The sixth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder When on a horse, I wear a riding helmet. My students wear riding helmets. I ride and show western and dressage. The helmet/hat quandary, style vs. safety, the tradition or common sense conversation is therefore a subject near and dear to my heart. On March 22, 2012, I went into the hay barn to get a bale of hay to feed lunch in the barn. To make a long story short, despite my usual care in tipping bales, as I turned to leave the...

Caitlyn Shiels and S&L Downtown finished first in the Six, Seven and Eight-Year-Old Young Jumper class during the opening week of the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – The next generation of grand prix horses took center stage during the first three weeks of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival horse show, running July 4 through August 12 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT. Five-Year-Old, Six-Year-Old and Seven and...

Coco Fath and Red Robin won the Grand Pony Hunter Championship at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series (AnLi Kelly-Durham/PMG) Devon, PA - The Pony Hunter competitors were glad to see an end to the heat wave as they took center stage in the Gold Ring today at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS). The Large Pony Hunter Champion award went Barbara Ann Merryman and For the Love. Daisy Farish took home division championship honors with Sassafras...

The fifth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Last week I poked a little fun at what western dressage riders are wearing for both schooling and show. This week I want to bring you the reality of the situation from manufacturers who give us the products that will ultimately be seen in rings around the country. Last week I showed you the proposed North American Western Dressage rules for WD show attire. Since the requirements state that riders must wear a long-sleeved shirt with...

Kaitlin Campbell and Rocky W claimed victory in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Co. Open Welcome Stake on Thursday, July 5, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Kaitlin Campbell of Brookeville, Maryland, captured victory in the $10,000 Overland Sheepskin Co. Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 5, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The six-week equestrian competition is...

Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...

Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger (SusanJStickle.com) Gladstone, NJ - The 2012 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships held in conjunction with the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials came down to the slimmest of margins this afternoon as riders performed their Freestyle tests at the Pine Meadow location of the USET Foundation. Heading to the final test of the championships only a few marks separated the top three riders and the remaining 20% of the final score would be...

Kent Farrington and Venus won the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic at the Kentucky Spring Classic. (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington, KY - Kent Farrington concluded the Kentucky Spring Classic on a great note, claiming first and second during this morning's $20,000 Bluegrass Classic aboard Venus and Voyeur, respectively. With a baker's dozen in the jump-off, Farrington completed the fastest two double-clear efforts with the talented mounts. Young rider Michael Murphy earned the third place award...

Bonheiden, Belgium - A team of four American riders took to the course in Young Rider Nations Cup competition at the CSIOYJ Bonheiden Saturday afternoon and jumped their way into a tie for fourth place. The U.S. Team's top performer of the day was Alise Oken (Charlotte, NC) & Hi Hopes Farm's Kaid Du Ry. They offered one of the strongest showings of the day and jumped two clear efforts over both rounds of competition. Oken & Kaid Du Ry were one of only two pairs to produce double...

Some quick updates from the Bonheiden CSIOY/J. Young Rider American Young Riders competing in Belgium this week have so far taken first place in two classes and finished in the top ten four other times. Leading the pack are Jennifer Goddard and Stateside Farm’s Ungaro de la Hot Couture. Together they took first in Thursday’s 1.2m 2 phase class and Friday’s 1.3m Table C class. Jennifer (Fort Solanga, NY) also finished third in the 1.3m Jump Off class Thursday riding Stateside...