Happy New Year everyone! I am glad to be here and since it is obvious that the Earth did not tip over on its axis turning our mountains into oceans and our oceans into mountains, I have to wonder what 2013 will bring to Western Dressage. Maybe the better question is “What will Western Dressage bring to the world?” Indeed it is an intriguing question when put this way. As our fledgling discipline begins to feather out, the directions in which western dressage may fly continue to...

As an interior designer and avid equestrian, I thought it would be fun to take a few simple tack items (items from the lists below), the ones that that all of us have too many of (come on….you know you do!) and come up with creative solutions to incorporate them into your Holiday Décor. The “I have way too many of these” List: Stirrup Leathers Braided Reins Stirrup Irons Bits Horse Ornaments Tray The From Your Kitchen List: Apple Cranberries Candles Glass vases The...

Mark Bluman and G&C Blue (© ManciniPhotos) Wellington, FL - Mark Bluman (COL) and Gustavo Mirabal's G&C Blue earned an exciting victory in Friday's $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic at Equestrian Sport Production's Holiday and Horses competition. With their first win in a ROLEX FEI World Ranking Class, the pair beat out Lauren Hough (USA) and Ohlala with a lightning fast round. G&C Sacramento, owned by Anabel Simon and ridden by Luis Larrazabal (VEN), finished third....

The eighteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder The latest addition to the Western Dressage information network is a new Facebook page dedicated exclusively to calendar events around the nation. The new page is called, appropriately, “Western Dressage Shows & Events” and is maintained by Vaquero Training Center in Connecticut. The page is designed to keep Western Dressage enthusiasts informed about what is going on all over the country. It is a brand new FB...

Boekelo, The Netherlands - They had some adverse conditions to deal with Saturday, but the members of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team were able to maintain their place in the standings after navigating a soggy cross country course at the Military Boekelo CCIO3*. Leading the Nations Cup team were Jennie Brannigan and Nina Gardner's Cambalda. The pair jumped clean over the course while adding 10 time faults and rising in the standings to 52nd overall. "It was quite muddy and heavy by the...

Abigail McArdle of the Zone 5 Team on Cosma 20. (Al Cook) Harrisburg, PA - The Zone 5 team captured the gold medal in the $15,000 Randolph College/USEF Prix de States Team Championship at the 67th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Friday evening. The team members were: Kalvin Dobbs of Tallahassee, FL riding Winde; Abigail McArdle of Barrington Hills, IL on Cosma 20; Lillie Ross of Wheaton, IL aboard Pako; and Catherine Tyree of Chicago, IL on Wetter. Following a modified Nation's...

Annie Finch and W.C. Swing. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Upper Marlboro, MD - Annie Finch of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and W.C. Swing, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Guidam, led the victory gallop for the second time this week in the ARIAT National Adult Medal Finals. Just five days ago, Finch won the North American Adult Amateur Equitation Finals. Finch beat 28 other riders in the competitive class by scoring 87.45 in the first round and an 85.4 in the second round for a total of 172.85. Elysse...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the new Dressage Rider Tests Program for the 2013 competition year. Designed and drafted by a joint working group from the USEF Dressage Committee and appointees from the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), these tests are available for use by riders at Training, First, and Seconds Levels. While neither these tests nor their subsequent scores are a requirement to progress through the levels, they are...

Los Angeles, CA - The 2012 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West kicked off at the Los Angeles International Jumping Festival at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center on September 20. The final consists of four phases: flat, gymnastics, jumping, and a work off. On Thursday, the thirty-three finalists competed in Phase 1 and were split into groups of five to six riders to compete on the flat. Riders were asked to demonstrate the usual flat movements, such as the counter...

Hunter Holloway wins the Region 5 ASPCA Maclay Regionals (CJM Photography) It was an exciting weekend for the top equitation riders as they competed in numerous ASPCA Maclay Regionals to vie for a spot in the coveted Finals at the Alltech National Horse Show. The competition was stiff as the top junior riders go head-to-head in a battle of the best and the chance to take it all. Hunter Holloway took the Region 5 title. Jeffrey Tolson was presented with the Region 6 Championship, while Sara...