Last week I posted a virtual show entry video from an amazingly brave woman who continues to allow me to use her material for examples in this blog. Her courage and generosity inspire me and I hope that her open heart and willingness to be visible inspire you too. I hope that some of you readers are able to identify with her as a peer, a rider struggling to understand riding and training her stock horse and that you professionals at least respect her courage. Reaction to the video has been...

As a part of Cal Poly Pomona’s 75th Anniversary Celebration, the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center will be holding a weekend of festivities for friends, supporters and alumni. Plans have been set for this once-in-a-lifetime event that will be held on Saturday-Sunday, October 5-6, 2013 at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Planned events include a “Santa Maria Style” Dinner, dancing and entertainment on Saturday, October 5, 2013, including a “Roast and...

Lisa Miller driving Quakers, owned by Elle Weisfeld (Diane Kastama) Howell, NJ - United States Driving for the Disabled, (USDFD) hosted a successful free driving clinic at Celtic Charms Therapeutic Horsemanship in Howell, NJ on August 10-11, 2013. Sponsors for the Para-Equestrian Developing Driver Clinic included the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) and United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The Para-Driving clinic is held in conjunction with USDFD, USPEA, USEF, Celtic...

Shawn Casady Leads the 2013 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series. (Emily Riden/PMG) exington, KY - Shawn Casady has upheld his lead in the 2013 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby standings for several weeks, and a top three finish in last week's $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby further widened the gap between himslef and the second place position. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of seven national hunter derby events to be held during the 2013 show series...

The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that a grant has been awarded to Utah Dressage Society (UDS) from the Michael Poulin Dressage Fund. The Fund’s Selection Committee chose UDS, a Group Member Organization of the United States Dressage Federation, to receive a $2,310 grant for a young rider clinic to be held this fall. “The Junior/Young Riders are an active, enthusiastic, fast-growing part of the Utah Dressage Society who are great ambassadors for the organization and for...

Hickstead, England- The U.S. Dressage Team continued to show their resurgence on the international stage, cruising to a second place finish in FEI Nations Cup competition at the CDIO3* Hickstead. Sunday’s competition utilized a new format using the Freestyle to determine Nations Cup results rather than the traditional Grand Prix Test. Leading the U.S. was Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, CA) and Markel/ USEF Young Horse Dressage Program graduate Breanna. The combination who were awarded a USET...

July 31 through August 4 Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta California will be the site for the 2013 “Gold N Grand Cowboy Dressage Show.” The show sports 42 classes with competitive divisions for open, amateur and youth riders who will be riding walk/jog and walk/jog/lope and Cowboy Challenge tests. As of this writing, there were 165 rides scheduled in three days! Such a fabulous turnout for Cowboy Dressage in Northern California. Show official Michele Dodge will oversee 3...

Lexington, KY - The U.S. Dressage Team heads to the Hickstead CDIO3* with high expectations this week as they look to continue the momentum that has been building throughout the summer. Four talented riders; Shelly Francis, Arlene “Tuny” Page, Kathleen Raine and Guenter Seidel Shelly Francis and Doktor (SusanJStickle.com) compose the Nations Cup team, while David Blake will ride in Grand Prix competition as an individual. Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Francis will also ride...

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...

Lexington, KY - A group of five individuals have been invited by the USEF to participate in the inaugural tour of the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses. The 2013 Championship will take place in Verden, Germany on August 7-11, 2013. The tour will be led and organized by USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler and will include tickets to the young horse dressage events as well as meetings with European experts. The tour was open to anyone who has participated in the...