Part 2 in a five-part series about the exciting new discipline of western dressage More and more western riders are thinking about trying the exciting new discipline of western dressage. While the progressive training principles of dressage can be a benefit to any horse's development, riders will discover that trotting down the centerline of a dressage arena is a very different experience than they may be used to for a western pleasure or reining show. The first and most obvious difference...

More showing chronicles. Not to bore you or to toot our horns, but to make you think. To ask questions. To reflect. Dressage training should make our horses more rideable, more comfortable in their bodies as riding horses, better in their minds, and keep them sound longer as our partners. At least that is what my trainers have taught me.Our rescue organization takes in horses, some with long histories of lameness, and through proper training, conditioning and development over time, return them...

Rafael Jose Contreras of the Dominican Republic flies to the finish riding Valencio R.A.G. in the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Farm Winning Round at the Live Oak International on Sunday, March 24, in Ocala, FL. (Mark Astrom) Ocala, FL - A newcomer to the international show jumping ranks won the $33,000 CSI2* Hollow Creek Winning Round competition on Sunday afternoon. The format saw the top 10 riders, regardless of faults, advance to a second ‘winning round’ where everyone starts with...

Devon Kane, David Marcus, Mark Bellissimo, Allyn Mann, Matt Varney, and Michael Stone. (SusanJStickle.com) Wellington, FL -The 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) hosted its opening press conference Wednesday with a crowd of media in attendance to kick off this year's exciting line-up of top level competition. The AGDF circuit starts Thursday with CDI-W competition at the Wellington Dressage presented by The Dutta Corp. and includes another CDI-W, CDI-3*, CDI-5* and a...

Tina Konyot and Calecto V (Susan J. Stickle) Gladstone, NJ - Tina Konyot and Calecto V picked a good day to have their test of a lifetime. They stormed to the win in Friday's FEI Grand Prix test with a very determined performance to top the Grand Prix National Championship's third test of four. The 14-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion and Konyot scored above 80% for the first time in their career together. Live scores are available here . Konyot (Palm City, FL) and Calecto V won the...

Wellington, FL - Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC (ESP) announced today that ESP will be building a covered arena and at least one permanent barn (approximately 100 stalls) in advance of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival. The covered arena will be the centerpiece of the new show grounds to host the Global Dressage Festival in 2012, and it will be named the Van Kampen Arena in memory of the late investor who established a family legacy of philanthropy and charitable...

Greystone's Adirondack A'Herne, also known as "Harry. (Martha Stewart Show) New York City – Former United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) member and breeder Cindy Fletcher is the proud owner of Greystone's Adirondack A'Herne, also known as "Harry," an 18-year-old bay Connemara stallion who appeared this month on stage at the “Martha Stewart Show.” Previous to his Martha Stewart stardom, Harry has made his mark in the show ring, winning more than 50 champion or reserve champion driving...

Nick Skelton and Big Star. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - February 13, 2011 - The fifth week of competition at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival concluded on Sunday with the $25,00 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic, and it was Nick Skelton (GBR) and Big Star, owned by Beverly and Gary Widdowson, who proved victorious over a field of 65 entries. Alan Wade of Co. Tipperary, Ireland, designed today's courses and set a first-round track that 11 combinations would clear....

Grace Stuntz and Fitzhugh. (Photo by Sportfot©.) Wellington, FL - February 12, 2011 - The FTI Winter Equestrian Festival continued today and the hunter divisions were popular and competitive. Among the lucky riders who got to show in the afternoon when the sun was shining, were the Amateur-Owner 18-35 3'3" Hunters, presented by Illustrated Properties. Grace Stuntz was aboard her own mount Fitzhugh for the tricolor win this evening. Week 5 marks the second week this season that Stuntz and...

Waltenberry/USEF (Team Medalists at the 2010 SmartPak Young Rider Reining Championships) Lexington, KY - For the first time the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) will add a Junior Championship in the sport of Reining in 2011. Reining joins the Dressage, Eventing and Jumping disciplines in hosting International FEI championships for Juniors and Young Riders. The three Olympic Equestrian Disciplines were expanded to officially...