Weekly Published Articles

Details

March 18, 2017

DOUBLE MARKET PLACE

MARKET PLACE

CLASSIFIEDS

Erynn Ballard Leading Lady Rider (2)

Details

March 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Canadian Olympian Erynn Ballard won the Overall Leading Lady Rider Award after amassing the most points over the course of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Erynn Ballard on Her Game Ball (Photo by Sportfot)The Leading Lady Rider Award was presented each week of WEF to the female rider who earned the most points based on performances in that week’s WEF Challenge Cup and featured grand prix event.

Despite not winning a weekly award, Ballard kept adding points to her total week after week with consistent performances.

At the end of the season, Ballard was on top the standings with a total of 557 points to win the Overall Leading Lady title.

Nina Mallevaey of France, winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award during WEF 7, finished a close second in the standings with a total of 539 points, and Marilyn Little, winner of the Leading Lady Rider Award during WEF 1 and 8, finished third overall with a total of 529 points.

“TO BE recognized as the leading female rider after 12 weeks of competition is a direct result of great horses, a great team, and great management,” said Ballard who has been based in Wellington, FL, for the past nine years riding professionally for Ilan Ferder Stables. “This award is very close to my heart. Winning the award from Martha Jolicoeur is so special as she has known me my whole life. I am proud to represent the ideal of a strong female role model in the sport, and I hope to be able to win this title for many more years to come. I will forever be supporting girl power and all the leading ladies.”

A long-time sponsor of the annual Winter Equestrian Festival, Jolicoeur initiated the popular Leading Lady Rider Award in 2010 in memory of fellow realtor, Dale Lawler.

Charlotte Jacobs on Rincoola Milsean won the $62,500 1.50m, going clean in 66.88, to finish less than a second in front of second placed Marilyn Little on Narado, who was clean in 67.52. 

Jordan Coyle of Ireland on Ariso was third in 68.2, with Laura Kraut on Una Mariposa fourth in 68.88, Natalie Dean on Acota M fifth in 69.31, and Ben Maher on Enjeu de Grisien sixth in 69.61.

Farrington and Ward lead U.S. contingent for World Cup (2)

Details

March 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--US Equestrian announced the USA Jumping and USA Dressage riders and horses that will compete in the FEI World Cup Finals in Ft. Worth, Texas, at Dickies Arena from April 8-12.

The FEI World Cup Final is held annually as an international individual final and will feature the disciplines of dressage and jumping across four days of competition.

USA JUMPING

The following will represent USA Jumping at the World Cup Final and are listed in alphabetical order.

Kaitlin Campbell of Temecula, Calif. on COSM Castlefield Cornelious

Katie Dinan of Wellington, Fla.on Out of the Blue SCF

Mimi Gochman of West Palm Beach, Fla. on Inclen BH

Kent Farrington pf Wellington, Fla. with Greya and Toulayna

Laura Kraut of Royal Palm Beach, Fla. on Tres Bien Z

Jacob Pope of Owings Mills, Md. on Highway FBH

Aaron Vale of Williston, Fla. on Carissimo 25

McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y. on Jordan Molga M

Skylar Wireman  pf Bonsall, Calif. with Barclino B, and Tornado

USA DRESSAGE

The following will represent USA Dressage at the World Cup Final and are listed in alphabetical order.

Kevin Kohmann of Wellington, Fla.on Duenensee

Christian Simonson of Ventura, Calif. on Indian Rock

COMPETITION INFORMATION

The  FEI Dressage World Cup Final will take place on Thursday, April 9, and Saturday, April 11.

• Thursday, April 9 – FEI Grand Prix at 7:00 p.m., which is 8:00 p.m. ET
• Saturday, April 11 – FEI Grand Prix Freestyle at 7:00 p.m. , which is 8:00 p.m. ET

The FEI Jumping World Cup Final will take place from Thursday, April 9, through Sunday, April 13.

