The Western Dressage world is abuzz with dressage talk. The hot topic of the moment seems to be progressive training, especially as it has to do with pyramids and scales. Pyramids are extremely stable structures that rely on strong, broad foundations and which rise to a point, a pinnacle if you will that represents a point of focus. Without the foundation, the pyramid loses strength. The intrinsic nature of the structure itself necessitates culmination in a point. The pyramid is the perfect...

Adrienne Lyle (Mary Cornelius) The Board of Directors of The Dressage Foundation announced that, for the first time, two recipients have been chosen to receive a $25,000 Carol Lavell Advanced Dressage Prize in the same year. Adrienne Lyle (ID) and her horse, Wizard, along with Sharon McCusker (MA) and her horse, Wrigley, were selected because they display the characteristics and qualities of being talented, committed, qualified riders whose plans are to reach and excel at the elite,...

Wellington, FL - The 1.40m $175,000 Grand Prix Invitational Series continued at The Ridge at Wellington on Friday, January 18. The 10-class series culminates in a $24,750 Grand Prix series finale on March 23, 2013. The second class of the series premiered at the Ridge at Wellington on Friday, January 18, with Laura Kraut and Maranonis Is taking the victory. Rodriguez and Elatrice captured the top prize and $15,000 in the first week of the series, yet did not have the same luck this week. The...

Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic Wellington, FL - Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic added a brilliant victory in today's Gold Coast Opener Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W to their win in Friday's Grand Prix CDI-W, both at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The pair of strong showings establishes them as top contenders in the World Dressage Masters (WDM) CDI5* Palm Beach at Jim Brandon, which will take place January 24-26. WDM will be far from a walkover, however. Kittel and Watermill...

Rich Fellers, 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year (Susan J. Stickle/PhelpsSports.com) Louisville, KY - He was the first American in 25 years to win the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final, highest placing U.S. Equestrian at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and winner of all four observation classes he entered. Now you can call Rich Fellers 2012 USEF Equestrian of the Year as well. Eight equestrians were nominated for the award and Fellers was revealed as the winner Saturday night at the USEF Pegasus Awards in...

Lexington, KY - In October 2012, for the very first time, the US Saddle Seat Young Rider Team application process got under way. 60 Applications were received from around the country, and from multiple Saddle Seat Breed members. After an extensive review the following 12 riders were selected to be part of the 2013 US Saddle Seat Young Rider Team. Three-Gaited Caroline Cherry/15/Encinitas, CA Courtney McGinnis/15/Fishers, IN Allison Schuh/18/Seymour, WI Kristen Smith/19/Crestwood, KY Lila...

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...

Lexington, KY- The seventh annual USEF Horsemastership Training Session presented by USHJA and Adequan wrapped-up Sunday January 6, 2013 with riders putting the skills they learned over the week to the test. Participants had the unique opportunity to train with legendary Training Session participants with USEF (Amy Serridge/USEF Archive) horseman and former U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe USEF during the Training Session held January 2-6. Over the five-day Training Session riders took...

Happy New Year everyone! I am glad to be here and since it is obvious that the Earth did not tip over on its axis turning our mountains into oceans and our oceans into mountains, I have to wonder what 2013 will bring to Western Dressage. Maybe the better question is “What will Western Dressage bring to the world?” Indeed it is an intriguing question when put this way. As our fledgling discipline begins to feather out, the directions in which western dressage may fly continue to...

Happy Holidays! Tis the season and all my best to everyone. This time of year we are especially grateful for all the perfections we find our lives are blessed with. Wishing all of you the very best of holiday seasons. Thank you for reading and supporting the development of western dressage. It was a very exciting time for representatives from North American Western Dressage to attend the USDF Annual Convention in New Orleans December 5-8. President Jen Johnson and Board member Jennifer Collman...