Stephanie Riggio with ringmaster Cliff Haines (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - After a year away from the show ring recovering from a foot injury, Saline is back in a big way at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Owner and rider Stephanie Riggio of New York City piloted the 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare to victory in the La Mundial Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Section B division. Riggio and Saline were named champions of the division after placing sixth and...

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 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...

Today’s post comes from Sin City, Las Vegas Nevada. Since I am here in the region of Southwest Western Dressage, I decided to write the blog as an interview with someone from the Las Vegas equestrian community who was doing Western Dressage. So I opened up the phone book to call a local barn. Every barn number but one was disconnected or no longer in service. The one that was working was a casino! So I called a feed store, thinking that at the feed store would be someone who knew someone...

DRESSAGE OPTIONS FOR TESTS FOR U25 The Dressage Committee has made following clarification: Organising Committees will have four options for starting possibilities at CDI-U25 events: • Intermediate II – Young rider Grand Prix 16-25 • Intermediate II – Grand Prix Freestyle • Young Rider Grand Prix 16-25 – Grand Prix Freestyle • Intermediate II – Young Rider Grand Prix 16-25 – Grand Prix Freestyle Please be aware that there is no specific GP...

Fair Hill, MD - Many of the nation’s top horses and riders are set to compete in the 24th annual Dansko Fair Hill International, October 18-21 at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in the scenic countryside of Fair Hill, MD. With world-class equestrian action, a full schedule of fun family activities, and fabulous shopping and dining opportunities, the 2012 Dansko Fair Hill International is a "must see" event. Returning to this year’s Dankso Fair Hill International is...

Gladstone, NJ - The prestigious 2012 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals East got underway Saturday with the flat phase and gymnastics phase. Held at the beautiful USET Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, 92 competitors competed in the first two phases of the event, vying for the coveted winning title. Seventeen-year-old Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD, is currently atop the leader board after winning today's gymnastics phase with a score 95.5, and also...

Winner of Hanovarian class Age 2 and under Francheska AH (Project Marketing) Devon, PA - Dressage at Devon attendees were treated to an amazing array of individual breed classes in the world’s largest open Breed Show. From Andulusians to Gypsy Vanners, and Hanovarians to Knabstruppers, each breed had the opportunity to show off its unique qualities. In the Hanovarian – Age 2 and under, Francheska AH (Fielding/SPS Malena), bred and owned by Kate Palmquist, took home the blue. In the...

Lezirias, Portugal - The United States got off to a quick start at the FEI World Driving Championships for Singles as they stand fourth in the team standings following the first phase of competition with a score of 96.5. Leslie Berndl leads the way for the U.S. after scoring 46.46 in the dressage to stand in sixth place individually. In the Team competition Germany leads on a score of 83.4. While Poland's Bartlomiej Kwiatek leads the Individual championship after scoring 38.53 in the...