• Wednesday, April 8 – Warm Up Class at 2:00 p.m. which is 3:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, April 9 – Final I at 2:00 p.m., which is 3:00 p.m. ET
• Friday, April 10 – Final II at 7:00 p.m., which is 8:00 p.m. ET
• Sunday, April 12 – Final III at 12:00 p,  which is 1:00 p.m. ET

Watch the 2026 FEI World Cup Final live stream on FEI.TV.

US Equestrian competing members, subscribers, and fans receive a 10% discount on a ClipMyHorse.TV Premium Subscription, including FEI TV. 

Pet Photos Honorable Mention by Heidi Szybowski (2)

Details

March 28, 2026

By Staff Writers

Heidi Szybowski of Hawley, Pa., took this photo of their Mini, Stanley,.a little Stinker, who is obviously interested in everyone's business there in the barn.

Kent Farrington on Greya won the $1 Million Grand Prix (2)

Details

March 29, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--World No. 2 Kent Farrington on Greya won the $1,000,000 Rolex US Equestrian Open Grand Prix,  a Rolex Series Event, in front of a huge crowd of 10,000 on March 28 during Saturday Night Lights.

Kent Farrington on Greya (Photo by Sportfot)

From a field of 40 that included six of the world’s top 10-ranked athletes, five advanced to the jump-off over Olympic course designer Guilherme Jorge’s  track.

"This was a million dollar class,"  said Farrington. "It had the best riders in the world. It was an incredibly strong starting field."

World number 2 Ben Maher of Great Britain on Enjeu de Grisien was first to go in the jump-off and finished clean in a fast time of 43,72

Third in the order, Farrington finished in 42.99 seconds to take over the lead, but had to wait through the last two very fast riders, Darragh Kenny of Ireland on Eddy Blue and Richie Vogel of Germany on Gangster Montdesir.

KENNY had a rail down, but Vogel was clean and faster than Farrington approaching the last fence.

Ben Maher on Enjeu de Grisien (Photo by Sportfot)But Vogel had the last fence down to finish third in 42.99, leaving the win to Farrington, with Maher second.

Kenny was fourth with four faults in 44.30, and Jordan Coyle of Ireland on Chaccolino was fifth with four faults in 44.57. 

“You never know if it’s perfect until the class is over, but I thought I put in a very competitive round,” said Farrington of his first five-star win of the year with Greya. “It’s always great to win at home. Wellington has become an equestrian community. They get a great local crowd that comes out here and cheers for all of us, but particularly the American riders, so it’s exciting to win here at home.”

Greya has 10 five-star grand prix victories.

“You have some good horses, maybe even some great horses, and then you have horses that are an outlier athlete, like I believe she is.," said Farrington. "She can do everything; she’s fast, she’s careful, she’s scopey, she’s rideable, she’s an incredible horse.”

"She's athletic, intelligent and careful, and she jumped her heart out tonight," he said.

“The best riders come out for these events, so we always have the highest level of sport, great prize money, and the prestige of a Rolex event puts us on the map,” said Farrington.

“It’s always hard to go first when you have these guys after,” said Maher. “Kent’s always there, and he’s always fast, but I’m proud of my horse. I’m happy and disappointed at the same time."

“There’s nothing he can’t do,” said Maher of Enjeu. “He was a little slow developing, but the older he gets, the better.”

“That’s why our sport is so exciting, it’s only over when it’s over,” Vogel said. “Unfortunately, there wasn’t great riding to the last fence, I should have done one less stride. Gangster was right there with me, and I’m super proud of how he performed and how he jumped."

“From the start, he answered all the questions,” said Vogel. “Every show he went to, he delivered, and he always tried his best. We have very high hopes for him. He could not have done anything better today.”

WEF first was part of the Rolex Series in 2025, joining a list of the most renowned equestrian sport venues in the world, including Rome, Italy; La Baule, France; Falsterbo, Sweden; Dinard, France; Dublin, Ireland; and Brussels, Belgium.

