The ninth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Western Dressage is a new and growing discipline in the horse world. People are talking about it everywhere. At North American Western Dressage we answer questions every day about what it is, how you do it, what you wear, what your horse wears, bits, reins, helmets, levels of tests and competition, movements and how you do them and a myriad of other things. Answering these questions could be a full time job for any one of our...

Center Field Takes Center Stage In Medal Final, Emerging Victorious With Lucy Deslauriers Daisy Farish captured the Silver Medal Lexington, KY- The Alltech Arena was alive with action as the morning fog began to settle over the Kentucky Horse Park. It was the conclusion of the US Pony Hunter Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vansand the EquiSport Insurance/US Pony Medal Finals that brought the 2012 US Pony Lucy Deslauriers won the Gold Medal at the 2012 EquiSport Insurance/US Pony Medal...

Keely Laughlin and Larger Than Life set a blazing fast time during the US National Pony Jumper Championships at the 2012 US Pony Finals. The pair was named champion, and were awarded the gold medal for their outstanding efforts. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - There was a sense of electricity as the wrap up of the US National Pony Jumper Championship got underway at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park with the Individual Competition Finals. Riders from around the country spent...

Madeline Schaefer Leads the Ranks With Hi Lite Going Into Tomorrow’s Overall Grand Pony Hunter Championship Lili Hymowitz and Rafael claimed Overall Small Pony Hunter Reserve Championship Lexington, KY –The rain had dissipated, and a cool brisk day greeted young riders and their ponies for the fourth day of the 2012 US Pony Finals and US National Pony Hunter Championships presented by Sallee Horse Vans. The Large Pony Hunters took center stage in the Walnut ring early in the...

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...

Devin Ryan and Roman Saluut won the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix on Saturday, July 28, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Devin Ryan of Long Valley, NJ, scored his second consecutive grand prix victory at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival by winning the $30,000 Mount Equinox Grand Prix, sponsored by Hand Motors, on Saturday, July 28. The six-week Vermont Summer Festival, held at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT,...

Chloe Reid and Damascus won the High Junior Jumpers at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - Today marked the third day of the Kentucky Summer Horse Show, and it seemed as though the competition was only beginning to escalate as the amateur and junior jumper riders showcased their skills in the Rolex Stadium. Topping the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Paige Johnson piloted La Martinee to a double-clear victory, and also claimed third with her second mount Monopoly....

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...

Lieutenant Governor Col. The Honourable Donald S. Ethell, John Ell, president ATCO Power, General Walt Natynczyk, presenting the Queen Elizabeth II Cup trophy to Beezie Madden. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB - The sun and the stars and stripes were shining, and 38,110 people came out to Spruce Meadows to enjoy International-level sport and a celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee with the ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup, on the Saturday of the 2012 Spruce Meadows...

Louise Serio and Corvine won the $5,000 Get Real Get RAW USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Devon, PA - For the second time this year, Louise Serio piloted the five-year-old gelding Corvine to a National Hunter Derby victory. During their first derby at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, Serio and Corvine held the leading score from start to finish, and during the Brandywine Valley Summer Series' $5,000 Get Real Get RAW USHJA National Hunter...