Lucky One and Vick Russell- winners of the 2011 $10,000 EMO Agency Jumper Classic. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) May 25 th , 2012- Aiken, SC- After a full week of competition and record attendance at the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show there is no down time for the staff at Aiken, SC based Equus Events.  The 2012 Tryon Summer Classic to benefit the Tryon Hounds is just under a week away and preparations are already underway for the event which takes place May 31-June 3 at beautiful FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center).   FENCE is an over 380 acre nature, education, and recreation facility nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  There are many activities in the area including numerous shops and antique stores as well as adventures whitewater rafting on the Green River.  This year’s show will again benefit the Tryon Hounds.  www.tryonhounds.com .  This event encompasses the days of old with a rich tradition but also attracts some of the top riders and trainers in the southeast.  Many will be competing for some of the numerous Grand Champion and perpetual trophies. Lucky One and Vick Russell- winners of the 2011 $10,000 EMO Agency Jumper Classic. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) Some of last year’s winners included; *Hoffman Van Wieren Trophy for Grand Champion Hunter- Goodman owned by Katherine Coster and ridden by Bruce Christison *Federick B Farwell Grand Champion Amateur Owner- Good Thing and Carol O’brien *The Fox Creek Farm Challenge Trophy Grand Junior Hunter- Funny Face owned by Charlotte Hoffman and ridden by Michael Kocher *The Red Frazier Memorial Grand Pony Hunter-Winter Wardrobe owned by Hannah Siegel and ridden by Elizabeth Butterworth *The George Webster High Point Short Stirrup- Savannah Smiles and Kendall Edwards *Grand Adult Hunter-Road to Time owned by Daniel Robertshaw and ridden by Grayson Schirmer *Grand Children’s Hunter-Bulls Bay owned by Ann Rice Ervin and ridden by Jessica Rooks Bruce Christison and Goodman- 2011 Grand Hunter Champions. (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) The Tryon Hounds will again host an exhibitor’s party Friday June 1 st that will take place under the VIP tent during the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Brick Church Farm and Reflections Farm.   The tentative start time for the derby is 6:30 and it is always a crowd favorite as some of the area’s top hunters take center stage in the main arena.  Joseph Carnicom of Toledo, Ohio will again be handling the course designing duties for the class which will consist of many natural obstacles including brush boxes, gates, coups, stone walls, and natural logs. Tryon Hounds (Photo by Mark Lenher and Hoofclix photography) Saturday evening, June 2 nd will feature the $10,000 EMO Insurance Agency Jumper Classic and Tryon Hounds Benefit dinner which will be catered by the Hare and the Hound of Landrum, SC.  The Tryon Hounds and Equus Events would like to thank Martha Hall and the EMO Agency for their continued support of this event.  The evening’s festivities will also include the annual Parade of Tryon Hounds prior to the start of the class.   The tent will open at 6PM and dinner will be served at approximately 7 PM with action in the ring starting at approximately 6:30.

East Dorset, Vermont — Hunter competitors will enjoy time in the spotlight with the introduction of the $15,000 Hunter Derby, presented by Oughton Limited, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont.

Lexington, KY – May 22, 2012 - ay 22, 2012 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows proved to be hugely successful for young rider Abigail McArdle of Barrington Hills, IL, who dominated the High Junior Jumper division with her eight-year-old mare Cosma 20. The unstoppable duo captured the division’s championship award during the competition’s two consecutive weeks, and also won each of the $10,000 High Junior Jumper Classics. Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the High Junior Jumper Championship during both weeks of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. (Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG) McArdle was thrilled with her new mount’s performance and commented, “It’s one thing to win a Junior Jumper class, but I think it takes it to a whole new level to be that consistent at that level on a new horse. I am really lucky, Cosma 20 is so talented and went clear in every first round that we jumped. She’s only eight, and I have really big hopes for her in the future.” During the first week of the horse show, McArdle and Cosma 20 placed third during the first High Junior Jumper class with a four-fault effort in the jump-off

May 21 st ~2012, Conyers, GA- Yesterday marked the conclusion of the 9 th annual Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show.   The event took place at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA and saw a record number of participants this year.  “We are beyond thrilled with the turnout”, said show organizer JP Godard.  Godard, based out of his hometown of Aiken, SC, and his Equus Events have produced the show for the past nine years.  “I have to thank all of our exhibitors, staff, and sponsors for their continued support of Equus Events and the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show”, it is a team effort and without that support it is tough to grow in this economy”.  “We have managed to build this event up the past 9 years and I am really looking forward to going all out for our 10 th anniversary next year!” Aaron Vale and Admiral Clover (Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography) The much anticipated $25,000 Atlanta Spring Challenge Grand Prix took place Saturday evening under the lights in the International Arena with 38 horse rider teams competing and a huge crowd set to cheer them on.  Olympic silver medalist Michel Vaillancourt designed a course that was challenging giving many riders some tricky spots to contest with.  The final jump, the Fenwick oxer #13 proved to be one of the more problematic spots as 9 riders had that final rail down in the first round.  After the initial round, 11 horses and riders graduated to the jump off including 2 entries for Ocala, FL based riders Aaron Vale and Sharn Wordley.  With only 4 clean, Aaron Vale and Carmen Rojas Admiral Clover soared to the win with a time of 40.648 just edging out Vale’s second jump off qualifier Tibor owned by Bonnie Smith.  Megan Edrick also hailing from Ocala, FL took home the third place ribbon with the Procedures, Inc. owned entry of Cadence while Sharn Wordley and his Cederick rounded out the top 4 spots. During the class, exhibitors and spectators gathered ringside of the International ring to enjoy the show’s annual Preakness Party and Exhibitors Dinner which was graciously sponsored by Daniel and Cathy Geitner and their DFG Stables.  The annual event also included a viewing of the 137 th Preakness Stakes on a big screen TV which was provided by the Kasper Family and Dr. Juan and Jennifer Gamboa.  The screams and cheers could be heard throughout the show grounds as I’ll Have Another kept his Triple Crown hopes in an unbelievable finish.  A clothing sale and raffle fundraiser for beloved horse show braider Linda Tinkler was also a part of Saturday evening’s events.  At the time of this press release over $4,500 had been raised to support Linda and her fight with breast cancer.  If you are interested in making a donation to this wonderful cause please contact Equus Events at 803-643-5698 or Megan@equusevents.com Sunday, the final showing day brought blue skies and many exciting finishes in the hunter and jumper rings.   In the jumper ring, Hayley Waters and her Tommy Bahama took home the blue in the $7,500 High Jr/Ao Jumper Classic over Meg Omara and Walstib Stable’s Aragon Rouet who finished second.  Jared Peterson and Liviticus finished up in third.  Nelson Long and ML Hartwick capped off an exciting week by winning the NAL/WIHS Adult Jumper Classic over Dr.