Welcome to a different kind of blog from WDAA! The purpose of this post is to allow the reader "into the heads" of both a trainer/judge/competitor, Karen Abbattista and her student, Deborah Herbert, a Florida WDAA member. We would like to share with you some moments in Deb's journey as she pursues her riding goals with her AQHA mare "GenuineArcticSpring", barn name "Belle". Please enjoy as you follow along with these posts that we consider interesting or challenging moments on their journey...

Ammeretto and David Beisel (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, MI - David Beisel and Ammeretto saved their best for last. After winning the first class they contested during the 2013 Horse Shows by the Bay Series on July 4, they finally picked up their second blue ribbon today during the $30,000 D-Braider Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix. "It was worth the wait, for sure," said Beisel, who also notched his first grand prix win aboard the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Numero...

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - The top riders in the country gathered to compete for the winning prize in tonight's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, but in the 15-horse jump-off only the fastest and most accurate would have the chance at the prize money. Venezuela's Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra scored the lion's share of the cash after making a mad dash across the finish line in a scorching 43.662 seconds for the win. The...

Catherine Tyree guided Sandor de la Pomme to victory in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 25, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT - Catherine Tyree and her newly acquired mount, Sandor de la Pomme, secured their first victory together in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Company Welcome Stake, presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 25, at...

Devin Ryan guided Zosja to victory in the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix, presented by the Inns at Equinox, on July 20 at the Vermont Summer Festival in (East Dorset, VT) East Dorset, VT - Devin Ryan and Zosja were declared the winners of the $30,000 Otter Creek Grand Prix, presented by the Inns at Equinox, on Saturday afternoon at the Vermont Summer Festival. Ryan and Zosja were the only double-clear round of the day, laying down a steady and careful second trip to secure them the victory....

Jumping Young Rider Team Gold medalists from Zone 2: Lillie Keenan, Michael Hughes, Gabrielle Bausano, and Mattias Tromp (Sportfot) Lexington, KY – There were four Team medal competitions today at the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). In the Jumping, Zone 2 won both the the Young Rider and Junior Golds. USA took Gold in the Junior division of Reining, while the Young Riders from Canada were best. The NAJYRC continues...

Peter Wylde guided Lewin 5 to victory in the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, on July 13 at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT — Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde and Lewin 5 sped to their second Grand Prix victory in a row at the Vermont Summer Festival, winning the $30,000 Battenkill Grand Prix, presented by Johnson Horse Transportation, during week two of the six-week show jumping...

McLain Ward and Cadence (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, Alberta - Despite having first ridden Cadence last week, McLain Ward had confidence in his new mount. They have had a string of top finishes at the 'Canada One' and 'North American' Tournaments, and today was their first victory. Ward was one of three that made it into the jump-off in the $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup 1.50m out of 36 entries. He was the first to go and put in an efficient round in 36.52 seconds with...

Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde guided Lewin 5 to victory in the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix on July 6 at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Peter Wylde made his first trip to Manchester, VT, a winning one by claiming victory in the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix on July 6. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival is running July 2 through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT. A veteran of the...

Reed Kessler and Cylana (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, Alberta – It was an exciting day of show jumping at the Spruce Meadows 'North American' Tournament with the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Reed Kessler (USA) bested a strong line-up and was the only one to jump clear in both rounds with Cylana for victory. Conor Swail (IRL) and Lansdowne finished second, while Beezie Madden (USA) and Simon were third. Christine McCrea (USA) was able to ride to the win in...