Rebecca Hart and Lord Ludger (SusanJStickle.com) Gladstone, NJ - The 2012 USEF National Para-Equestrian Championships held in conjunction with the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Paralympic Selection Trials came down to the slimmest of margins this afternoon as riders performed their Freestyle tests at the Pine Meadow location of the USET Foundation. Heading to the final test of the championships only a few marks separated the top three riders and the remaining 20% of the final score would be...

The first in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder My first pony ride was in 1967. I was 18 months old. It must have stuck with me because I rode horses forever after that. I have been a professional in the equestrian industry since 1989 and my parents have supported my horseback riding activities all my life. Recently, seeking that formerly ever present support, I shared with my mom my desire to get involved in Western Dressage. Imagine my surprise when she exclaimed “Western...

Heather Blitz and Paragon one of 15 to compete in the Grand Prix (Susan J. Stickle) Gladstone, NJ - Over the next two weeks a total of six USEF National Dressage Champions will be crowned, along with the U.S. Dressage Team taking a step closer to the London Olympic Games. The first week of the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions got underway Friday with the Veterinary Inspections and all 47 horses were deemed fit and sound to compete. Competitors in the Grand Prix, Young Rider, Junior...

It’s one of the usual reasons for getting involved with horses; Martha Suarez loved them dearly as a child and could not have a horse of her own. When she and her husband Charley moved to Florida in the 1980’s they chose a horse community called Plantation Acres and Martha was, at long last able to get a horse. Talk about your subtle beginnings. Ansata Suleyman72 In 1999 Martha Suarez attended her first Egyptian Event and thoroughly enjoyed herself. In 2002 she brought her Nabiel...

Devon, PA - A small but mighty field of show jumping horses lined up to tackle the penultimate USEF Observation Event for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games. Thirteen combinations from the USEF Show Jumping Long List headlined the field of 16 in the 2012 $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon. The Dixon Oval always proves a tremendous venue at the Devon Horse Show and with improvements made over the last few years, the storied Antares F and McLain Ward (AK Dragoo...

(Parker/Russel-The Book L.L.C.) Devon, PA - The A.S.P.C.A. Maclay Horsemanship Class began promptly at seven Friday morning despite drizzle and overcast skies. The course rode well with few stops, rails, or falls. Kelcie Brophy won Section A on the only paint in the class. Lauren Tyree, who was third in Section A of the USEF Talent Search class on Thursday, took second. Abigail Mc Ardle, third in Section B of the USEF Talent Search class, took third. Lillie Keenan, who was second in Section A...

Lillie Keenan on Monterray (Parker/Russell - The Book LLC) Devon, PA - The Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search began relatively on time, right on the heels of the WIHS Jumper Phase. Though the introduction of the open water for the USEF Talent Search found a few unprepared, the course rode well. Towards the end of Section A, during Geoffrey Hesslink's round it began to rain. He entered the ring dry and left it drenched. Following the deluge, the last few rounds led into the...

Lexington, KY - She is every little girl’s dream - the beautiful woman in the spotlight surrounded by a spellbinding herd of Arabian horses at liberty. Her name is Sylvia Zerbini, and she transforms liberty work into the ultimate equestrian performing art. “I’ve been with horses my entire life. It’s in my blood,” says Sylvia, a ninth generation performer who has captivated audiences throughout Europe, North America, and South America since her debut on stage at the...

U.S. Young Riders are Prepared for the 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour (USEF Archive) Lexington, KY - The 2012 Show Jumping European Young and Junior Rider Tour gets underway this week in Belgium. Five up-and-coming Young Riders and one Junior Rider from the U.S. will compete alongside some of the best rising talent in Europe at three prestigious competitions over the next month. The first stop on the 2012 tour is this weekend's CSIOYJ Bonheiden, which runs May 17-20....

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...