Laura Linback and Whittaker MVNZ on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer (ESI Photography). Culpeper, VA --- Laura Linback of Mundelin, IL, and Woodrun's Whittaker MVNZ, whom they call "Fred" in the barn, had an amazing week at HITS Culpeper. Last Friday, they captured the win in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix and successfully followed up with a big win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida was...

USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship Wayne, Ill. - Heather Blitz and Praestemarkens Quatero won the FEI Prix St. Georges Test with a score of 72.853% to kick off the first day of competition at the 2018 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. Blitz and (Wellington, Fla.) and her nine-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding performed a lovely test to take the early lead in the USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. Jennifer Baumert (Wellington, Fla.) and Handsome, Betsy...

Roosendaal, The Netherlands – Steffen Peters wrapped up a fantastic three days of competition at CDI4* Roosendaal on Sunday. He and Rosamunde placed third in the Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 77.250% to end to the competition on a high note. The maturing combination had incredible rhythm and energy, executing graceful half-passes and pirouettes, in their relatively new Freestlyle. Peters was joined by U.S. compatriots Laura Graves and Guenter Seidel during CDI4* Roosendaal as the...

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Boyd Martin has been awarded a Land Rover Grant to compete at the Luhmuhlen CCI4* in Luhmuhlen, Germany, June 12-15, 2014. Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) will ride the Shamwari 4 Syndicate LLC’s Shamwari 4. Shamwari 4 is a 2002 Hanoverian gelding. Martin, the winner of the 2003 Adelaide CCI4*, relocated to the U.S. in 2007 from his native Australia and in 2009 began riding under the American flag....

Mae Chase-Dunn (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Endurance Athletes Association) Lexington, Kentucky - The U.S. was represented well at the Pan American Endurance Championship in Trinidad, Uruguay. On September 27, Mae Chase-Dunn tackled the 120km race in the Senior division while McCamey Kimbler and Mallory Capps contested the Young Riders/Juniors division under the guidance of Chef d'Equipe Emmett Ross. "Since the U.S. was unable to field a full team for either division, the riders competed as...

Well fall is under way and I am trying to clear a little writer’s block. The last shows of the year are winding down. We are headed for the last ones in our area the last two weekends of the month. Fall is time to evaluate progress and prepare for next season. Some of us set goals for training, some for clinics, some for next year’s show season. We look at our feeding programs, exercise programs, breeding programs and whatever else we are running. I always find myself thinking ahead...

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...

Blaine Mangione takes a break from the jumper ring to win the $1,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby (Bella Nova Pictures) Versatility was the name of the game as riders transitioned between the equitation, hunter, and jumper rings at Gold Coast 5 (July 19-21). Young professional Blaine Mangione, usually seen in the jumper arena, proved she could win the blue ribbon in $1,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby as well. “I was really shocked! I’m usually in the middle of the pack so I honestly...

Western Dressage clinics are rolling all over the nation. Here in the Pacific Northwest one clinic series has been endorsed by our USDF Region 6 Director, Donna Longacre. Her lifetime of experience in the dressage world combined with her judging experience in both dressage and western disciplines makes her uniquely qualified to comment on Western Dressage training and judging. I am so excited to have created a clinic series that carries such an endorsement as I continue to try to present...

This weeks blog comes to you from beautiful British Columbia Canada. I try to bring you news and fun stuff no matter where I am in the world. I have a perfect opportunity to share a Western Dressage story from a reader that has a Canadian link and I think you will enjoy it. Remember, if you would like to share your story, send it to me via email at [email protected]. When the perfect moment comes, I will share your story too! Dear Ms. Binder, In the USEF Weekly Newsletter for...