who decided not to compete on Greya, then lost Marilyn Little on La Contessa and then had to substitute Baloutinue for Kraut's top horse Bisquetta, it was still a great result.

It was an extremely tough course for the 10 top teams that made the Final, with four riders, or 10% of the class electing to withdraw after running into trouble on the course.

Kraut went first for the team and had one rail down, but then Dinan's Out of the Blue landed on top of the out of the three combination before the water, and instead of pulling herself together and trying to jump the water, Dinan elected to retire.

Keenan uncharacteristically had the first fence down and then another later in the course before Ward put in a beautiful clear round for the team to finish on 16.35.

Perhaps the ground at the first fence got a little slippery with the rain that fell all evening, because at least four riders had it down, which is very unusual.

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