Harrisburg, PA – Megan Young, 18, of Jacksonville, FL, defeated a field full of the nation’s top junior riders to win the 2004 USEF/Pessoa National Hunter Seat Medal Final, on Sunday, October 17th, at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. Judges Sue Ashe of Wellington, FL, and Mary Chapot of Neshanic Station, NJ, scored the three rounds of competition based on equitation and a rider’s ability to ride with control, competency and compatibility. The USEF/Pessoa National Hunter...

David Blake and Baron (Mancini Photos) Mill Spring, N.C. - David Blake continued his dominance at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) this past week, picking up another grand prix win aboard Baron in the $25,000 Odom Engineering, PLLC Grand Prix on Saturday, May 21. Blake, of Wellington, FL, piloted Baron to a quick jump-off round, finishing in 33.855 seconds to nudge Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, NC, and Basje to second place, as they crossed the timers in 34.69 seconds. Manuel...

Wilhelm Genn and Welcome COR won the $50,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City, sponsored by Meijer, on the final day of the opening week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. (Phelps Media Group) Traverse City, MI - July 6, 2015 - For Wilhelm Genn the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival at Flintfields Horse Park holds nostalgic memories. One in particular flashed across his face Sunday afternoon as he won the $50,000 Grand Prix of Traverse City, presented by Meijer. It was a decade ago that Genn rode...

How can you practice anything on your horse when there’s six inches of snow on the ground, it’s below freezing, the wind is blowing, and you’re not blessed with an indoor arena? Here in Colorado, we often have beautiful, sunny days where we can exercise our horses outdoors for hours. On other days, not so much. As a friend of mine said, "it’s not how you ride your horse; it’s how you live your life." He was referring to work you can do off your horse, such as...

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....

What is the equestrian demographic in North America? Surveys reveal it consists of women who, after a career, raising children, or both, have either returned to riding or are pursuing it as a life long dream. I fall into this demographic, having returned after both a career and children, and once again after major surgery. But where do we go to find training, a supportive community and a purpose in this endeavor? After much exploration, I was lucky enough to find Western Dressage through the...

This is a truly thrilling time to be a part of Western Dressage and the Western Dressage Association® of America! I recently had the opportunity to chat with Cliff Swanson, who has been instrumental in many facets of the program, including authoring and editing the new tests, working with the Rules Committee, developing the Train The Trainers™ Program and conducting a wonderful series of Skill Set Clinics. Cliff also sits on the Advisory Board for the WDAA. According to Cliff,...

Kent Farrington and Gazelle (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB, Canada – The coveted $500,000 ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup was featured on Saturday afternoon during the ‘North American’ Tournament CSI5*, presented by Rolex, at Spruce Meadows. Jumping clear through three rounds of competition, USA’s Kent Farrington and Gazelle emerged victorious over Elizabeth Gingras (CAN) and Zilversprings in second, and Eric Lamaze (CAN) aboard Check Picobello Z third. Earlier...

Kent Farrington and Gazelle (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB, Canada – USA’s Kent Farrington and Gazelle were the big winners in Saturday’s $375,000 Pan American Cup, presented by Rolex, in a fast and competitive seven-horse jump-off at Spruce Meadows. Conor Swail (IRL) and Grafton finished second, and Andrew Ramsay (USA) and California 62 placed third. The CIBC Cup was also featured on Saturday with a historic first international victory at Spruce Meadows for the...

McLain Ward and Tina La Boheme (The Book, LLC) Devon, Pa. - On Friday, McLain Ward of Brewster, New York, was named the Longines World Number One in show jumping. He has spent the last week competing at the historic Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, and on Saturday night he captured his third victory, winning the $50,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake aboard Tina La Boheme. Six entries advanced to the jump-off in the highlight event of the evening sponsored by Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine...