I have been promising to update readers on current trends in the Western Dressage world. One way of keeping track of what WD is doing, where it is going and who is doing it is to track events. NAWD, CD and WDAA all maintain calendars of clinics and shows around the country. By analyzing those calendars we have a simple method of tracking what is happening. The information is limited by the fact that show and clinic organizers must report their event to the organization for inclusion on these...

Sigrid Wolff and Kodaly, owned by Alex Holland (Cavallis) Lexington, KY - Two observation sessions for the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program have taken place in Wellington, FL February 13-14 and Burbank, CA February 22-23. Between the two sessions, USEF Young Horse Coach, Scott Hassler, has been able to observe close to 40 young horses. The majority of riders attended the sessions with their personal trainers, allowing them to develop plans for their horses with the help of Hassler....

Darragh Kenny and Twister (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Week seven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Hermès, began on Wednesday morning at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, with a win for Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Cavallo Farms, LLC's Twister in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper speed class. Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL, set the speed track for the 1.45m jumpers in the DeNemethy Arena at PBIEC. Fifteen entries...

No Worries and Devin Ryan (Flashpoint photography) Gulfport, MS - The Gulf Coast Winter Classic 's National Week saw a field of 21 jumpers gallop onto the breathtaking grand prix arena for the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome class, but this week it would be No Worries, owned by Barbara Rowland and ridden by Long Valley, New Jersey native Devin Ryan, who would end up in the winner's circle. Of the twenty one entries, the class saw ten of the horse and rider teams go clean in the first round....

This week I want to update you about some exciting new programs coming in 2013 for Western Dressage enthusiasts. As this discipline continues to develop, more tests are available, more shows are available, and more award programs vie for participation. The show and clinic calendars are filling up for the year and so much is happening. In January our local WSH Zone added year end awards for Western Dressage following the inclusion of Western Dressage as a subdivision of Dressage on the...

The twenty second in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder With the Holiday, I have just a short newsy blog for readers this week. I for one am looking forward to what the New Year brings in all areas, especially video submissions for the virtual shows. It is an exciting and challenging time for everyone involved on all fronts, a time that requires courage, flexibility, willingness to share and learn from one another, as well as patience as WD emerges over time. Like Edison with the light...

The twentieth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder This week is all about news, news and more news. Never a dull moment in Western Dressage! This just out via a press release from WDAA: “The WDAA has been guided throughout by the leadership, strategy, and policies of its Board of Directors and Advisory Board, both of which are volunteer positions and provide their services without funding. Each are comprised of distinguished professionals from all facets of the equine...

2012 is nearly over. Show season is winding down and Western dressage organizations are gathering feedback from judges and competitors alike about tests, rules, shows and all things western dressage. Late fall is time for annual meetings for everyone and WD is on agendas all over the country. NAWD and WDAA are busy analyzing data and perfecting tests and rulebooks before the 2013 show season starts so more news will be coming from these fronts very soon. USEF and USDF will have more information...

Shane Sweetnam of Ireland and Cyklon 1083 win the Gambler's Choice. (Al Cook) Shane Sweetnam of Ireland won the exciting $10,000 Open Jumper Gambler's Choice on Western Night at the 67th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show Wednesday evening. As the last rider to go, Sweetnam realized his only chance for victory was to risk it all with Cyklon 1083, owned by Spy Coast Farm, by jumping the "Double or Nothing" fence. The Gambler's Choice was an electrifying class where each jump was...

Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals Presentation. (Al Cook) Harrisburg, PA - Meg O'Mara of Rumson, NJ, bested a field of 257 junior riders to win the prestigious Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals, presented by Randolph College, at the 67th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Sunday. It was an emotional time for O'Mara. The announcer just finished naming Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, the Reserve Champion. When she realized that the Championship title was...