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Spencer Smith won the $116,000 Grand Prix in Traverse City (2)

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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.

“I WAS trying to ride my plan as best I could,” he said. “I’m trying to push a little more to go faster because to beat these super fast riders you need to or else you’re always in the middle of the pack.”

“I think every day is pressure,” he said about riding a horse of Keeneland’s caliber. “With these good horses it’s such a nice opportunity to ride them, so I have to make the most of it every time.”

“It’s such a great show,” he said of Traverse City shows. “This is a great place to be in the summer. It’s beautiful. Amazing ground, amazing footing, great jumps, great management, nothing is better.”

U.S. team for Rotterdam Nations Cup (2)

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June 15, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky,--US Equestrian announced the riders selected to represent the Jumping Team for the Longines League of Nations Rotterdam CSIO5*, hosted in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, from June 18-21.

The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and supported by Team Leader Lizzy Chesson, with horses to be confirmed the week of the event.

The following riders have been selected to represent the U.S. Jumping Team and are listed in alphabetical order.

Karl Cook of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

Katie Dinan of New York, N.Y.

Marilyn Little of West Palm Beach, Fla.

Callie Schott of Wellington, Fla.

Competition Information

Competition in Rotterdam will begin on Thursday, June 18, with the first class of the week.

The Longines League of Nations Rotterdam CSIO5* two-round team competition will begin on Friday, June 19, with the first round beginning at 4:30 p.m., which is 10:30 a.m. Eastern, while the second round will start at 8:30 p.m., which is 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

The competition will conclude with the Longines League of Nations Rotterdam CSIO5* on Sunday, June 21, starting at 2:30 p.m., which is 8:30 a.m. Eastern.

Dr. Marvin Beeman, former President of MFHA, died June 14 (2)

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June 16, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

KIOWA, Colo.--Dr. Marvin Beeman, former President of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, veterinarian and huntsman at Arapahoe Hunt in Colorado died June 14.

Dr. Beeman"Dr Beeman passed away today when his horse tripped and fell on him," said Jeanne Sharpe, a longtime reader of and contributor to The Horse of Delaware Valley. "He was out with hounds."

The Masters of Foxhounds Association sent out a notice to its members:

"It is with great sadness that the MFHA announces the passing of its beloved and respected Dr. Marvin Beeman.

Dr. Beeman was President of this Association from 2008 to 2011.

He served for many years and up to the present as Chairman of the Veterinary Committee.

As such he was the chief proponent of the award winning MFHA funded research concerning leishmania and tick-borne diseases that has had a profound effect on hound as well as human health.

We sendour deepest sympathy to his cherished wife, Eunice.

We will miss Marvin's strong and quiet leadership that led u to achievements beyond our imagination.

Details to follow on how Dr. Beeman's life will be celebrated."

"HE WAS Huntsman at Arapahoe Hunt out here," said Sharpe. "He was really internationally known as Huntsman at Arapahoe as well as being a a Vet. He has a huge background and history"

'He certainly lived a full exciting life,' said Sharpe. "He always said that’s how he wanted to go. He is a true legend! There will be a huge Life Celebration."

"His incredible kindness, horsemanship and zest for life will be dearly missed," said Allison Deveraux Bailey.

"I'm sure he will be leading the hounds in heaven," said Jill Wright.

WEF expands to 215 acres (2)

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June 18, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Wellington International, home to the Winter Equestrian Festival, the Global Dressage Festival and Annual Series horse shows, announced the expansion of its equestrian footprint to 215 acres with the development of 98 acres into Wellington International South.

Set to open for competition in the fall of 2026, Wellington International South is being designed as a world-class venue for equestrian sport in North America, featuring green space, landscaping, ample shade for horses and spectators, and state-of-the-art competition facilities.

The new venue will serve as the future home of the Global Dressage Festival while also hosting FEI show jumping, hunter derbies, Under 25 jumping competitions, and seasonal events.

“This project represents the next chapter for equestrian sports in Wellington,” said Michael Stone, President of Wellington International. “We are building a venue that prioritizes the experience for horses, riders, owners, grooms, and spectators alike while continuing to elevate Wellington International as the premier horse sports destination in the world.”

Wellington International South has been planned to create an elevated and welcoming environment that blends elite equestrian sport with park-like surroundings.

THE NEW facility will include:

More than 98 acres featuring state-of-the-art competition facilities and modern VIP hospitality space
Expanded golf cart shuttle routes for ease of access to the North and South properties
Thousands of parking spaces for cars and golf carts
Ample restroom facilities
Permanent covered grandstands with seating for 1,500 spectators
Food and retail shopping areas by the CDI International Arena and Covered Arena
Covered spectator seating at all competition rings
Dedicated horse shade structures at each ring
A new horse show office
A horse and human-friendly bridge connecting the stabling and competition areas

Travis Gould and his team at JTWG, Inc., are leading the installation of the ebb-and-flow watering systems in the Covered Arena and CDI International Arena, as well as the placement of premium GGT Textile in the competition rings and bridle paths.

JTWG is also responsible for the construction and completion of all new riding rings across Wellington International South.

Competition & Schooling Arenas

CDI International arena measuring 250’ x 350’ (this arena will host up to 3,000 spectators)
4 additional national hunter/jumper competition rings (A-D), adding 290,800 sq ft of competition and schooling areas
2 national dressage ring(s) measuring 225’ x 420’
A grass derby field measuring 375’ x 325’
Dedicated FEI and national schooling and lunging areas
84,000-square-foot Covered Arena, constructed by Coastal Steel Structures

The new grass derby field is being constructed by turf expert Richard Hayden of Hayden Turfcare.

Hayden’s portfolio includes some of the world’s most prestigious sporting venues, including:

The RDS Arena in Dublin, Ireland
Hickstead Arena in Sussex, England
Karlswood Stables in Ireland
FIFA World Cup venues

The derby field will also feature a dedicated tailgating area designed to enhance the spectator experience.

The facility’s permanent barns, being completed by Barnwalkers in partnership with IDA Development, will include five 60-stall barns with wash racks, Equitan rubber surfaces, and integrated restroom facilities.

Each permanent barn includes:

60 permanent stalls
12’ x 12’ stall dimensions
Equitan aisle surfaces
Wash racks and restroom facilities

The unveiling of Wellington International South represents a major investment by Wellington Lifestyle Partners in the future of equestrian sport in Wellington, Florida, and North America.

This investment reinforces Wellington International’s commitment to delivering world-class facilities and experiences for generations to come.

As the venue prepares for its fall 2026 soft launch and full 2027 competition season debut, Wellington International South is poised to become one of the most advanced and thoughtfully designed equestrian facilities in the world.

Future plans for Wellington International South include additional hospitality and vendor spaces, more permanent barns and other amenities.

Kent Farrington won on a young horse in Traverse City (2)

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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.”

FARRINGTON typically spends the early summer in Traverse City developing younger horses before returning later in the season with a more established string for the Traverse City Fall Series.

“There are a lot of different levels of classes that I can get in the main ring and jump, from small to building my way up into the FEI division,” he said. “I can go back down if they need that. It’s a very productive few weeks for me in the summer.”

“We’ve got a bunch of young talented horses and I never get too up and never get too down,” he said. “I just keep developing the horses and see what they want to do in the sport. Ultimately that final decision is out of my hands. I put them in the best position to be their best.”

“In the summer you can see the best people producing their stars for the future that ultimately might be on the biggest stage like the Olympic Games or a World Cup Final,” he said.