Paris, France – Two U.S. vaulters had stellar performances against some of the world’s top vaulters at the Master International de Voltige CVI2*W at the Salon du Cheval in Paris, France December 7-8. Alicen Divita (Redwood City, CA) finished in second place in the Individual Women’s Senior division. Vaulting on Pino del Rio lunged by Elke Schelp, Divita received on overall score of 7.889. In the Individual Men’s Senior division, Gabe Aniello (Redwood City, CA) took third...

This is a truly thrilling time to be a part of Western Dressage and the Western Dressage Association® of America! I recently had the opportunity to chat with Cliff Swanson, who has been instrumental in many facets of the program, including authoring and editing the new tests, working with the Rules Committee, developing the Train The Trainers™ Program and conducting a wonderful series of Skill Set Clinics. Cliff also sits on the Advisory Board for the WDAA. According to Cliff,...

Connor Husain is the recipient of the 2012 Amanda Warrington Grant from the USET Foundation. (Shannon Brinkman) Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded the 2012 Amanda Warrington Grant to Eventing rider Connor Husain of The Plains, VA, the first male rider to win this prestigious grant. The Amanda Warrington Grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund. Earlier this year, Husain won the North American...

The U.S. Five-Gaited Section Gold medalists (R. Millin) Parys, South Africa - On Saturday, December 8, the Saddle Seat World Cup sponsored by Impondo Mining and Live 2 Learn concluded with second round performances from the Three-Gaited sections of the Saddle Seat World Cup teams. After a stellar presentation of rail work, the U.S. Three-Gaited team set the stage for leading pattern work scores in both groups. With strong performances all week, hopes were high that both the U.S. Three- and...

Molly Ashe and Kennzo (© ManciniPhotos) Wellington, FL - Kristen Abbatiello-Neff's Kennzo and Molly Ashe jumped their way to victory in two rounds of competition in the $20,000 Holiday and Horses USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Dietrich Insurance, on Sunday, December 2, 2012. Concluding the week-long competition, the class was held in the spacious International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center with a beautifully designed course set by Skip Bailey, of...

Katie Dinan and Nougat du Vallet (© ManciniPhotos) Wellington, FL - Nineteen-year-old Katie Dinan (USA) and Grant Road Partners' Nougat Du Vallet earned an exciting victory in Saturday night's $50,000 Holiday and Horses FEI World Cup Grand Prix at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL. American riders took top four honors in the eleven horse jump-off. Dinan beat Todd Minikus and Macoemba and Margie Engle and Royce, who finished second and third...

Isabelle Terry receives her awards from Show Jumping Hall of Fame Executive Director Marty Bauman. (McCool Photgraphy) Lexington, KY - Isabelle Terry of Dallas, TX and Chakira won the inaugural Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series West Coast Championship, held at the Las Vegas National Horse Show on November 17. Prior to the Championship Final in Las Vegas, the 2012 West Conference regular season came to a close following the L.A. National Horse Show. Lauren Kay and Siendifie topped...

Hunter Chancellor, winner of the 2012 USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final, riding Imagine My Surprise. (Howard Schatzberg) Kansas City, MO - In an extremely competitive USEF Saddle Seat Medal Final at the United Professional Horsemen's Association (UPHA) American Royal National Championship, Hunter Chancellor (Evansville, IN) demonstrated precise equitation skills in her rail and pattern work on Steven Chancellor's Imagine My Surprise to take the Championship title. After earning Reserve...

The twenty first in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder As this blog has progressed, I have tried to bring awareness about Western Dressage to the equestrian community at large. Now I am going to encourage you to do some research on your own. By now you know that there are several organizations promoting the development of the sport. At this point the question we hear most often from people all over is: “What is the difference?” To some it seems that the differences that...

Las Vegas, NV - The $50,000 Fisker Automotive World Cup Grand Prix was the pinnacle of the Las Vegas National beginning with a fiery opening ceremony act. Welcoming the local crowds, fans and competitors was a one-of-a-kind fire infused performance that set the stage for some hot competition. Thirty-five rounds of international talent prepared to take on German course designer, Olaf Petersen Jr.'s World Cup Qualifying test. From an early stage it looked as if the young stars were taking...