The second in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder I started formal riding lessons when I was four years old. English riding lessons. The doctors told my mom it would be good for me. It was 1969. The Academy where I learned is now a national historic landmark. By the time I was 6, I was riding with double reins. My introduction to western riding came when my parents purchased a POA stallion for me the summer of my sixth year. That pony could buck my dad off! ‘Nuff said. When...

Lexington, KY - Marilyn Little-Meredith has withdrawn Raylyn Farm's RF Rovano Rex from the USEF Eventing Short List for the 2012 Olympic Games. The horse has been withdrawn for veterinary reasons. "I am incredibly grateful to the USEF Selection Panel for their faith in RF Rovano Rex and myself, and for the honor of our inclusion on the Olympic Short List for 2012," said Little-Meredith. "Unfortunately, I believe it is in the best interest of my wonderful partner to save him for another day,...

Hunt Tosh and Lone Star swept the Performance 3'6" Hunters on the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - Today marked the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic as horse and rider combinations gathered at the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The professional divisions started out the morning, seeing some of the nation's most talented riders vie for the top honors in their respective divisions. Riders who rode to the blue today included...

Beezie Madden and Mademoiselle were the winners of the $50,000 Grand Prix of Tampa CSI 2*-W (Bierer/PMG) Tampa, FL - The Tampa Bay Classic, held at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL, has come to an end after an exceptional week of competition. After a week of unparalleled athleticism and talent, exhibitors are reveling in their success and taking a quick break before the second week of the Tampa Equestrian Series begins. The main highlight was on the...

The Gold United States Para-Equestrian Team (Pictured Left to Right: USEF Director Pam Lane, Chef d'equipe Missy Ransehousen, Rebecca Hart, Erin Alberda, Mary Jordan, and in front is Donna Ponessa). Photo: Hope Hand/USPEA. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - When the United States Para-Equestrian Team flew Down Under for the 2011 Melbourne CPEDI3* (held at Werribee Park National Equestrian Center), they were prepared to give it their all. This competition was not just about top scores but it was...

Fairfield, CT — St. Andrews University Equestrian Program director and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) coach, Peggy McElveen, is promising quintessential Southern hospitality when the Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex hosts the 39th Intercollegiate Horse Show Association National Championships, May 3-6, 2012, in Raleigh, NC. Think rocking chairs. Magnolia blossoms. White picket fences. “A Taste of Raleigh” from its finest five-star restaurants. And...

Things are getting going now. The day started with a trip to the USOC communications headquarters at the Main Press Center - it was great to see everyone and make some plans for the next three weeks. To many of the sport people, what we do is very foreign so I did a lot of explaining about how these horses are going to get to Mexico. The USOC staff is great, I met them all in Colorado Springs a few weeks ago - it is a great reminder that we are part of something so much greater than our sport....

We have landed at the 2011 Pan American Games. Well four of us have. Jim Wolf, the Chef d'Mission, Christy Baxter the world's most organized executive assistant, Doug Hannum, stable manager to the stars, and me, Joanie Morris - I'm the press officer. I hope you don't get tired of hearing from me. I will be (attempting) to use twitter, press releases, the USEF Network so choose your poison and keep up to speed with what the teams are up to. We are getting the lay of the land,...

Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale Claim 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships (Photo: Lindsay Yosay McCall 2011). Saugerties, NY - The top Para-Equestrian Dressage competitors in the U.S. produced quality performances on the third and final day of the 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships. With the standings incredibly close after the first two days of competition, the top spot was up for the taking as riders across the five different grades vied to...

Lexington, KY - Canada's Yann Candele has taken over the lead in the 2011 Hagyard Challenge Series after earning strong finishes with four mounts over the last two weeks during the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show and the KHJA Horse Show. Two weeks ago, Candele took home the winning prize aboard Azzaro during the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, and also placed fifth and sixth. During the KHJA Horse Show, Candle placed sixth, ninth, and eleventh in the prestigious class to earn valuable...