So we got the competition started yesterday. Literally. Boyd was first in on Otis Barbotiere and did a great job with the French phenom. Still green, Otis tried his heart out and coped remarkably well with the atmosphere. Unfortunately the judges weren't all quite on the same page yet, as the caffeine in the coffee was seemingly NOT evenly distributed. There was a 7 point spread in his scores which in the sport of reining, for instan ce, would be cause for an audit.We got over that, but it...

Devin Ryan and Roman Saluut won the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix on Saturday, July 28, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Devin Ryan of Long Valley, NJ, scored his second consecutive grand prix victory at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival by winning the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix, sponsored by Hand Motors, on Saturday, July 28. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival, held at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT,...

Maria Takacs and Dominus lead the way in the Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter Division at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - July 27, 2012 - It was a moist morning as the Stonlea Arena awoke from a stormy night to the Amateur-Owner competitors ready to show off their dime piece horses in over fences this morning starting at 8am. The first division for the day was the Amateur-Owner 18-35 Hunters, where Caruso and Kelli Sherrill took the blue ribbon in the first...

Laura Chapot and Umberto glide effortlessly over a Liverpool in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Saugerties. (ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - Just five days after an exciting win in last week’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Laura Chapot found herself holding another blue ribbon thanks to an impressive victory in today’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson....

As the United States looks forward to the 2012 Paralympics for the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, the Para-Equestrian Driving Team will be preparing for the 2012 Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships, scheduled August 30-September 2, 2012 in Breda, The Netherlands. The 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Driving Team for the World Driving Championships include Diane Kastama, Grade 1, from Arroyo Grande, CA; Pam Johnson, Grade 2 from Pleasant Hill, MO; and Karen Gorham, Grade 2, of...

Christopher Payne and Dominus swept the Performance 3'3" Hunters on the second day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. (Ashley N. Williams) Lexington, KY - The quiet morning greeted professional riders at the Stonelea Arena for the second day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, where spectators gathered to watch as top hunter riders competed for the championship prizes. Prince navigated Ace of Spades to the Performance 3'6" Hunter Championship with three blues. Christopher Payne led the way...

Genevieve Zock won the 2012 USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - As the sun began to set on the Kentucky Horse Park, the final work-off of the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic got underway. The prestigious championship prize was only a test away from being revealed, and four riders were vying for the top honors. It came down to Meredith Darst, Lillie Keenan, Hasbrouck Donovan and Genevieve Zock as they completed the final...

Ken Berkley of Flemington, NJ, pictured aboard Ax-Cent, is leading the standings for the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc., at the halfway point of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Ken Berkley of Flemington, NJ, is currently leads the standings for the $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Awards, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc., at the halfway point of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset,...

The sixth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder When on a horse, I wear a riding helmet. My students wear riding helmets. I ride and show western and dressage. The helmet/hat quandary, style vs. safety, the tradition or common sense conversation is therefore a subject near and dear to my heart. On March 22, 2012, I went into the hay barn to get a bale of hay to feed lunch in the barn. To make a long story short, despite my usual care in tipping bales, as I turned to leave the...

Mary Jordan speaking to campers at USOC Olympic Day Photo courtesy Saco Parks & Recreation Department in Saco, Maine Saco, ME - As the London Olympics/Paralympics approach athletes have been promoting and creating awareness of this spectacular event. On June 29, 2012, the Official USA Olympic Day occurred where hundreds of Olympians and Paralympians participated around the country in interactive and informative public speaking events. Created by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC),...