The eleventh in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder If I go to a restaurant and order lemonade, I do not expect to receive a glass of ice water with a lemon wedge on the rim of the glass. When I am thinking about what western dressage is to me, I envision a discipline as fully flavored as that glass of lemonade. In fact, my vision for the future of western dressage as an independent and unique equestrian discipline may be more like strawberry lemonade! As a dressage instructor and...

Hi Lite and Madeline Schaefer Live the High Life, Taking Grand Pony Hunter Championship Lili Hymowitz and Rafael Pose for the Grand Pony Hunter Reserve Championship Photo Lexington, KY – It was the crowning of the champions today at the Kentucky Horse Park as the 2012 US Pony Finals and US National Pony Hunter Champions completed their fifth day of competition. It was the Large Pony Hunter Over Fences that dawned on the Walnut Arena early this morning, and Madeline Schaefer and Hi Lite...

Aaron Vale and Wodka L Photo by Carrie Wirth Zionsville, IN - Much-needed rain came to the Zionsville, IN, area on Thursday and added a few puddles and a few delays but did not detract from the festivities and competition at the 2012 Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair at picturesque Wild Air Farms in Zionsville, IN. Guests and exhibitors enjoyed live music on the grounds wafting from the annual Charity Garden Party. Course designer, Phil DeVita, built a technical track in...

Kelley Farmer: Ovation Leading Professional Hunter Rider. Traverse City, MI - Consistency was rewarded during the 2012 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival, and the coveted Ovation Leading Rider Awards were announced during the final week of competition at the scenic Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, Michigan. The Ovation Leading Rider Awards Program has been part of the Hunter/Jumper awards program since 2007, and the circuit awards are given to the high-point riders in each of...

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,...

Victoria Colvin and Inclusive lead USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals on day one of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The Kentucky Horse Park was filled with anticipation as the top Junior riders in the nation gathered for the first day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show to vie for the championship honors in the 2012 USEF East Coast Junior Hunter Finals. The entire year of competition has led to this point in their Junior career, with some continuing their...

Lauren Barwick (CAN) and Off To Paris Champion High Point Rider at HDS CPEDI3* (Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall) Katy, TX - April 29, 2012 - The final day of the Houston Dressage Society (HDS) Spring Classic I & II CPEDI3* concluded with the Freestyle Test competition and presentation of the Para-Equestrian accolades. The HDS Spring Classic I & II CPEDI3* was sponsored by The COR Group and ran concurrently with the CDI3* and CDI1* sponsored by the North Texas Equestrian Center. Over three...

Mario Deslauriers stood proud and center on the winner's podium as Molly Ashe-Cawley was presented with the silver medal, and Beezie Madden took home the bronze. The three provided the only double-clear efforts of the night, taking the top spots on the leaderboard. (V.Valenti/The Book LLC) Tampa, FL - It was a night of nail-biting excitement as 32 of the nation's top riders went head-to-head in the 2012 $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational presented by G & C Farm at Raymond James...

Some tips from Equestrian Interior Designer Mary Cox Whether you live in a small apartment or a large spacious home you can bring your love of horses home, without bringing your horse home too. For most of us our home is our sanctuary – a place to retreat from life’s stress and re-charge our batteries. A thoughtfully planned interior creates feelings that re-energize us while a poorly planned interior can have us feeling frustrated and stressed. In riding, when there is harmony...

Lexington, KY - It was an incredible night of competition at the Alltech National Horse Show, 128th Edition, as 14 of 35 e ntries qualified for the jump-off during the $75,000 Double H Farm International Open Jumper class. There was one quick round after another, but at the end of the night it was McLain Ward and Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farm of Oyster Bay, NY, who posted a double clear effort in 36.10 seconds and led the victory gallop. Pan American Individual and Team Gold Medalist...