The first in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder My first pony ride was in 1967. I was 18 months old. It must have stuck with me because I rode horses forever after that. I have been a professional in the equestrian industry since 1989 and my parents have supported my horseback riding activities all my life. Recently, seeking that formerly ever present support, I shared with my mom my desire to get involved in Western Dressage. Imagine my surprise when she exclaimed “Western...

Heather Blitz and Paragon one of 15 to compete in the Grand Prix (Susan J. Stickle) Gladstone, NJ - Over the next two weeks a total of six USEF National Dressage Champions will be crowned, along with the U.S. Dressage Team taking a step closer to the London Olympic Games. The first week of the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions got underway Friday with the Veterinary Inspections and all 47 horses were deemed fit and sound to compete. Competitors in the Grand Prix, Young Rider, Junior...

Abigail McArdle riding Cosma 20 received the first bonus from Jennifer Ward in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion at the 2012 Kentucky Horse Shows in Lexington, Kentucky (Shawn McMillen Photography) Lexington, KY – Abigail McArdle of Barrington, IL, was the first recipient of bonus money in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion taking place this season at the Kentucky Horse Shows in Lexington, Kentucky. Offering a total of $30,000 in...

Lexington, KY - Today marked the conclusion of the professional hunter divisions for the second day of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Riders gathered at the Stonelea to vie for the championship awards in the competitive divisions. Tammy Provost and Chris Payne proved successful in the Green Conformation Hunters and Second Year Green Working Hunters, respectively. Jennifer Alfano rode to the top of the leaderboard with Lions Paw in the Regular Conformation Hunter division, as well as showing...

a guest blog post fom Mary Cox The following three ideas may take being somewhat adventuresome but trust me, the result will make it all worth it ! First, research a local stone fabricator in your area. A fabricator makes the template and cuts the stone for granite, marble or stone countertops. Once you’ve located one, pay them a visit and remember to put on your best “I’m a Tack Hoarder – help me” face. Then ask them very sweetly if you can do some “Dumpster...

Claudia Billups and Quick N Easy earn the victory during the $10,000 American Invitational Stake Welcome Presented By CWD at the Tournament of Champions. Billups earned both top spots with her mounts as the only rider to successfully master the first round course. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Tampa, FL - It was a muddy morning as the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center welcomed numerous horses to the third day of the Tournament of Champions. Luckily, the jumpers were able to dodge the effects of the inclement...

Tampa, FL - The Bob Thomas Equestrian Center was filled with riders as the fourth day of competition commenced. After last night's Tampa Bay Welcome Stake CSI 2*, it became apparent that the jumper divisions were feeling a competitive edge as the Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner classes got underway in the Covered Arena. Blue ribbons were awarded to Ashley Prusak and Rabin for their amazingly accurate and speedy double-clear effort during the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, and to Alexa...

Temecula, CA - With two phases of competition complete, Great Britain’s James Alliston has a tight hold on the top placings in the CIC3*. He took a decisive lead in the dressage aboard India McEvoy’s Jumbo’s Jake, and then he added no penalties in the show jumping to lead the division with 45.6 penalties. He’s also standing third with his younger horse (and last fall’s second-placed CCI2* horse), Tivoli (53.7). Holding down second is Jolie Wentworth of Martinez,...

Wellington, FL - Two rounds of jumping for the USEF National Show Jumping Championships took place on Thursday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center - and for the 30 horses returning for the penultimate round, there was also selection for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games on the line. Alan Wade’s course was a serious one this evening, and it was compared to some of the biggest championship tracks in the world. Clear rounds were hard to come by in both...

West Palm Beach, FL - The 2012 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI4* presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach ended as it began with American dressage superstar Steffen Peters and Ravel storming to their second consecutive sweep of the event. Their dramatic freestyle was very difficult and they were rewarded by the judges with a score of 83.70% and recognized with a standing ovation from the crowd. It was a narrow victory, Great Britain's Charlotte Dujardin gave Peters and Ravel a...