Saumur, France - Competition officially kicked off Thursday at the Saumur CCI3* with 17 combinations performing their dressage tests. U.S. entries and Land Rover Competition Grant recipients Hannah Sue Burnett and Marilyn Little rose to the occasion as they propelled themselves into the top five following the first day of competition. Burnett (The Plains, VA) and Jacqueline Mars’ Harbour Pilot were the penultimate combination of the day but proved worth the wait as they scored 48.60 to...

An Equestrian Weekly guest blog post from Liam Killen of the Equestrian Creative Network Creative thinking has long been prized and praised, but the need for creative thought and execution has never been more valuable or vital for brands. And this need is no less urgent in the equestrian sector. For our highly specialized brands, it's not good enough to resort to the same old clichés in whichever field of creative work we're commissioning. We need new thinking for our writing,...

Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...

Lexington, KY - The future of U.S. dressage will be on full display this weekend as the Dressage at Flintridge CDI1*Y/J hosts the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trial. Many of the top five and six-year-old horses in the nation will be vying for a spot to represent the U.S. at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses in Verden, Germany in August as well as a spot on the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Short List. Combinations will need to score 8.2...

Shelburne, VT - A fund has been established by the American Morgan Horse Association to assist with the relief and recovery efforts related to the tornados. These funds will be directed to specific local Moore, Oklahoma, organizations in need of funds or the American Red Cross. "Oklahoma holds a special place in our hearts as the host of the annual Grand National & World Champion Morgan Horse Show® each October," said AMHA Executive Director, Julie Broadway. "We would like to show them...

Lexington, KY - The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team looks to close out the spring season on a high note as four talented combinations are set to contest the Saumur CCI3*. Now in its 27th year, the prestigious French competition runs May 23-26. A total of 46 combinations will start in the CCI3*, including American entries Hannah Sue Burnett, Buck Davidson, Will Faudree and Marilyn Little, who have all received Land Rover Competition Grants to contest the Saumur CCI3*. Hannah Sue Burnett and...

Middleburg, VA - Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) announces the return of the Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge. This unique challenge offers a $200,000 top prize for any show jumping rider that can put together back-to-back-to-back wins at three of the nation's most prestigious grand prix events. The first event in the Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge, the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon, takes place in Devon, Pa., on Thursday, May 30th. The second leg is held on...

Rancho Murieta, CA - Entries are open through May 30, 2013 for Para-Equestrian Dressage riders interested in heading to California for the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3*. The Golden State Dressage Classic will take place June 13-16, 2013 at the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, California. All para-dressage riders looking to qualify for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are encouraged to attend this CPEDI3*. For more information about the Golden State Dressage...

Conyers, GA - From a field of 21 horses in the $30,000 Atlanta Spring Challenge Grand Prix, Megan Wexler rode Procedure's Inc's Cadence to the top. The Reddick, Florida native took home the lion's share of the prize money with Wilhelm Genn and Happy Z taking second and Frances Land taking third on her own Merlin. In International Hunter Derby action at the Atlanta Spring challenge the top prize went to Elizabeth Boyd & Brunello with Harlod Chopping and Caramo finishing second.

It's official. NAWD has applied for recognized affiliate status with the USEF. Supporters have until June 11th to let the USEF know that North American Western Dressage is the right choice of organizations to build the future of Western Dressage. NAWD President Jen Johnson states: “Western Dressage is coming. Over the past 3 years we have watched it grow at warp speed from the hint of an idea to not just one but three major organizations with very different ideals. Throughout, NAWD...