The twenty first in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder As this blog has progressed, I have tried to bring awareness about Western Dressage to the equestrian community at large. Now I am going to encourage you to do some research on your own. By now you know that there are several organizations promoting the development of the sport. At this point the question we hear most often from people all over is: “What is the difference?” To some it seems that the differences that...

The twenty first in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder It was an exciting weekend for western dressage in the Pacific Northwest November 2-4. On Friday the Washington State Horsemen (WSH) voted to add Western Dressage as a new discipline on the roster of events offered by the organization statewide. WD has been added as a sub-category of dressage and will utilize NAWD Official Rules and Tests for the 2013 show season so WD classes may now be added to any WSH approved Dressage show...

Lexington, KY - Another evening of electrifying American Saddlebred competition continued Friday. A cheering audience enjoyed the $3,000 Three Gaited Championship Stake, the $1,500 Fine Harness Open Championship the $3,000 Five Gaited Championship Stake and the very first Roadster class of the show, the $25,000 Equine Services Roadster Cup. The Roadster classes are a throwback to the origins of the American Saddlebred breed. The American Saddlebreds were developed from pacing Standardbreds, the...

Temecula, CA — A decorated field of riders and horses will be vying for the top prizes at the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event Nov. 1-4, with three Olympians competing in the CCI3*, as well as the 2011 defending champion and a Pan Am games gold medalist. Equine Insurance of California, Land Rover Professional’s Choice and the Professional Riders Organization are the presenting sponsors of the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event. A portion of all tickets sales will...

Elkton, MD - The second day of dressage at the Dansko Fair Hill International CCI got off to a late start on Friday after lightning storms caused an hour delay. Rain continued to threaten throughout the day and struck during the first rides of the final afternoon session as competitors completed the first phase the USEF National Two and Three-Star Eventing Championships. In the CCI3* Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot hold the lead going into the cross country with a score of 43. No one was...

The eleventh in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder If I go to a restaurant and order lemonade, I do not expect to receive a glass of ice water with a lemon wedge on the rim of the glass. When I am thinking about what western dressage is to me, I envision a discipline as fully flavored as that glass of lemonade. In fact, my vision for the future of western dressage as an independent and unique equestrian discipline may be more like strawberry lemonade! As a dressage instructor and...

With just 24 hours to go to the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, excitement and great expectations are building up in the Olympic venues dotted around the city whilst record ticket sales – over 2.2 million tickets sold – are already hailing this edition as the greatest ever. This will be the fifth time Para-Equestrian Dressage is on the programme but it is the first time it is held in a country with such a strong Para-Equestrian culture, so strong that since it became...

A favorite with WIHS audiences is Nick Skelton, London Olympic Team Gold Medalist. Shown here winning the 2011 WIHS President's Cup Grand Prix with Carlo 273. (Diana DeRosa) Washington, D.C., - The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), is pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for its 2012 competition, running October 23-28, 2012, at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. Full ticket information can be found by visiting www.wihs.org/tickets/ . The WIHS is one of the most...

Scott Stewart and Dedication took top honors during the Classic Hunter Round of the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The crème de la crème of the hunter world gathered at the Rolex Stadium for the first day of the long awaited 2012 $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. All the attention turned toward the classic hunt course that decorated the Rolex Stadium at the Bluegrass...

Paige Johnson and Amagedon 3 won the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - August 3, 2012 - Although storm clouds hung sullenly over the Kentucky Horse Park this afternoon, the amateur and junior jumper riders were not deterred as they tackled their respective courses to vie for the top honors in the Rolex Stadium. Paige Johnson topped today's High Amateur-Owner Jumpers with Amagedon 3. Megan Nusz slid into the second place finish...