The fourteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder The last several weeks I’ve talked about how to get started in western dressage. If you are curious, you’ve checked out the website, taken advantage of the free basic membership by becoming a member, read the rules, reviewed the tests, read the articles, participated in the Forum discussions, found WD groups on Facebook, visited YouTube and chatted with your friends about it. Maybe you’ve contacted your local...

Last year's Ariat National Adult Medal Finals winners, Kristi Siam and Krosus Upper Marlboro, MD – The 2012 Capital Challenge Horse Show, presented by The Gochman Family, looks forward to once again welcoming Ariat International, Inc. and the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals during this year’s competition. Held at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, the show will begin with its Equitation Weekend presented by BigEq.com on September 29-30 and will continue...

Paige Johnson and Chiron S won the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix Victory at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - t was the final day of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show, and the excitement was high as the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix got underway in the Rolex Stadium. It was a bittersweet finale to the fourth week of the Kentucky Summer Series, with 41 entrants competing for the top prize. Paige Johnson and Chiron S were one of only four to...

Taylor Land and Nepal. (Sue Weakley) Zionsville, IN - The final day of the competition continued today at the 2012 Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair. Once again, perfect weather drew in a large audience from the Indianapolis area for an exciting day of show jumping at Wild Air Farms in Zionsville, IN. Veteran course designer and judge, Phil DeVita, produced a challenging course for the competitors for the highlight of Traders Point, the $60,000 Grand Prix of Indianapolis....

Peter Leone and Tuvalu (Tammy Hardy Photography.) Hampton Falls, NH – Speed was the word of the day at The Jumper Classic®, presented by Fidelity Investments® and Audi of America. In the $3,500 DG Ventures Speed Derby, Olympian Peter Leone piloted Tuvalu, owned by Alison Finger, to the fastest clear round for victory. Located in the beautiful town of Hampton Falls, NH, The Jumper Classic is New England’s premier equestrian event. This elite level competition attracts the...

Richard Rinehart and Julio Zionsville, IN - August 7, 2012 - The 2012 Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair got underway today at beautiful Wild Air Farm in Zionsville, IN. The popular, festive show is located on a spectacular backdrop nestled amid Indiana hills and woods. The Jumper classes in the Russell Fortune Grand Prix Arena got underway with challenging courses designed by Steve Stephens, which tested horses and riders strength, going from long gallops to tight turns and...

Christian Heineking and NKH Selena dashed to the top of the leaderboard in the 1.40m Open Jumper speed class at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The first day of the Kentucky Summer Classic was filled with exciting jumper action in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. This afternoon, competitors had the opportunity to showcase their speed in the 1.40m Open Jumpers and show off their talents navigating the 1.35 Open Jumpers. Christian Heineking led the...

Katie Tyler and Seattle 6 won the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 29, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Week four of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival concluded on Sunday, July 29, with two exciting Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classics featured in the grand prix ring. Katie Tyler, 19, of North Kingstown, RI, rode Seattle 6 to victory in the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner...

Aaron Vale and Tibor won the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix with a blazing speed, defeating Pablo Barrios for the winning title. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington KY - The Rolex Stadium was alive with excitement as 34 entrants competed in the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. It turned into a nail-biter as five competitors progressed into the jump-off with a clear first round effort. Trailblazer Pablo Barrios aboard Zara Leandra was the first to post a...

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...