Minneapolis, Minn. - The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America (WPCSA) held its 2014 Annual General Meeting over the weekend of February 22-23, 2014 in Minneapolis, MN. The cold weather around the country may have created travel difficulties but attendees received a warm welcome from the Welsh of Minnesota! Society members from across the United States joined in in Society business and committee meetings, award banquets and presentations. The WPCSA Election Results The membership elected to...

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...

Christian Heineking masters Leopoldo Palacio's course to win the $41,000 LEG Anniversary Grand Prix (Flying Horse Photography) Christian Heineking (GER) proved he was the only one who could answer Leopoldo Palacios’ questions in the $41,000 LEG Anniversary Grand Prix at the National Preview (Oct 30-Nov 3)—and he did it twice. Christian started the class with a bang aboard NKH Selena (NKH LLC, owner) and made the course look easy with a clear round within the time allowed. “I...

Abigael Kaufman and Ivanhoe (©Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington, D.C . - The 55th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) hosted its opening day at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. on Tuesday with a full day of hunter competition. The professional and amateur-owner riders showed throughout the day in the first classes of their divisions and will conclude their competition for championship honors on Wednesday. The children's and adult hunter riders competed for...

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping and Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals Set for April 2015 Las Vegas, NV - The International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and Las Vegas Events, Inc. (LVE) join in announcing that the FEI World Cup™ Finals in both show jumping and dressage will return to Las Vegas in 2015. Las Vegas will host the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final and the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final at...

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo (Rebecca Walton) orth Salem, NY - Friday the 13th proved to a lucky day for Beezie Madden, who stormed to victory on her veteran mount Coral Reef Via Volo during the $100,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier, presented by Double H Farm & Windsor Show Stables. Fifty-five entries showed on the Grand Prix Field at Old Salem Farm during the 2013 American Gold Cup CSI4*-W, but only eight finished without fault to qualify for the jump-off, where Madden and Coral...

Last week I posted a virtual show entry video from an amazingly brave woman who continues to allow me to use her material for examples in this blog. Her courage and generosity inspire me and I hope that her open heart and willingness to be visible inspire you too. I hope that some of you readers are able to identify with her as a peer, a rider struggling to understand riding and training her stock horse and that you professionals at least respect her courage. Reaction to the video has been...

July 31 through August 4 Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta California will be the site for the 2013 “Gold N Grand Cowboy Dressage Show.” The show sports 42 classes with competitive divisions for open, amateur and youth riders who will be riding walk/jog and walk/jog/lope and Cowboy Challenge tests. As of this writing, there were 165 rides scheduled in three days! Such a fabulous turnout for Cowboy Dressage in Northern California. Show official Michele Dodge will oversee 3...

Kristi Nunnink & R-Star after winning the Event at Rebecca Farm CIC3* (USEA) Kalispel, MT - R-Star has done it again. For the second consecutive year, this grey Holsteiner mare by Riverman, has won the CIC3* at The Event at Rebecca Farm rising from fifth after cross-country to first with an accurately ridden round over the Marc Donovan designed show jumping course. Katie Ruppel and Houdini took down just one rail to move up to second ahead of Katie Groesbeck and Oz The Tin Man who moved...

Thanks to everyone who took the time to send emails to USEF and for sharing your thoughts and feelings about the direction Western Dressage should take. It is so important to hear and listen to different ideas from all directions as the discipline develops. At this point all there is to do is continue to ride and train and show, and most important, to have fun with our horses. With another show coming up this weekend for us, I have put a lot of thought into the questions the last show brought...