The seventeenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Last weekend we attended the second Western Dressage classes held here in the Inland Northwest. We rode the NAWD tests through Level 4. The tests are wonderful and the dressage spectators were very interested in how the WD tests are both similar and different from the USEF tests ridden in the USDF shows. The judge was super and even though the day was very long for her, very positive about the work saying "I enjoyed judging...

The twelveth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Every day I field calls from people wanting to know more about Western Dressage. What is it? How do I find out more about it? Can anyone do it? Is it hard? Who teaches Western Dressage? Are there shows? Last weekend a few of our riders were invited to do a Western Dressage demonstration at the local dressage show. What struck me was the feeling of being out of place amongst my dressage friends because we were wearing our western...

The fifth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Last week I poked a little fun at what western dressage riders are wearing for both schooling and show. This week I want to bring you the reality of the situation from manufacturers who give us the products that will ultimately be seen in rings around the country. Last week I showed you the proposed North American Western Dressage rules for WD show attire. Since the requirements state that riders must wear a long-sleeved shirt with...

The fourth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Every day I head out to the barn to work. Like other trainers, I work outside in temperatures from 0 to 100 7 days a week, almost 365 days a year, from dawn till dark and sometimes longer. As a professional trainer and riding instructor I am called on to muck stalls, fix fence, buck hay, dump grain, rake footing, fill water buckets, sweep the aisle, clean tack, change bandages, medicate, lead beginners, longe riders, heft children...

Photo by Howard Schatzberg The Junior League of Lexington is pleased to announce that Lenard Davenport of Springfield, MO, will serve as manager of the 74th Lexington Junior League Horse Show to be held at the Red Mile on July 5-10, 2010. Judges for the show are: Melissa A. Moore, Versailles, KY; Melinda Moore, Lawrenceburg, KY; Nelson Green, Nicholasville, KY; Dale Arnston, Mokena, IL and Mary Lynn Whitley, Cary, NC, USEF Steward. We are also pleased to announce the inclusion of three Western...

Six-year-old Bijoux, owned by Janet Rolfs and ridden by Missy Fladland, is off to a phenomenal start to her young dressage career. Among her many honors, her most recent victory includes taking the reserve champion title at the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Central Selection Trials. The young Hanoverian mare (Bugatti Hilltop x Whimiscal L), bred by Margaret Drury, started her performance career only a year and a half ago as a coming five-year-old in the fall of 2007. After seven months of...

Pleasure, Park, and Western Country Pleasure Invitational qualifying points standings are now posted on the American Saddlebred Horse Association’s (ASHA) website at www.asha.net/WCHS-Results . The standings will update on a next-day basis whenever competition results are entered into ASHA's database. It should be noted that the first qualifying requirement prior to review of point totals accumulated is that any horse entered in show pleasure, country pleasure, or park at the Kentucky State...

The Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show has announced the changes to its Qualifying Requirements for 2009. The significant changes pertaining to show pleasure, country pleasure, and park are as follows: 1. A trainer or any member of his family may not show a customer’s show pleasure or country pleasure horse in order to qualify it for the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show. 2. All ribbon winners in classes of six or more entries will receive the following points...

DENVER – For the first time in history, world-class reining comes to Denver. More than 30,000 spectators and 500 horses from four continents will take part in the International Equestrian Federation World Masters of Reining Championships and the Western International Reining Festival. The Western International runs Oct. 17-22 at the National Western Complex. A renowned international competition, the Western International Reining Festival offers more than $250,000 in prize money during the...

Excitement reaches a new high as the reining elite from all around the world make their way to Denver, CO. Organizers expect that up to 30,000 spectators and 500 horses from four continents will take part in the Western International Reining Festival, proud home of the 2006 FEI World Reining Masters Finals and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Mountain Region Affiliate Finals Championships. The Western International runs October 17-22 at the National Western Complex. The Western...