To open the evening, Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam was presented with the $25,000 Leading International Rider Award as the rider  with the most points throughout the season.

Pet Photos Honorable Mention by Virginia Lippincott (2)

Details

March 30, 2026

By Staff Writers

Virginia Lippincott took this photo.

"Three's NOT a crowd, taken at Leslie Kearn's Farm," said Lippincott.

Leslie Young won two at Cheshire Races (2)

Details

March 30, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

UNIONVILLE, Pa.--Leslie Young had two winners, including Uco Valley (Ire) in the featured $20,000 Cheshire Bowl, at the Cheshire Races on Sunday, March 29.

Kathy Neilson, Race Chairman (File photo)The races drew a good crowd to enjoy top notch racing on a sunny spring day.

Uco Valley, owed by Potter Group USA, Gaskells Waste Services and Ashwell Stable and ridden by Freddie Procter, won the 3 mile Cheshire Bowl Open Timber by 12 1/2 lengths over Marcel Magic, trained by Kathy Neilson, and Anzio, trained by Sandra Webb.

"He's a lovely horse, very athletic and a lovely mover," said Young. "He had some really bad luck last year. I'm glad he won, he deserved it."

Uco Valley finished second in both the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup and the International Gold Cup in October but was disqualified in two other races.

"He went wide around a beacon in Nashville, and they disqualified him," said Young. "He was running well at the Gold Cup in the spring but went off course and was disqualified."

"He'll go to My Lady's Manor next," said Young.

Leipers Fork Steeplechase's For the Parish (Ire), ridden by Procter, won the $15,000 Maiden Timber by 32 lengths over The Red Fox, trained by Todd McKenna, and The Ballybreen Fox (Ire), trained by Joe Davies.

"For the Parish is a good jumper, and he won some nice hurdle races for us," said Young. "We wanted to convert a horse to timber for his owners. He'll run over timber at Nashville, and maybe he'll run once in between."

"The ground was beautiful at Cheshire," said Young. "They put on a good show."

CHESHIRE Races was run as a point-to-point for years and then began to add recognized races a few years ago.

Cheshire now has four recognized races as well as unrecognized pony, side saddle, timber and flat races.

"I was delighted with the day," said Neilson, Chairman of Cheshire Races. "We had really good, quality horses. The attendance was strong, we had tons of general admission parking. I feel like the races are getting better and better. The event is definitely growing."

As well as serving a race chairman, Neilson saddled a winner and three second placed horses.

Neilson saddled Irv Naylor's Withoutmoreado (Ire), ridden by Teddy Davies, to win the Allowance Timber over Keys to Court (Ire), trained by Young, and Mystic Giggle, trained by Neilson.

"It was Teddy's first time riding Withoutmoreado and he gave him a great ride," said Neilson. "He's a beautiful rider. Withoutmoreado will go to Brandywine and then to the Grand National."

Ricky Hendriks saddled Del Rio Racing's Harrenhal (Ire), ridden by Virginia Korrell, to win the $15,000 Maiden Timber by 4 1/2 lengths over Lighting Ridge, trained by Sanna Neilson, and Total Joy (ire), trained by Young.

This was Korrell's 15th win as a jockey, so she now loses the weight allowance she had as as apprentice rider.

"I'm going to stay riding as an amateur for this year, and then maybe turn professional next year," said Korrell.

Davies saddled Armata Stables' De Nordener (Ire), ridden by Sophie O'Brien,, to win the $15.000 Apprentice Rider Timber by 1 1/2 length over Recoup (GB), trained by Neilson, and Huyana, trained by William Dowling.

Hendriks saddled Hidden Path, ridden by Elizabeth Scully, to win the Open Flat, and Suzanne Stettinius saddled Class Photo, ridden by O'Brien, to win the Apprentice Flat.

Imogen Weaver on Quick Draw McGraw won the Very Small Pony Flat race, and Sophie Cameron on Monkey won the Small Pony, while Pauly Aguilera on Rose won the Medium Pony, Will Stickler on Dakota won the Large Pony and Manuel Aguilera won the Lead Line Trot race.

