The ninth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Western Dressage is a new and growing discipline in the horse world. People are talking about it everywhere. At North American Western Dressage we answer questions every day about what it is, how you do it, what you wear, what your horse wears, bits, reins, helmets, levels of tests and competition, movements and how you do them and a myriad of other things. Answering these questions could be a full time job for any one of our...

Taylor Johnson and Legato Zionsville, IN - Taylor Johnson of Carmel, IN, dodged raindrops and caught some rays Friday while scoring big wins during day four of the Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show. Johnson, 14, racked up the ribbons in the Junior Hunter Classic, Junior Hunter Stake, the Child Hunter Classic (NAL and WIHS), and the Junior Hunter 15 and Under Stake. When asked if she thought she was having a good show, she just shrugged her shoulders and answered, "I guess." Johnson won the...

Christian Heineking and NKH Selena dashed to the top of the leaderboard in the 1.40m Open Jumper speed class at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The first day of the Kentucky Summer Classic was filled with exciting jumper action in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. This afternoon, competitors had the opportunity to showcase their speed in the 1.40m Open Jumpers and show off their talents navigating the 1.35 Open Jumpers. Christian Heineking led the...

Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere (Shannon Brinkman) Greenwich, UK - The first day of Eventing Dressage at the 2012 Olympic Games featured three of the five American horses. Boyd Martin was the very first rider in the ring on Otis Barbotiere and made the most of his first Olympic experience, having the best test of the horse's career so far. The venue is stunning and although the arena proved full of atmosphere, the three U.S. combinations handled the occasion admirably. Judged by the Ground...

Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere at the first horse inspection (Shannon Brinkman) Greenwich, UK - The first of the three Olympic Equestrian Disciplines is set to begin on Saturday, July 28 after 74 horses were presented for the first horse inspection. The team from the United States drew second (behind Ecuador's individual) and were first to present their horses before the Ground Jury of President Anne Mette Binder, Nick Burton, and Gillian Rolton. The stunning Greenwich arena hosted horses...

Overall Grand Champion Small Affair and Overall Reserve Grand Champion Illusion, both ridden by Olivia Esse, at the 2012 US Junior Hunter Championship West (Captured Moment Photography) Lexington, KY - For the eleventh consecutive year champions were crowned at the US Junior Hunter Championship, utilizing a three round format. On July 23-24, competitors contested the West Coast portion of the championship at the Del Mar Horsepark in Del Mar, CA. With competition for the East Coast held in...

Christopher Payne and Dominus swept the Performance 3'3" Hunters on the second day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. (Ashley N. Williams) Lexington, KY - The quiet morning greeted professional riders at the Stonelea Arena for the second day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, where spectators gathered to watch as top hunter riders competed for the championship prizes. Prince navigated Ace of Spades to the Performance 3'6" Hunter Championship with three blues. Christopher Payne led the way...

Katie Tyler and Galliard won the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search during the opening week of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT - The future stars of show jumping are out in full force at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival horse show running July 4 through August 12 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT. The six-week festival is hosting a Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search competition each Friday. Open to riders under the age of 21...

Kerra Goldstein and Krystall won the Hunter Championship at the Brass Ring Horse Show. (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Devon, PA - Blue skies welcomed the Pennsylvania natives as they took center stage at the Brass Ring Horse Show, a local competition included with the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services. Riders from the surrounding area gathered for a chance to compete at the prestigious Devon Horse Show Grounds. The equitation competitors were the first to be...

Bob Cooper, President Cement, Western Canada Lafarge presenting the winner’s trophy to Beezie Madden (USA) aboard Mademoiselle. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB - Families from all walks of life came out to Spruce Meadows on Friday to enjoy Presidents Choice Hot Dogs, Pepsi, and International-level sport on day three of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ Tournament. Although the Olympics aren’t on his mind, Kent Farrington (USA) continues to be a dominate...