The sixteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder In an attempt to acknowledge the current diversity within the discipline, show organizers have started offering exhibitors the opportunity to ride ANY test they want to ride, from any organization that has published tests. A buffet of western dressage is now available with something for everyone. The show organizers want to meet the needs of the competitors and in so doing really have taken the first step toward acceptance and...

Duncan McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy (Flying Home) Rancho Murieta, CA - The fifth anniversary of the Sacramento International Horse Show culminated last night with the $55,000 Land Rover Grand Prix of Sacramento. New Zealand transplant Duncan McFarlane and his stallion Mr. Whoopy thrilled a sold out Murieta Equestrian Center with a fast double clear for the win. Following the Grand Prix, Rich Fellers' Flexible was named "Best Horse" for the second consecutive year. Twenty-six horse and rider...

Pringle and Lily Blavin and Daisy Farish with Northwind Marin in their Grand Children's Hunter presentation. (Parker/Russell - The Book LLC) Upper Marlboro, MD - The Grand Children's Hunter Championship, sponsored by Mary Jane King, was another tie between the Children's Hunter Pony winner from yesterday, Northwind Marin and Daisy Farish, and today's Children's Hunter 14 & Under Section B champions, Pringle and Lily Blavin. They were presented with the Laura Pickett Memorial...

Victoria Colvin and Ovation. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Upper Marlboro, MD – The Capital Challenge Horse Show wrapped up another year of fantastic competition today and finished with younger junior and children's hunters. Victoria Colvin rode two horses owned by Dr. Betsee Parker – Way Cool and Ovation – to the Grand Junior Hunter Championship sponsored by Lochmoor Stables/Mindy and Greg Darst, while the Grand Children's Hunter Championship was also a tie between...

Lexington, KY- The Kentucky Classic CDE came to an exciting conclusion Sunday with the final cones phase. Additional accolades were on the line as competitors in the Pair and Ponies divisions vied for National Titles. The leaders following the marathon refused to yield, driving accurate final phases to clinch coveted USEF National Championships . USEF National Pairs Championship Jimmy Fairclough entered the cones phase with an 11 point lead over second placed competitor Misdee Wrigley-Miller....

Woodside, CA - James Alliston survived a bittersweet day at the Woodside International Horse Trials, presented by Equine Insurance of California and Professional’s Choice. It was a day of both exciting victory and disconcerting defeat for him. Alliston, of Castro Valley, Calif., did win the CIC3*, but with Tivoli (52.6), not with Jumbo’s Jake, the horse who’d been leading after the first day’s dressage and show jumping. And he also won the CIC2* on Mojo. Jolie Wentworth...

Upper Marlboro, MD - The Grand Pony Hunter Championship, sponsored by Lochmoor Stables/Mindy and Greg Darst, went to Hillcrest Blue Halo, owned by Bill Schaub and ridden by 11-year-old Daisy Farish of Versailles, KY. They won three out of four classes in the small pony hunter division and placed second in the remaining class. Daisy Farish and Hillcrest Blue Halo. (Shawn McMillen Photography) They were awarded with the VanderMoore Designs Trophy, donated by VanderMoore Designs. Farish was named...

Monsieur du Reverdy and Victoria Colvin. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Upper Marlboro, MD – The $10,000 North American Junior/Amateur-Owner Challenge Cup Final Round highlighted the evening session Saturday at the Capital Challenge Horse Show. Fourteen-year-old Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, sped to the win in the jump-off on Monsieur du Reverdy and captured first place, despite finishing the course with no stirrups. That also gave her the overall win for the North American...

Lexington, KY - Saturday as expected was an action packed day at the Kentucky Classic CDE with all competitors contending with Richard Nicoll’s formidable marathon course. Four divisions were also being run as USEF National Championships, with the 18 entries vying for National Titles driving an eight obstacle second phase at the Kentucky Horse Park. USEF National Combined Driving Ponies Championship In the USEF National Combined Driving Ponies Championship, the top drivers in each...

Annie Finch and W.C. Swing. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Upper Marlboro, MD - Annie Finch of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and W.C. Swing, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Guidam, led the victory gallop for the second time this week in the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals. Just five days ago, Finch won the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Finals. Finch beat 28 other riders in the competitive class by scoring 87.45 in the first round and an 85.4 in the second round for a total of 172.85. Elysse...