The eighteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder The latest addition to the Western Dressage information network is a new Facebook page dedicated exclusively to calendar events around the nation. The new page is called, appropriately, “Western Dressage Shows & Events” and is maintained by Vaquero Training Center in Connecticut. The page is designed to keep Western Dressage enthusiasts informed about what is going on all over the country. It is a brand new FB...

Samantha Harrison was crowned the winner of the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West (Flying Horse Photography) Los Angeles, CA - After three days and numerous tests, Samantha Harrison (La Canada, CA) found herself leading the victory gallop of the 2012 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West. The win was made even more sweet for the Oklahoma State University junior and member of the NCEA Equestrian team. "Winning means so much to me because...

Lexington, Ky - The second edition of the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, KY, is set for October 30 through November 4, 2012. The show will once again be held at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. In addition to world-class show jumping and the country's best and most competitive hunter divisions, the show will also feature one of the nation's longest running and most coveted national championships, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty...

Leslie Howard and Lennox Lewis 2 Win $15,000 Equine Insurance Speed Stake Presented by Great American Insurance Group Candice King and Kismet 50 (Tammy Hardy Photography) Hampton Falls, NH – More than 5,000 spectators came to watch the final day of The Jumper Classic®, presented by Fidelity Investments® and Audi of America. Held at the Silver Oak Equestrian Center, The Jumper Classic had their two final highlight classes of the week. In the $75,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix,...

The seventh in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Before we learn to read we must learn the ABC’s. William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle (1593-1676) suggested an analogy between the education of a child and horse trainers who made unrealistic demands on young horses. Centuries ago he asked, ‘I would fain ask such stupid people, whether, by beating a boy, they could teach him to read, without first showing him his alphabet?’1 Systematic progressive training is not...

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...

From left to fight: Craig Collins, Equestrian Management Group; MPP Sylvia Jones (Dufferin-Caledon); Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan American Games; Ian Troop, Chief Executive Officer for TO2015; Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport); MP David Tilson (Dufferin-Caledon); Regional Councillor Richard Whitehead of Town of Caledon; and Mike Gallagher, President of Equine Canada (ShootPhoto.ca) Palgrave, Ontario - Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, Ontario, was the...

Fairfield, CT - Never before in its 39-year history had an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association hunter seat team coach won two IHSA National Championships for two different colleges or universities. But that was before Mary Drueding. Drueding, already selected by the IHSA nominating committee to receive its Lifetime Achievement Award, demonstrated an irrefutable argument in defense of her coaching excellence and expertise as her St. Lawrence University Saints hunter seat team clinched the...

Donna Ponessa (USA) Grade Ia and Silvano (Photo by Lindsay Y McCall) Katy, TX - April 27, 2012- Friday's Para-Equestrian Dressage competition at the Houston Dress Society (HDS) Spring Classic I & II CPEDI3* included the Team Test competition. Each horse and rider combination put forward their best technical execution of their respective test in Grade Ia, Ib, II, III and IV. Friday's FEI Ground Jury included Kathy Amos-Jacob (FRA), David Schmutz (USA), and Carlos Lopes (POR). For the...

Traverse City, MI - Horse Sports by the Bay, Inc., is excited to announce an increase in prize money for the High and Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classics during Series II and Series III of the 2012 Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival. Thanks to additional sponsor support, each classic will now include an increased purse of $12,000 and $7,500, respectively, offering riders an even greater opportunity to earn fabulous prize money and points toward year-end awards. Additional money has...