It was another exciting day of competition at the 2009 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), as the schedule featured four jumper classes for amateur-owner, junior, and open jumpers on Thursday. The highlight class of the day was the $30,000 Open Jumper Time First Jump-off class, and Olympic Gold medalist McLain Ward of the United States took the top prize on Couletto K James. Andres Rodriguez of Venezuala and Da Vinci were victorious in the $20,000 Open Jumper Gambler's Choice Costume...

It’s not often that World and National Champion competitors from disciplines as diverse as cutting, dressage, reining, jumping, barrel racing, and driving as well as renowned trainers from other walks of horselife gather in one location to share their secrets. Even less often comes the chance to soak up all that learning for about what you’d spend on a movie ticket and a bucket of popcorn. Just $16 gets you an all-access daily ticket to the 2010 edition of our country’s most successful and most...

Rising star Daniel Bluman added another impressive line to his resume when he bested a star-studded field aboard Fatalis Fatum to secure the top prize in the $100,000 United States Grand Prix League (USGPL) Invitational Grand Prix at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, VA. Bluman and his impressive mount have now won three grand prix events in a row, including a victory in the $100,000 class at The Hampton Classic. "I am very proud of my horse," said Bluman. "He is proud to do his job. When I...

These last three days have been sooo busy! We get up at 6am and back to the hotel at around 1am! So let me give you an overview on what has been happening. August 25, 2009 Today our 14 year old rider Theresa rode and boy did she ride the hair off of her horse! She was a sight minus a few pilot errors that every rider makes once in a while. She unfortunately did not place in her class but North Wind Stables were very proud of her. August 26,2009 This day would be a day I will always remember. I...

I am giving you the view of the World's Championship Horse Show from the perspective of awards presentations which is a bit different from what most see at the Kentucky State Fair. I might tell you about presenters who come late for the presentations or those who do not show at all... Or about presenters who are challenged by footware or costume choices because being fleet of foot for presentations is very important. Before the horn calls the horses to the ring for the first class we have...

August 22, 2009 Saturday was such an eventful day! We allowed the horse's to rest in the stalls on Friday to become accustomed to the climate and to calm their nerves down from the 12 hour drive. So after their relaxing day of rest, we got to work them. All 9 horses were perfect and we worked them to the best of their abilities. The funny part about Saturday though came after we worked the horses. Customers of ours and my family went to a café on the show grounds to enjoy lunch. And...

Louisville! Is it that time already??? I still can't believe it's already the last 2 weeks of August! We prepare this whole year just to go to the "Big Dance" and make lasting memories. But what a lot of people don't realize is how much work we go through as trainer's children to go to Louisville. Well I'll tell you my 2 days so far at the World Championship Horse Show and hopefully you can see a different side to "My Life." August 20, 2009 • Today was the day we would...

The ever popular Reining By The Bay celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year. In line with the celebration, show producers RBB, Inc., have announced that the Peninsula Humane Society has been deemed the official charity of the organization. The news is just in time for the 2009 Reining By The Bay event, which takes place July 21-26 at The Horse Park in Woodside, CA. "We are very excited to be working with the Peninsula Humane Society at the Reining By The Bay,” said Mandi Brumley of RBB,...

Elkton, MD – The weather blew through the Mid-Atlantic region on Friday night and cross country/ marathon day at the USEF National Championships at the Dansko Fair Hill International boasted perfect conditions and terrain. Phillip Dutton, the overnight leader in the CCI*** Championships had to wait until the very end of the day to maintain his lead with Ann Jones’ The Foreman and put on a cross country clinic with the 11-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. The Foreman, who won the event...

Lifelong horseman R. Don Hulse, of Center, MO, died Tuesday morning, May 8, 2007, at age 92. During his life, he built a reputation as one of the top trainers and breeders of American Saddlebreds, stamping his name on the industry with one of the most prolific stallions in the breed’s history, Champagne Fizz. Hulse learned a lot about horses from his father, Dyas B. Hulse. Dyas operated a dry goods store in Center. When customers were unable to pay their bill, he would often accept horses in...