Julie Nafe on her Noble Weed won the Side Saddle Flat race over Olivia Siter on Leading the Light (Ire) and Mary Musheno on Champagne & Confetti.

Colleen Loach won the four star short at TerraNova (2)

Details

March 30, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

MYAKKA CITY, Fla.--Canadian Olympic veteran Colleen Loach of Dunham, Quebec 0n FE Golden Eye. the only competitor to finish the event with a score in the 20s, won the CCI4*-S on March 29 at TerraNova.

Colleen Loach on FE Golden Eye (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)The Event at TerraNova started out with a closely ranked leaderboard, but the cross country course changed things on Sunday.

Loach added just two time faults to her score to finish on 27.5.

Mia Farley on Invictus placed second on 33.6, after moving up from eighth place after dressage.

Dan Kreitl, who had led the competition after dressage and stadium jumping, stuck to his plan of taking an easy canter around the cross country course as he prepares Carmango for the CCI4*-S at the Kentucky Three-Day Event next month.

With 16.4 time faults Kreitl finished on a final score of 41.4 to place third.

“GOLDIE is my favorite horse of all time, he’s the most easy horse to have around." said Loach. "This was his first four-star back after an injury; he just won the three-star at Bouckaert farm a couple of weeks ago and he won his event before that too. I wanted to make this four for four,  this was his fourth win and a row,  and we accomplished that, so that was pretty cool, but mainly I wanted to give him a confident, forward ride and we accomplished that as well.”

“He’s a very interesting mix of careful and brave," said Loach. "He can be quite spooky but is actually brave, he’s very sure of himself, a very confident horse and it’s up to me not to put him in a situation where he loses confidence. We have struggled in the past with making the time but I feel like now I can confidently ride him forward and he responds very well.”

“It’s really nice to win, but that can’t be what you base everything off of," she said. "If you have a plan, you don’t change it just because you have a chance at winning, and my plan was to practice going fast, so I did. I was lucky that some of the others weren’t practicing going fast, or maybe I wouldn’t have won, but that was what I needed to work on for me and that horse.”

Loach’s plan for Goldie is to do the CCI4*-S at Ocala to get a qualifying score and then the CCI4*-L at Tryon.

Invictus, whose barn name is Sammy, had colic surgery last September and this was his first competition back at this level.

“I wanted to go fast, but my priority wasn’t making the time with Sammy, I just rode as fast as I felt comfortable and when I put that pressure on him he gets better and better,” Farley said. “The course was a beautiful layout, Alec really opened up the course; in the past it was a lot more twisty.”

Sammy is also entered in Kentucky, in the 4*-S division.

“I would love to get a 4L done on him this spring, but we’re going to try to go competitive at Kentucky and then go from there,” she said.

Farley on Piña Colada 28 won the CCI3*-S on a final score of 29.6.

Loach placed second in CCI3*-S riding Chiaro Z Excalibur, finishing on 30.6 penalties, and Dani Sussman on Jos Bravio was third on 35.2.

“Piña was so good, I was so happy with her," said Farley. "I kind of pushed her from the second I left the start box and she went for it! It reminded me of how I get to ride my horse Phelps, kind of on a long rein, and she really hunts things, it’s awesome. The course was to the level – I had an intermediate horse I rode yesterday and some of the lines didn’t ride how I thought they would when I walked it, so that experience helped me go out on course with confidence today.”

“I’d love to do a four-star with her in the fall. She’s really special so I’m trying to take my time with her and secure all the details by 2027, so she’ll be great by 2028.”

“I’m at a loss for words because the event was fantastic all weekend, it was beautiful, and all the organizers are the friendliest people,  everyone was just happy," said Farley. "Today was totally cross-country weather, a little fresh and excited, and it wasn’t as hot the past few days. My working students Emerson and Chandler came with me and it was a fun girls’ weekend.”

