Lexington, KY - The U.S. Dressage Team heads to the Hickstead CDIO3* with high expectations this week as they look to continue the momentum that has been building throughout the summer. Four talented riders; Shelly Francis, Arlene “Tuny” Page, Kathleen Raine and Guenter Seidel Shelly Francis and Doktor (SusanJStickle.com) compose the Nations Cup team, while David Blake will ride in Grand Prix competition as an individual. Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Francis will also ride...

As you know I occasionally receive a story from a Western Dressage rider and this week I would like to share with you the story behind a beautiful magazine cover photo that appeared recently in Paint Horse Journal and which featured coverage of Western Dressage. The photo was of Katrina Sanders and her Paint horse Pirate. Here is what Katrina shares with western dressage enthusiasts this week: “Thank you so much for offering to feature my photo in your blog! I am honored and so grateful...

Reining Young Rider Individual medalists: Jonathan Stepka (USA) - Bronze; Madison Steed (CAN) - Gold; Jamie Erickson (USA) - Silver (Waltenberry) Lexington, KY - The 2013 SmartPak Reining Championships concluded Saturday in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park with two high-scoring rounds of high-level reining. For the Young Riders, it was the scorching hot score of 219 from Canada’s Madison Steed to secure the Gold medal showing Jumpin Jac Trash (2007 AQHA Gelding). Steed, a...

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...

Emily Chapman, the winner of the 2013 USEF Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final, riding CH EQ One Night Stand (Howard Schatzberg) Lexington, KY – A sunny day at the historic Red Mile Race Track in Lexington, Kentucky provided the backdrop for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Saddle Seat Adult Amateur Medal Final, held during the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show. The judges made a unanimous decision to crown Emily Chapman the 2013 winner of the USEF Saddle Seat...

Show season keeps moving forward and the scores keep coming in. At the last WSH show, the high score rider, Linda Coates-Markle, received a whopping 76% on NAWD Level 3 Test 1 (that is the western equivalent of USDF First Level) riding her Quarter Horse mare. Once again, this last weekend, shows featuring Western Dressage classes were held all over the country and WD riders on both sides of the nation received the highest Phyllis Ray and Starr in the warm-up (Darcia Drapeau) scores recorded at...

Thanks to everyone who took the time to send emails to USEF and for sharing your thoughts and feelings about the direction Western Dressage should take. It is so important to hear and listen to different ideas from all directions as the discipline develops. At this point all there is to do is continue to ride and train and show, and most important, to have fun with our horses. With another show coming up this weekend for us, I have put a lot of thought into the questions the last show brought...

A couple weeks ago a friend and I attended a WSH Dressage Show halfway across the state to ride the NAWD tests. The weather was gorgeous, the drive uneventful, the horses well behaved. The show was at a beautiful facility, with a qualified judge I trust to evaluate our western dressage horses. My stallion was perfectly behaved even in the warm-up area with the little ponies and their tiny children. Sounds like a perfect horse show weekend huh? It was, but for one thing. I was confused! For the...

Sacramento, CA – Dressage athletes from around the country and close to home have arrived at Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta for four days of competition from June 13 to 16, including the Golden State CDI3* Y-J-U-25 – CPEDI3* and the Golden State Dressage Classic. National and international organizations recognizing this week’s competition are the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), United States Dressage Federation (USDF), California Dressage Society...

John Pearce and Chianto (Flying Horse Photography) Parker, CO - The Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix Arena was christened on the first week of the Colorado Horse Park's Summer in the Rockies in a ceremony during the $30,000 Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix. A field of 12 horse and rider combinations accepted the challenge of Hector Loyola's technical track, but it was Canadian John Pearce who expertly navigated the jump-off round, besting the rest with long-time partner...