Wellington, FL - Fifteen horse and rider combinations went to task Friday afternoon in the WDM Nürnberger Grand Prix, the first leg of the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by Wellington Classic Dressage. Earning the top spot on day one was Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic HBC at the only North American stop in the World Dressage Masters Series presented by the Axel Johnson Group. The Swedish pair was awarded a score of 77.681% by the Ground Jury of Stephen Clarke, Isabel...

The Western Dressage world is abuzz with dressage talk. The hot topic of the moment seems to be progressive training, especially as it has to do with pyramids and scales. Pyramids are extremely stable structures that rely on strong, broad foundations and which rise to a point, a pinnacle if you will that represents a point of focus. Without the foundation, the pyramid loses strength. The intrinsic nature of the structure itself necessitates culmination in a point. The pyramid is the perfect...

Adrienne Lyle (Mary Cornelius) The Board of Directors of The Dressage Foundation announced that, for the first time, two recipients have been chosen to receive a $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize in the same year. Adrienne Lyle (ID) and her horse, Wizard, along with Sharon McCusker (MA) and her horse, Wrigley, were selected because they display the characteristics and qualities of being talented, committed, qualified riders whose plans are to reach and excel at the elite,...

Lisa Wilcox and Pikko Del Cerro HU (Susan J. Stickle) Wellington, FL - Lisa Wilcox and Pikko Del Cerro HU scored double wins at the Wellington Classic Dressage Sunshine Challenge CDI3* with victories Friday in the Grand Prix Special and Thursday in the Grand Prix. Pikko Del Cerro HU, a 16.2 dark bay Hanoverian stallion owned by Horses Unlimited and Anne Sparks, scored 68.854% in Friday's FEI Grand Prix Special CDI3* USEF HP $1,000 sponsored by Palm Beach Equine and Sports Complex. The pair...

What is the next frontier in the equestrian world? According to Dr. Jim Warson, Equestrian Medicine Specialist and author of The Rider’s Pain Free Back , “its rider health and development. The horses are as good as they are going to be in our lifetimes, so this is where the action is. Rider health and conditioning make us worthy of the horses that we spend so much time and money on”. Dr. Jim Warson with his beautiful horse, Gallahad Golden Warrior, “Trigger” Dr....

Janne Rumbough and Junior (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, FL - The 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) began this week with the National Opener Show on January 22-23. Dressage riders from all levels turned out to compete and get experience in the main Global Arena. The judge for the show was Margaret Freeman. The AGDF continues next week with the Wellington Dressage CDI-W presented by The Dutta Corp. on January 31 - February 3, which kicks off the international dressage season at the...

Katie Monahan-Prudent and V. (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Renowned show jumper Katie Monahan-Prudent guided Michael Smith's V to victory in Thursday's $33,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 3 during the third week of competition at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Competing in the International Arena at the beautiful Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), the seasoned veteran topped young U.S. competitors Kristen Vanderveen (23) aboard...

Havens Schatt and Sons Souci. (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Sons Souci and Havens Schatt earned championship honors in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals First Year Green Hunter division during week three of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). This will be the third week one of Schatt's mounts has collected championship titles. Caroline Moran's Bacardi, ridden and trained by Schatt, has been division champion weeks one and two at the FTI WEF. Schatt...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation is pleased to announce the following dates and locations of the 2013 U.S. Hunter National Championships: US Junior Hunter National Championship - West Coast : July 22-23, 2013; Showpark Facility, Del Mar, CA US Junior Hunter National Championship - East Coas t: July 29-31, 2013; HITS On The Hudson, Saugerties, NY US Pony Finals: August 6-11, 2013; Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY Sallie B. Wheeler/US Hunter Breeding National Championship...

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation Board of Directors, at its recent Annual Meeting, considered three applications for USEF Heritage Competition status. The Roanoke Valley Horse Show, the Norfolk Hunt Horse Show and the Dressage at Devon Horse Show were granted the highest honor currently held by Federation horse shows. The designation of a USEF Heritage Competition is reserved for competitions that have been in existence for a quarter-century or more, promoted and...