Pet Photos Honorable Mention by Sandy Williamson (2)

Details

March 30, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

Sandy Williamson took this photo.

"We saw this dog in the truck and right away it brought the image of the Subaru dog family driving their car," said Williamson. "This was a dog tested truck!!"

Swore, trained by Keri Brion, won the $75.000 Carolina Cup (2)

Details

March 31, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

CAMDEN, S.C,--Swore, trained by Keri Brion, won the $75,000, 2 1/8 mile Carolina Cup Novice Hurdle Stakes over a field of seven at the Carolina Cup Races on Saturday,March 28.

Swore leads Chortal over the last in the Carolina Cup (Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Stone Farm and Upland Flats Racing and ridden by Stephen Mulqueen, Swore won by 6 3/4 lengths over Chortal (GB) and Coutach (GB). both trained by Ricky Hendriks.

Swore now has four wins and a second, including two stakes wins, from six starts over fences.

"Swore was trained by Graham Motion," said Brion. "He was a nice horse but just a click below stakes quality. I'd been watching him for a while.  Stone Farm bred him and still owned half of him. I said to Patrick Lewis that I thought he'd make a good steeplechase horse, and Patrick bought the other half."

"He's been in my barn since November of 2024," she said. "We taught him to jump and then turned him out for the winter. I'd noticed he sounded like he was making a noise, and in the spring it was worse, so he had a complete wind operation. That's why he didn't run until July, but that wind operation really helped him."

Later last year, Swore won the G1 Lonesome Glory Handicap and the G1 American Grand National Hurdle Stakes.

"HE'S A COOL horse," said Brion. "He's really classy. I always worry if I'm doing enough with him because he does everything so easily. I haven't had one like that since The Mean Queen."

"He's by Broken Vow and comes from a great turf family," Brion said. "He'll go next to the Grade 1 in Nashville. I think the distance will suit him. I think the farther he goes the better. I was worried the Carolina Cup might be a little too short for him. Then, God willing, he'll go to Saratoga."

Kate Dalton saddled St. Rita Racing's Pleasant Fantasy, ridden by Bernie Dalton, to win the $40,000 Maiden Hurdle by 5 3/4 lengths over Gray's Fable, trained by Brion, and Verbal, trained by Leslie Young.

Young then saddled King of Tsavo (GB), owned bu Sharon Sheppard and ridden by Evan Dwan,, to win the $35,000 Ratings Handicap115 by 2 1/4 lengths over Anoint, trained by Brion, and Outperform, trained by Neil Morris.

Todd McKenna saddled Keystone Thoroughbred's On the Couch, ridden by Jamie Bargary, to win the $35,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle by 3/4 length over Beyond Reproach, trained by Arch Kingsley, and Ten Bucks a Glass, trained by Dalton.

Kingsley had the first second and third placed horses n the Training Flat with Hurricana Farm's Merry Maker, ridden by Tom Foley, winning by 8 lengths over Sweet Will (Ire) and Shiv.

Pet Photos Honorable Mention by Jo Beth Peck (2)

Details

March 31, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

Jo Beth Peck of Chester Spring took these photos.

Left, "Hey Mom. I'm just sitting here taking a break," said Peck. "Harper our rescue Lab."

Right, "Ready to ride," said Peck. "Harper loves to go for a ride after my husband finishes mowing."

Racing to be held at Fair Hill over Memorial Day weekend (2)

Details

April 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

ELKTON, Md.--The Maryland Jockey Club will host racing at Fair Hill over Memorial Day weekend for the first time in six years.

Flat racing will be held on the turf track on Sunday, May 24 and steeplechasing will be held on Monday, Memorial Day, May 25.

Racing at Fair Hill began in 1934 with the Foxcatcher National Cup over fences.

Fair Hill held steeplechase races for almost 90 years on Memorial Day.

Due to track renovations and problems caused by the Maryland five star event, racing was suspended after the 2019 meeting. 

