Sheri and Honky. Photo: AHA. One of the most popular spectator classes at any show, particularly a national one, is the native costume class. Horses and riders bedecked in colorful tasseled costumes with glittering accents canter and gallop about the ring in a spectacle reminiscent of their Bedouin ancestors charging over sand dunes. Successful competitors must not only have brilliant motion but manners, as they are required to walk quietly. Often competitors will cross-enter in another...

At the halfway point of the show, everyone has started to settle into a rhythm. Exhibitors have become accustomed to the routine of schooling horses, cheering for friends, competing in classes, and riding the emotional highs and lows of horse showing. Trainers are fine-tuning their coaching, subtly adjusting cues or comments to result in peak performance from horse and rider alike. The full panoply of emotions can be observed by watching the show from a unique perspective - the vantage point of...

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy sweep the over fences in the High Performance Hunters Division (Photo: Kendall Bierer/PMG). Lexington, KY - A light breeze rolled across the Kentucky Horse Park as the sun shone down welcoming the first day of the Blue Grass Festival Horse Show. Opening day in the Stonelea Ring marked the beginning of the First Year Green Working Hunter, Second Year Green Working Hunter, Green Conformation Hunter, Regular Conformation Hunter and High Performance Hunter Divisions....

If Sunday was about anticipation and preparation, Monday was a day characterized by enjoyment of the show atmosphere and execution of competition strategy in pursuit of the roses. Trainers on the rail offered last minute advice to their amateurs, while others reviewed their game plan for classes. Opportunities for optimal caffeination for peak performance were readily available. Shortly before the first class at 7.30, members of the Brandon city council, including the mayor, were on hand to...

Every journey begins with a single step. Although many shows reflect such journeys, this year's Canadian Nationals is particularly full of starting points, especially on the day before the show. Brandon is hosting Canadian Nationals for the first time; no stranger to hosting horse shows, Brandon is a charming city with a diverse feeling. Blocks of Victorian era houses, with their sun-kissed gabled roofs and bay windows, mingle with more modern apartment buildings in the downtown. On the...

Oklahoma City, OK – Members of the National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) are the future of the sport of Reining. With this in mind, the Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) has long been committed to providing leadership and scholarship opportunities to youth members. At this time the RHSF is awarding $10,500 in academic and need based scholarships for seven youth members. Youth members from the United States and Canada submitted applications for the RHSF Scholarships in 2011....

Gold medalist Young Rider Katherine Dinan. Photo: Sportfot. Lexington, KY - Young Rider Katherine Dinan piloted the 13-year-old New Zealand Thoroughbred-cross gelding, Vancouver, quickly and carefully around the Rolex Stadium on Sunday to finish with a score of 10.14 - and a Gold medal. It was the final day of jumping at the USHJA North American Junior and Young Rider Show Jumping Championship at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham...

Lexington, KY - The clouds loomed over the Kentucky Horse Park threatening rain throughout the morning and following through on the threat late in the afternoon. Many of the riders from the Junior Hunter divisions continued riding in the downpour; however, moods were not dampened from the rain as the championship and reserved championship awards were announced. The best horse and rider combinations competed for top honors in their respective honors in the Stonelea Ring at the Kentucky Summer...

CCI** leader Devon Brown. Brant Gamma Photography Lexington, KY - After dressage in the CCI**, Area III's Devon Brown and Dynamic Image sat atop the leaderboard - and Brown refused to relinquish her lead Saturday at the USEA North American Junior and Young Rider Eventing Championship at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North. Brown piloted Donna Miller's flashy grey Irish Sport Horse gelding through the cross-country course...

Will Letner wins Gold. Photo: Waltenberry Lexington, KY - Will Letner knew the bar was set high when fellow U.S. rider Laura Sumrall went out first into the Alltech Arena on Saturday - and came out with an impressive score of 217.5. Sumrall pumped her fists in the air, shouting, "Yes, yes!" at her first SmartPak Individual Reining Championships at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North. Letner's thought: "Well, where do I go from...