The twenty third in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder I began this Western Dressage Blog specifically as a blog for NAWD to help raise public awareness about WD groups other than WDAA. I saw a need for publicity specific to that organization. I also saw a need for a forum that presented the reality that other organizations with different missions and goals regarding WD existed. USEF has not licensed Western Dressage as an independent discipline so at this time there is no officially...

Lexington, KY - President Lee Vulgaris announced this week that the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) has officially named Sally Walker as its new Executive Director. The association president stated that Walker was chosen to serve as the organization’s Director from over 70 candidates elicited through a nationwide search. Walker comes to PFHA with extensive leadership experience in the nonprofit, corporate, and private business worlds. She is also a lifelong horsewoman. Most recently,...

Saer Coulter posted the first clear round aboard her mare Julie Des Brumes (Blenheim Equisports) Las Vegas, NV - November 16, 2012 - Three nights of intense competition kicked off this evening at the South Point Equestrian Arena in Las Vegas. Local equestrian fans and spectators filled the stands for Barn Night during the opening ceremonies of the $32,000 Markel Insurance Jumper Classic, and the end result left no disappointment. A deep international field of fifty-six horse and rider...

Del Mar, CA - Congratulations Rusty Stewart and Bristol for their flawless performance in today's $50,000 Showpark World Cup Grand Prix, presented by EQU Lifestyle Magazine. Stewart guided Bristol to the only double clear round of the day over the large track set by Michel Vaillancourt (CAN). It was an FEI regulated course at it's finest with large spreads and tall verticals with an objective to shave down the field. Many pairs fell victim to the multiple combinations, while a select...

Walking up the steps from the mixed zone to the athlete seating takes 20 seconds. I have done it 29 times, after each ride. 29 times without a medal. Each time - the climb becomes more painful. We are trying, we are working, we are willing - we just aren’t winning. It is immensely frustrating. Our horses look great, our riders are well-coached, you can feel and hear their frustration when they make mistakes. My heart breaks for them when they don’t make mistakes and their best still...

Makhnificent KA For thirty years Kehilan Arabians, owned and operated by the Rogers family and their associate Janice Bush, has produced a splendid and special Egyptian Arabian horse. In a show world where over 95% of all the American Egyptian Arabian horses bred and shown are heavily line-bred Nazeer, the Kehilan bloodline is much more focused on one of the original EAO outcrosses for Nazeer: Sameh. In the 1970’s the Sameh-bred horses that did show were superstars of the national show...

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the High Junior Jumper Championship during both weeks of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington, KY - The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows proved to be hugely successful for young rider Abigail McArdle of Barrington Hills, IL, who dominated the High Junior Jumper division with her eight-year-old mare Cosma 20. The unstoppable duo captured the division's championship award during the competition's two consecutive weeks, and also won...

Tampa, FL - The Tampa Equestrian Series began their two-week horse show this morning at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center with the Tampa Bay Classic, bringing in many of the top jumper riders to vie for the coveted championship honors. The competition was intense as competitors raced against the clock beneath the shade of the Covered Arena, attempting to prove themselves in the 1.30m Open Jumper class, but it was Leslie Howard aboard Goed Zo who posted a target time that proved resilient. The...

Steffen Peters and Ravel Sunday at CHIO Aachen (Photo: Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com). Aachen, Germany – Team USA wrapped up the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany with more strong performances, including a second place finish for Steffen Peters and Ravel in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO and a win for show jumper McLain Ward on Rothchild. Peters and Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazki and Four Winds Farm, stepped up their game today and gave the best dressage horse in the...

Oklahoma City, OK – The second section of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Non Pro Derby took over the Oklahoma State Fair Coliseum Arena on Wednesday, June 29. The non pro competition was stout with 167 horses and riders vying for their share of $87,500 in added money. Yesterday Jessica Sternberg of the United Kingdom and Smart Like Valentino (Smart Like Juice x Smart Little Jewel) made their presence known with a tremendous performance for a score of 221.5. Their lead...