The fifth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Last week I poked a little fun at what western dressage riders are wearing for both schooling and show. This week I want to bring you the reality of the situation from manufacturers who give us the products that will ultimately be seen in rings around the country. Last week I showed you the proposed North American Western Dressage rules for WD show attire. Since the requirements state that riders must wear a long-sleeved shirt with...

Office Managing Partner, PWC, presenting the winners trophy to McLain Ward. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB - It was anybody’s game in the International Ring at Spruce Meadows today, with a rookie and veteran taking home first place ribbons during day two of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘North American’ ring. It was a first for Nayel Nassar (EGY), who beat out veterans like Beezie Madden (USA) and McLain Ward (USA) to take home the 1.50 meter Progress Energy Cup. The...

The fourth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Every day I head out to the barn to work. Like other trainers, I work outside in temperatures from 0 to 100 7 days a week, almost 365 days a year, from dawn till dark and sometimes longer. As a professional trainer and riding instructor I am called on to muck stalls, fix fence, buck hay, dump grain, rake footing, fill water buckets, sweep the aisle, clean tack, change bandages, medicate, lead beginners, longe riders, heft children...

Calgary, AB - The 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘National’ tournament concludes on a blustery, but very exciting day. 26,492 spectators braved the wind to cheer on their favourite competitors in the $40,000 ATCO Structures and Logistics Double Slalom. In a sudden-death style competition, 32 horse/rider combinations raced against each other until a final two remained. Robert Whitaker (GBR) emerged victorious, winning each of his five rounds aboard his 9 year old Warmblood gelding, Waterstone....

Angela Covert-Lawrence of St. Lazare, QC, riding Utan won the $25,000 Eastwood Equine Grand Prix of St. Lazare on Saturday, May 28, at the 2011 Pépinière and St. Lazare Horse Shows (Cealy Tetley) St. Lazare, Quebec – Angela Covert-Lawrence of St. Lazare, QC, scored victory on home turf, winning the $25,000 Eastwood Equine Grand Prix held Saturday, May 26, during the 38th annual Pépinière and St. Lazare Horse Shows in St. Lazare, QC. The win marked the third victory in the...

Kent Farrington and Venus won the $20,000 Bluegrass Classic at the Kentucky Spring Classic. (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington, KY - Kent Farrington concluded the Kentucky Spring Classic on a great note, claiming first and second during this morning's $20,000 Bluegrass Classic aboard Venus and Voyeur, respectively. With a baker's dozen in the jump-off, Farrington completed the fastest two double-clear efforts with the talented mounts. Young rider Michael Murphy earned the third place award...

Reed Kessler and Ligist won the 1.45m Open Jumper class at the Kentucky Spring Classic (Rebecca Walton/PMG). Lexington, KY - Sunny skies greeted the exhibitors as they kicked-off the Kentucky Spring Classic in the Rolex Stadium of the Kentucky Horse Park. Once again it was Reed Kessler at the top of the leader board as she piloted Ligist to the only double clear effort in today's 1.45m Open Jumper class to earn the blue ribbon prize. Earlier in the day, Andre Rodriguez and Remonta Eden sped...

North Salem, NY - Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward was back in the saddle and back in the winner’s circle as he rode Emma to win the 7 & 8 Year Old 1.40m Young Jumper class at the Old Salem Spring Horse Shows in North Salem, NY. Ward, Brewster, NY, returning to the horse show circuit for the first time since fracturing his kneecap in January, showed no ill effects from the long layoff that put him out of action for more than 3 months and caused him to miss the Olympic trials....

Allison Springer and Arthur (Photo by Shannon Brinkman) Lexington, KY - Derek di Grazia's 29 obstacle cross country course proved extremely influential Saturday at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone and caused a tremendous shake-up of the leaderboard. The top of the standings saw an exchange of first and second positions as William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk now lead the field while dressage leaders Allison Springer and Arthur sit in second. Fox-Pitt...

Below are audio clips from today's post-competition press conference at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone. Jonathan Paget Jonathan comments on what horses and riders will expect to see at Greenwich and what he learned about his horse, Clifton Promise, today. Jonathan shares his thougths on the cross country course. Allison Springer Allsion comments on her and Arthur's performance today. William Fox-Pitt William comments on his day with Parklande Hawk and...