Todd Minikus and Quality Girl jumping their way to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Saugerties (ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY - Todd Minikus and his own Quality Girl proved that speed is what they do best on Friday at HITS Saugerties. Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida and his 10-year-old Oldenburg mare by Quidam's Rubin x Dobrock rode to the blue in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, against a field of 24 horses. Going second in a six...

Kelsey Thatcher and Balougris SL Z slice the second fence in the jump-off round (Phelps Media Group) Parker, CO - Show jumping returned to the Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix Arena at Summer in the Rockies VI at the Colorado Horse Park. Highlights of the day included the $2,500 1.30m Open Jumpers and the $2,500 1.40m Open Jumpers. In the 1.30m Open Jumpers, seven of the 13 horse and rider combinations that took on international course designer Danny Foster's course progressed to the...

Caitlin Boyle and Finders Keepers (Phelps Media Group) Parker, CO - Emma Willsky and Simply Said scored a hat trick in the Large Junior Hunters and Caitlin Boyle and Finders Keepers collected two wins in the Small Junior Hunters as the Junior Hunter divisions got underway at Summer in the Rockies VI. Boyle and Finders Keepers demonstrated how far their partnership has come, cruising through relaxed, confident rounds that showcased the horse's flashy jumping style. Boyle has had Finders...

Note to self: The Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared” applies to many things. When teaching a WD clinic be prepared for anything! This week’s blog comes from Vancouver Washington on the Columbia River where the “Discover Western Dressage” clinic is being held as a fundraiser for Silver Buckle Ranch. The Buckle is a non-profit youth ranch that houses Clark County’s disabled riding program. It is a pleasure to be here and to know that the clinic proceeds will be used...

Welcome to a different kind of blog from WDAA. The purpose of this post is to allow the reader "into the heads" of both a trainer/judge/competitor, Karen Abbattista and her student, Deborah Herbert, a Florida WDAA member. We would like to share with you some moments in Deb's journey as she pursues her riding goals with her AQHA mare "GenuineArcticSpring", barn name "Belle". Please enjoy as you follow along with these posts that we consider interesting or challenging moments on her journey...

Kenya and Caitlyn Shiels topped the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Walgreens (Tricia Booker Photography) Traverse City, MI - July 15, 2013 - Caitlyn Shiels gave Kenya a pep talk before heading to the R.L. Polk Family Main Hunter Ring for the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Walgreens. After collecting a bountiful array of ribbons during Horse Shows by the Bay Series II, Kenya had one more important outing on Sunday afternoon, July 14. "I told him, 'Today is...

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Eternal (Carrie Wirth/Mary Adelaide Brakenridge Phelps Media Group) Parker, CO - Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima built what appeared to be a straightforward course for the $40,000 Holiday Inn of Parker Grand Prix for Summer in the Rockies V, considered the peak week of the summer series at the Colorado Horse Park. But the course was tougher than appearances let on. "I decided to do a more technical course than a really big course, which meant they had...

Victoria Colvin on Inclusive (The Book, LLC) Lake Placid, NY - Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL rode Betsee Parker's Inclusive to the win in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Presented by Eastern Hay & Purina Animal Nutrition at the 36th annual I Love New York Horse Show, Presented by Sea Shore Stables, LLC. This marks the second straight year that Colvin and Inclusive have taken the title. Colvin and Inclusive dominated the competition, winning both the first round with a...

Jonathan Asselin and Showgirl (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, Alberta – The 'North American' Tournament finished today with two fantastic competitions in the International Ring. The highlight of the day was the $140,000 Cenovus Energy Classic Derby 1.60m, and Olympian Jonathan Asselin recorded a victory for Canada as the winner with Showgirl. In the $50,000 Akita Drilling Cup 1.50m, McLain Ward (USA) rode to victory with Cadence. The Spruce Meadows Summer Tournaments...

Reed Kessler and Wolf S (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, Alberta - The 'North American' Tournament continued today, and it was Reed Kessler (USA) and Wolf S who took the highlight victory of the day in the $50,000 Lafarge Cup 1.50m over Lauren Tisbo (USA) with Catharina 9. Frances Land (USA) and Vieanne were very fast to win the $33,000 Pepsi Challenge 1.45m as the first ones in the jump-off. The 'North American' Tournament continues through Sunday, July 7, and features...