As you know I occasionally receive a story from a Western Dressage rider and this week I would like to share with you the story behind a beautiful magazine cover photo that appeared recently in Paint Horse Journal and which featured coverage of Western Dressage. The photo was of Katrina Sanders and her Paint horse Pirate. Here is what Katrina shares with western dressage enthusiasts this week: “Thank you so much for offering to feature my photo in your blog! I am honored and so grateful...

Twelve horses from a field of 48 returned to jump off in the Telefonica Grand Prix at the La Coruña CSI4* in Spain. Their riders included such worldwide show jumping stars as Daniel Deusser, Kevin Staut, and John Whitaker, and it was the U.S.'s own star Kent Farrington that led Amalaya Investment's Voyeur to the top of the leaderboard. With a clean jump-off round in a speedy 47.15s, after a fine first round over Javier Tranor's thirteen obstacle course, Kent and Voyeur proved...

Brittini Raflowitz cleaned up Chicago on the final day of Equifest I with the $7,500 Cavalor High Junior/Amateur-Owner victory aboard Zacca Zoeloe, riding to the second place with KT Undercover (Ashley N. Williams) Wayne, IL - The final day of Equifest I opened to cloudless skies and strong jumper competition as the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers took the spotlight in the Grand Prix Arena at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Brittini Raflowitz rode to her fourth major win of the week, this...

Andrew Bourns and Gatsby - (Cealy Tetley) Bromont, Quebec - July 28, 2013 - The International Bromont ended this Sunday July 28th with Irishman Andrew Bourns' stunning victory in the Quebec Original World Cup qualifying event, at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park. The course, designed by world renowned Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), comprised thirteen obstacles for sixteen efforts, with a time allowed of 85 seconds. Only three of the twenty-eight participating pairs made it to the jump-off, as...

Kristi Nunnink & R-Star after winning the Event at Rebecca Farm CIC3* (USEA) Kalispel, MT - R-Star has done it again. For the second consecutive year, this grey Holsteiner mare by Riverman, has won the CIC3* at The Event at Rebecca Farm rising from fifth after cross-country to first with an accurately ridden round over the Marc Donovan designed show jumping course. Katie Ruppel and Houdini took down just one rail to move up to second ahead of Katie Groesbeck and Oz The Tin Man who moved...

Margaret O'Meara rode Voice of Reason to the top of the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter Championship, also capturing the reserve championship with Casino (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Wayne, IL - It was the perfect weather at Lamplight Equestrian Center to welcome champions into the winner's circle for the conclusion of Equifest I. The Amateur-Owner Hunters and Junior Hunter divisions wrapped up the weeklong competition. Samantha Hall and Beyond Time took home the Junior Hunter Championship, while...

Richie Moloney and Slieveanorra - (Cealy Tetley) Bromont, Quebec - Irish rider Richie Moloney finishes in first place in the Modified Grand Prix event, on Saturday July 27 at the 38th edition of International Bromont. Venezuelan course designer Leopoldo Palacios' course comprised many technical difficulties, as the participants' results reflect. Of the 34 pairs registered, none succeeded in executing a perfect round: the time allowed of 83 seconds combined with a highly challenging...

Ammeretto and David Beisel (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, MI - David Beisel and Ammeretto saved their best for last. After winning the first class they contested during the 2013 Horse Shows by the Bay Series on July 4, they finally picked up their second blue ribbon today during the $30,000 D-Braider Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix. "It was worth the wait, for sure," said Beisel, who also notched his first grand prix win aboard the 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion (Numero...

Shane Sweetnam and Fineman (Shawn McMillen) Lexington, KY - The Rolex Stadium was full of excited spectators as they gathered on Hats Off Day to watch the country's top horse and riders compete during the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix. The international riders gave them exactly what they were looking for: an exciting tiebreaker between five-horse and rider combination dashing to the finish. In the end it was Ireland's Shane Sweetnam and his new mount Fineman that led the victory...

Hillary Simpson guided Arkansas to victory in the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grad Prix, on Saturday, July 27, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT - Arkansas’ racing days may be far behind him, but he is still quite the speed demon. Hillary Simpson piloted the 10-year-old Thoroughbred gelding to victory in the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix Saturday afternoon at the Vermont Summer Festival. Simpson was only one of two double clear...