Fair hill held one day of racing last year on Saturday, Aug. 30.

"The National Steeplechase Association and its strong following of horsemen and fans are gratedul to the Maryland Jockey Club for hosting the event and excited about the return, after a long hiatus, of the historic Maryland steeplechasing tradition," said Bill Gallo, director of racing at NSA. " This will be the perfect finale, with a mixture of hurdle, timber and flat races, to close out our spring racing season on Memorial Day."

Parimutuel wagering will be available on site and nationwide through ADW wagering under the "Laurel at Fair Hill" name.

Ticketing information will be announced soon. 

Pet Photos Honorable Mention by Virginia Lippincott (2)

Details

April 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

Virginia Lippincott took this photo of the Cheshire foxhounds.

"This is the hounds before the hunt in Unionville," said Lippincott.

Mclain Ward out of World Cup (2)

Details

April 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--McLain Ward has withdrawn from the World Cup due to a minor injury.

Ward broke a small bone in his hand when Snapchat fell in a jump-off at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

He subsequently withdrew from riding on the U.S team at the Nations Cup in Ocalan, but he hoped at that time to be able to ride in the World Cup.

But on April 2 US Equestrian announced two new riders, one for USA Jumping and one for USA Dressage for the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals hosted in Ft. Worth, Texas, at Dickies Arena from April 8-12.

Lillie Keenan on Kick On will replace McLain Ward on Jordan Molga M, who have withdrawn, as Ward is recovering from a minor injury.

Ben Ebeling on Bellena will join USA Dressage's two other combinations, as they were allocated a starting place after another rider's withdrawal.

The FEI World Cup Final is held annually as an international individual final and will feature the disciplines of dressage and jumping across four days of competition.

Competition Information

THE FEI Dressage World Cup Final will take place on Thursday, April 9, and Saturday, April 11.

• Thursday, April 9 – FEI Grand Prix at 7:00 p.m. CST, which is 8:00 p.m. ET
• Saturday, April 11 – FEI Grand Prix Freestyle at 7:00 p.m. CST, which is 8:00 p.m. ET

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final will take place from Thursday, April 9, through Sunday, April 13.

• Wednesday, April 8 – Warm Up Class at 2:00 p.m. CST.which is 3:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, April 9 – Final I at 2:00 p.m. CST, which is 3:00 p.m. ET
• Friday, April 10 – Final II at 7:00 p.m. CST, which is 8:00 p.m. ET
• Sunday, April 12 – Final III at 12:00 p.m. CST.which is 1:00 p.m. ET

Watch the 2026 FEI World Cup Final live stream on FEI.TV.

US Equestrian competing members, subscribers, and fans receive a 10% discount on a ClipMyHorse.TV Premium Subscription, including FEI TV. Learn more here.

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén is Developing Grand Prix Horse Champion (2)

Details

April 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Swedish Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén on So Perfect won the championship of the Future Challenge Developing Grand Prix Horse after winning the Final with 71%.

Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven on So Perfect (Photo by Centre Line Media)Canada’s Lindsay Kellock Duckworth was reserve champion on Kensington with 70.184%, and Dawn White-O’Connor finished third with 68.974% on Leon.

Now in its seventh year at AGDF, the Future Challenge Developing Grand Prix Horse Final drew a record 51 entries across its five qualifiers in 2026.

The final, in which horses performed the FEI Young Horse Grand Prix test, took place in the main arena and offered a prize of $15,000.

“It was so great that I could ride in this, to participate in the series and also promote it,” said Vilhelmson Silfvén, who has only been riding the 9-year-old So Perfect since buying him from Helgstrand Dressage in June 2025. “Initially, we started the developing young horse classes in Sweden in 2011 because we saw how popular they were in Germany. Then we wanted to give something back to the place we live in the winter."

