The twenty first in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder As this blog has progressed, I have tried to bring awareness about Western Dressage to the equestrian community at large. Now I am going to encourage you to do some research on your own. By now you know that there are several organizations promoting the development of the sport. At this point the question we hear most often from people all over is: “What is the difference?” To some it seems that the differences that...

Paige Johnson and Chiron S won the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix Victory at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - t was the final day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, and the excitement was high as the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix got underway in the Rolex Stadium. It was a bittersweet finale to the fourth week of the Kentucky Summer Series, with 41 entrants competing for the top prize. Paige Johnson and Chiron S were one of only four to...

Richard Rinehart and Julio Zionsville, IN - August 7, 2012 - The 2012 Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair got underway today at beautiful Wild Air Farm in Zionsville, IN. The popular, festive show is located on a spectacular backdrop nestled amid Indiana hills and woods. The Jumper classes in the Russell Fortune Grand Prix Arena got underway with challenging courses designed by Steve Stephens, which tested horses and riders strength, going from long gallops to tight turns and...

Christian Heineking and NKH Selena dashed to the top of the leaderboard in the 1.40m Open Jumper speed class at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The first day of the Kentucky Summer Classic was filled with exciting jumper action in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. This afternoon, competitors had the opportunity to showcase their speed in the 1.40m Open Jumpers and show off their talents navigating the 1.35 Open Jumpers. Christian Heineking led the...

Aaron Vale and Tibor won the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix with a blazing speed, defeating Pablo Barrios for the winning title. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington KY - The Rolex Stadium was alive with excitement as 34 entrants competed in the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. It turned into a nail-biter as five competitors progressed into the jump-off with a clear first round effort. Trailblazer Pablo Barrios aboard Zara Leandra was the first to post a...

As the United States looks forward to the 2012 Paralympics for the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, the Para-Equestrian Driving Team will be preparing for the 2012 Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships, scheduled August 30-September 2, 2012 in Breda, The Netherlands. The 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Driving Team for the World Driving Championships include Diane Kastama, Grade 1, from Arroyo Grande, CA; Pam Johnson, Grade 2 from Pleasant Hill, MO; and Karen Gorham, Grade 2, of...

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...

Reining Junior Team Gold - USA Southeast on their victory lap (Waltenberry) Lexington, KY - The Reining Team Championship competition was tightly contested today at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) with Team USA South-Central claiming the top of the podium in Young Rider Competition and Team USA Southeast in the Gold position for Juniors. The NAJYRC runs through Sunday, July 22, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY....

Molly Ashe-Cawley raced across the finish line with Carissimo after scoring the quickest of only three double-clear rounds during the $32,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake.(Kendall Bierer/PMG) Tampa, FL - The crowd was alive with anticipation as 10 riders moved into the Tampa Bay Welcome Stake jump-off yesterday evening. The nation's top riders joined the series, attempting to garner the championship prize in the $32,000 Tampa Bay Welcome Stake CSI 2* at the Tampa Equestrian Series. Molly...

Alexa Effron Sweeps the Coldwell Banker Children's 14 & Under Hunters Wellington, FL - The second week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival came to a close today, and competition in the International Arena was fierce with the $25,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic. Marie Hecart (FRA) was the fastest clear round in the jump-off on Ecurie Michel Hecart's Oceane de Nantuel. Second place went to last week's 1.50m winners, Nick Skelton (GBR) and Beverley...