The seventh in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Before we learn to read we must learn the ABC’s. William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle (1593-1676) suggested an analogy between the education of a child and horse trainers who made unrealistic demands on young horses. Centuries ago he asked, ‘I would fain ask such stupid people, whether, by beating a boy, they could teach him to read, without first showing him his alphabet?’1 Systematic progressive training is not...

Morocco and Lisa Goldman. Traverse City, MI - Opening Day of the 2012 London Olympic Games was celebrated in Red, White and Blue fashion yesterday during the final Saturday evening of the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. Spectators and Grand Prix riders competing in the $30,000 D-Braider Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix participated in a "Good Luck Send-Off" for the U.S. Show Jumping Team competing at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Video and electronic...

Maggie Ridenour Traverse City, MI - The final Saturday afternoon of the Horse Shows by the Bay Hunter/Jumper Series kicked off with the featured HJAM Junior and Adult Medal Finals. After one course walk prior to the three hotly contested Finals, Horse Shows by the Bay held a moment of silence to honor the recent passing of Richard A. Cram, Sr., a legendary Michigan horseman. His son, Rick Cram, Jr., provided a tribute to his dad that was read to the large crowd gathered to pay respects to a...

Katie Tyler and Seattle 6 won the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 29, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Week four of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival concluded on Sunday, July 29, with two exciting Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classics featured in the grand prix ring. Katie Tyler, 19, of North Kingstown, RI, rode Seattle 6 to victory in the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner...

Devin Ryan and Roman Saluut won the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix on Saturday, July 28, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Devin Ryan of Long Valley, NJ, scored his second consecutive grand prix victory at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival by winning the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix, sponsored by Hand Motors, on Saturday, July 28. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival, held at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT,...

Emma Wujek pictured on Simsalabim. Traverse City, MI - On the eve of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games Opening in London, England, Emma Wujek, a promising 11-year-old ambitious equestrian prodigy, showcased the natural polish, style and intensity of a seasoned equitation champion. These traits helped her capture the win in the Taylor Harris Insurance Services (T.H.I.S.) National Children's Medal yesterday at the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. The large...

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...

Jimmy Toon and Tigger won the $5,000 NEHJA Hunter Derby on Thursday, July 26, during week four of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Jimmy Toon of South Salem, NY, rode Jane Clark’s Tigger to victory in the $5,000 3’3” NEHJA Hunter Derby on Thursday, July 26, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival continues in East Dorset, VT, through August 12, 2012. The...

Darragh Kenny and Tonic triumphed in the $10,000 Kenneth Cole Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 26, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Tonic jumped to victory in the $10,000 Kenneth Cole Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 26 at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival is...

Mollie Kowalchik and Uccello Traverse City, MI - When Mollie Kowalchik walked into the Grand Prix Arena at Horse Shows by the Bay yesterday for the first time, she never dreamed that she would conclude the day with her first two major equitation wins in her young riding career. The 16-year-old Loveland, Ohio native captured top honors in both featured equitation classes by winning the USEF Talent Search Medal and the WIHS Jumper Phase. Aboard her 11-year-old warmblood Uccello, Kowalchik...