“A LOT OF very good horses came out this year," she said. "You can see that they’re young, they’re green, but they’re supposed to be. They’re getting to learn the atmosphere and the routine. I’m so pleased with So Perfect this season. He’s very green, and he’s never done these classes before. Being able to ride in the big ring, he gets more secure every week."

“I’m just enjoying the ride with him,” said Vilhelmson Silfvén. “I want to be careful with him. I want to do the right things to get him the right experiences. How he was tonight, especially in the prize-giving, saying, ‘Look at me!’, that feeling is wonderful.”

Reserve champion Kellock Duckworth gave birth to her second child just five months ago, but still felt that the 11-year-old Kensington was on top form in the final, even though she had a break from riding him.

“It was his second time in the stadium, and he brought his A-game for me,” she said. “He’s the best partner I could ask for. He’s kind of picking me up as we go along, so I’m super proud of him. It’s great to be able to go in there with a developing grand prix horse and not feel the pressure but still be able to check in with everything like the piaffe and the one-times and see where they’re at in this environment.”

“It’s a great class to get him in there with more atmosphere than just showing in the national rings," said White O'Connor."It’s a good bridge into the bigger classes.”

The series is open to horses from 8 to 11 years old.

The class encourages riders to bring their up-and-coming international quality horses out in an ornately dressed arena and championship-type atmosphere without the pressures of a CDI.

All qualifying rounds held throughout AGDF 2025 used the FEI Intermediate II test, so the final was a step up.

Pet Photos Honorable Mention by Joyce Farley (2)

Details

April 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

Joyce Farley of Dushore, Pa., took this photo.

Fire destroys MFH Jim Paxson's barn (2)

Details

April 3, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

KIRKWOOD, Pa.--James C (Jim) Paxson suffered a devastating fire that destroyed his barn and everything in it on Tuesday, March 31.

Paxson is Master of Foxhounds of River Hills Foxhounds, and his Funnel Lake Farm is the base for hunt horses and foxhounds.

Luckily, no horses or foxhounds were lost in the fire, and the fire didn't spread to the nearby kennels of his River Hills Foxhounds or to his house.

But Paxson lost all of the horses' and hound's feed, multiple balesof hay, blankets, sheets, tack, vehicles and the barn, which was burned to the ground.

Paxson has helped many people over the years, and now he needs help.

Some people have already given his blankets for his horses, as all were lost in the fire and weather turned chilly again.

But really big ticket items like a new barn and tractors will take huge donations.

A METHOD of donating to Paxson in a way that will be tax deductible is being investigated, and if a way is found, it will be published in The Horse.

"My heart is breaking," said Paxson. "I'm having trouble sleeping. I'm having trouble with the insurance company. Hopefully, the good Lord will take care of us.

"I ran out, just in my long johns, but the barn was already engulfed.

"I had just picked up 60 blankets, and they're all gone,"he said. "I had just taken the sheets off the horses because it was warm, and I had just dumped then on the ground in the barn. They're all gone. Then it got cold again, but some people brought sheets and blankets. Some were even new.

"I had 16 big bales of hay and a lot of small bales. They're all gone. All the feed is gone. I went out and got some feed, and some people brought feed. 

"I got 10 saddles and 15 bridles out, but five or six saddles are gone.  I got the car and the van out, but I couldn't move the bus or the big four wheel tractor. I tried to move it,  but when I put my hand  on the door it was so hot that I burned my hand."

Paxson and his whippers-in have served as outriders at many local steeplechase meets for 36 years, and, amazingly, Paxson says they will continue the tradition without missing a step.

"We'll be at Brandywine on Sunday, and then at Mount Harmon and Radnor and then at all the others," said Paxson. "I have to do something to keep myself sane."

Paxson's horses and the hunt horses live out in the spacious fields, but he will take the horses to a neighboring barn to wash them and clean them up for the hunt meets, as all his facilities are gone.

Pet Photos Honorable Mention by Jo Beth Peck (2)

Details

April 3, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

Jo  Beth Peck sent this photo of Mau Mau Kitty.