The twenty first in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder It was an exciting weekend for western dressage in the Pacific Northwest November 2-4. On Friday the Washington State Horsemen (WSH) voted to add Western Dressage as a new discipline on the roster of events offered by the organization statewide. WD has been added as a sub-category of dressage and will utilize NAWD Official Rules and Tests for the 2013 show season so WD classes may now be added to any WSH approved Dressage show...

Bridgehampton, NY - Even though the Grand Prix Ring at the 37th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show is hosting five Olympic gold medalists and many other international stars this week, Friday morning’s jumper classes belonged to two teenagers whose eyes are set on similar accomplishments. Luis Larrazabal, 19, won the $15,000 Speed Derby, presented by Sotheby’s, and Victoria Colvin, 14, won the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake. Riding G&C Lepanto, Larrazabal, a native of...

Bridgehampton, NY - The Hampton Classic hosted the championship finals for the Long Island Horse Show Series for Riders with Disabilities on Monday, with riders in three divisions competing for year-end titles. In the advanced independent division, Todd Pritscher, 30, of Yaphank, N.Y., riding Robin Hood, won the championship over Joe Penzel, 19, of Huntington, N.Y., riding Diamond. In the beginner independent division, Tiffany Kahles, 18, of East Meadow, N.Y., riding Gryffindor, won the...

Lexington, KY - The best vaulters from across the U.S. are ready to begin competition at the FEI World Vaulting Championship at the Pole Europeen du Cheval in Le Mans, France from August 16-19, 2012. Vaulters will be vying for World Championship titles in the Individual Female, Individual Male, Pas de Duex, and Team competitions. The recently crowned Gold Individual Female National Vaulting Champion Mary McCormick (Woodside, CA) hopes to continue her success in France. Having also won the...

Reed Kessler leads the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series Leading Rider Standings (pictured with Cylana). (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington KY - Although young rider Reed Kessler of Lexington, KY, is currently representing the United States at the Olympic World Games in London, she still holds the top spot in the 2012 Hagyard Challenge Series, sponsored by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Consisting of seven grand prix classes to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park, the...

Laura Kraut and Cedric scored top ribbons at the international horse show Jumping Chantilly 2012. Kraut also earned the Leading Lady Rider award. (Sydney Masters) Chantilly, France - Laura Kraut and Cedric continue to jump their way to the top of the European standings. The competition was fierce at the international horse show Jumping Chantilly France 2012 this past weekend. From July 19-22 the sport's most renowned riders picked up the reins to compete for the top prizes. Kraut guided...

Gladstone, NJ - Following the approval of the USEF High Performance Working Group and the USEF Executive Commitee, the FEI Nominated Entry for the U.S. Para-Equestrian Team for the 2012 Paralympic Games is as follows. Athletes and horse are listed in ranked order based on the results from the 2012 USEF Selection Trials & National Para-Equestrian Championship: 1. Rebecca Hart and Jessica Ransehousen’s Lord Ludger 2. Jonathan Wentz and Kai Handt’s NTEC Richter Scale 3. Donna...

Lexington, KY - In its largest round of grant funding to date, USA Equestrian Trust has awarded nearly $240,000 to 11 equine non-profits that applied by the first of the foundation's two 2012 application deadlines. The $239,780 in grants is an increase of 21 percent compared to 2011. That mirrored the continued dramatic jump in interest in the Trust's grants program, which saw applications rise 38 percent. The Trust's leadership approved an expansion of the program earlier this...

Eirin Bruheim and Tackeray won in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the Show Jumper Classic. (Morgan German) Tomball, TX - Eirin Bruheim of Nordic Lights Farm was very successful during her first competition aboard her newest mount, Tackeray. Purchased from Great Britain's Ben Maher just a short time ago, Bruheim and Tackeray are already proving to be a great match, showing in their first competition during the Show Jumper Classic in Tyler, TX. The pair took winning honors in the...

North Salem, NY - Eighteen-year-old Katie Dinan and Grant Road Partner’s Nougat Du Vallet were the best of a stellar field as they took the win in the $25,000 New York Welcome Stake at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows taking place at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Forty-seven entries showed in this afternoon’s welcome stake over a course set by Alan Wade of Tipperary, Ireland. Twelve horse and rider combinations were able to clear the first round course to advance to the...