Phillip and I'm Sew Ready (USEA/Caroline Culbertson photo) When you’re as good as Phillip Dutton, being asked to ride very nice horses for other people isn’t particularly unusual. But Phillip doesn’t take it for granted, especially after a day as successful as today at the Cloud Eleven - Gavilan North Carolina International in Southern Pines, N.C., where he leads a field of 52 horses in the CIC3*/Adequan USEA Gold Cup qualifier. Phillip rode Kristen Bond’s mount...

, Kylie Heitman and Lena The Dressage Foundation's Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund has awarded an $800 grant to youth dressage rider Kylie Heitman (MI) to train her Warmblood, Lena, with Jacqueline Brooks. Kylie and Lena are currently in Florida working with Jacqueline and participating in Lendon Gray’s Winter Intensive Training Program as an auditor. Lendon shared, "I first knew Kylie from the Emerging Dressage Athlete Program clinics a few years ago. She was a joy to teach and...

After five days of top show jumping and impressive entertainment, the first ever edition of the Stephex Masters in Wolvertem came to an end. Ten thousands of spectators, riders, owners, sponsors and other partners left the showground with great memories. The top three of the STX Horseboxes Grand Prix afterwards expressed their appreciation of this new world class event near Brussels. Grand Prix winner and world number five Kent Farrington: ‘I don’t know what more you can ask from a...

McLain Ward and Dulien Van De Smeets fly to a win (©ESI Photography) Saugerties, N.Y. - When McLain Ward climbed down from the tack of Dulien Van De Smeets after winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix presented by Zoetis, he didn’t look for congratulations, but marched straight to the mare’s owner, his godmother. Susie Heller stood clutching a winner’s trophy and was scooped up by Ward’s embrace. Every win is special, but this was divinely special. This week marked the...

Part 2 in a five-part series about the exciting new discipline of western dressage More and more western riders are thinking about trying the exciting new discipline of western dressage. While the progressive training principles of dressage can be a benefit to any horse's development, riders will discover that trotting down the centerline of a dressage arena is a very different experience than they may be used to for a western pleasure or reining show. The first and most obvious difference...

Andrew Ramsay and Adamo van't Steenputje (McCool Photography) Las Vegas, N.V. - Saturday at the Las Vegas National was a spectacular display of show jumping at its finest, plus some sky-high entertainment. The first of two highlight events was the $10,000 SmartPak Winning Round Classic, with forty-seven entries and the top ten returning for a lightning fast second round. Later in the evening, the $50,000 Markel Insurance Grand Prix CSI-W had forty-two entries with eight pairs going clean,...

Devon, PA - Despite the rain Thursday afternoon at Devon, competitors in the USEF Talent Search came out ready to ride. The thirteen-jump course was challenging, with a long ride to the first fence, tight turns, and two water obstacles. The riders came prepared, many approaching the course with determination and confidence. Their drive to succeed was evident in both their skill and strategy. The section A competitors took to the ring amidst cloud cover and slight winds. The first few riders...

Jeanine Cash and Lansing (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Lansing and Jeanine Cash had a clean sweep of the Adult Amateur 36-50 division during week one of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Richard Schechter and trained by Gary Duffy, was unbeatable both days of competition, taking home the blue for every over fences class as well as the under saddle. Joe Maskrey's Winter Rose, ridden by Lynn Seithel, earned...

The eighth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Western Dressage is a big up and coming equestrian discipline right now. I believe this is the right time for the sport to emerge as a reality and the interest level proves that the idea has been around for a long time. When I started talking to everyone about it, I was surprised! In our area, a Western Dressage Facebook page was started and we had 130 members within about 2 days! That was so important because it showed how much...

Dougie Hannum doesn’t stress. But when the red foam finger feeding frenzy kicked off today - he may have gotten slightly agitated. It didn’t last long. The SmartPak/USEF Foam Finger “Dressage is #1” Initiative has really taken off. These things are everywhere and everyone wants one. The British are so polite. They say please, they insist on paying, they ask if they can have their photo taken with Sarah Paull who is actually running around wearing a giant foam finger...