The Western Dressage Association® of America (WDAA) has designed Western Dressage Rules to be utilized across various breeds that are either affiliated with or operate independently of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Bitting requirements differ across the breed shows and events that host more than just Western Dressage. In order to design a universally inclusive discipline across all breeds and encourage equestrians to explore Western Dressage; WDAA felt obliged to respect...

Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representatives Joe Pitts (R-PA), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) have introduced the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2013 to regulate/prohibit substances, methods and treatments that may be used in racing. The legislation is not the same as the bill they introduced in the last Congress. The bill calls for a new "independent anti-doping organization" to be responsible for "ensuring the integrity of horseraces that are the...

Note to Self: 1. Prepare classical instructor that you will be appearing before him in western tack and riding an Appaloosa stallion, NOT your third level Westfalen import and 2. Don’t ride in a clinic without a photographer A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…. I got a book from the library called The Schooling of the Western Horse by John Richard Young. It was published in 1945 (practically the dark ages) and outlined progressive training for western horses. Critically...

North Salem, NY – The Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows will be awarding almost a half million dollars in prize money this year at their two-week event on May 7-12 and 14-19, 2013. This great opportunity for hunters, jumpers, and equitation riders is thanks to many generous sponsors that help make the shows one of the best in North America. A Top 25 Rated Event by the North American Riders Group, the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows will welcome some of the country's best horses and...

Lexington, KY - The third Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Training Session of 2013 wrapped up Sunday at Rosebrook Farm in Georgetown, Massachusetts. The two-day clinic featured 13 horses between the ages of four and six and was once again taught by USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler. “It was nice to visit the New England area a second time for a Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Training Session. Participation from the auditors, owners, breeders and trainers who attended was...

The U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team (Laura Elcock) Fulton, MO - The U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team swept the competition at the U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational over the weekend against international teams from South Africa and Canada. The three teams met for the competition at William Woods University, and the U.S. young riders were excellent during the two days of Three- and Five-gaited competition. After the first day of competition, the U.S. team led South Africa and Canada in...

Auburn, AL – No. 6 South Carolina captured the first-ever Southeastern Conference Equestrian Championship, defeating No. 2 Auburn, 10-8, on Saturday at the Auburn University Horse Center. The Gamecocks (8-6), the event’s No. 2 seed, defeated the top-seeded Tigers (11-3) 6-4 in hunter seat and tied 4-4 in western. South Carolina advanced to the championship round following a 10-7 win against third-seeded Georgia on Friday. Saturday’s SEC Equestrian Championship marked the first...

Auburn, AL – The inaugural Southeastern Conference equestrian championship will take place Friday-Saturday, March 29-30 at the Auburn University Horse Center in Auburn, Ala. Admission to the two-day event is free and open to the public. The four equestrian programs of the SEC all are ranked among the nation’s top eight, according to the latest coaches poll of the National Collegiate Equestrian Association. Georgia is the nation’s top-ranked team, while host Auburn checks in at...

Quentin, PA - The St. Christopher’s Horse Show, which returns to Pennsylvania’s scenic Lebanon Valley region at the historic Quentin Riding Club in Quentin, PA, May 8-12, has posted its prize list online . The prize list gives information on the many classes available to riders as well as additional information. The prize list details the tentative time schedule, lists the show’s officials and lays out the prizes and entry fees for each class. “We hope that everyone will...

I have been promising to update readers on current trends in the Western Dressage world. One way of keeping track of what WD is doing, where it is going and who is doing it is to track events. NAWD, CD and WDAA all maintain calendars of clinics and shows around the country. By analyzing those calendars we have a simple method of tracking what is happening. The information is limited by the fact that show and clinic organizers must report their event to the organization for inclusion on these...