Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and its Eventing High Performance Department is proud to announce the participants for the 2014 Developing Riders/Eventing 25 Program. For the second year, a Developing Rider will be defined as a rider (25 and under) who has achieved a qualifying result at the CCI2* level. Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor will lead the Developing Riders/Eventing 25 program and coach the accepted athletes. In addition to lessons under saddle,...

Welcome to a different kind of blog from WDAA! The purpose of this post is to allow the reader "into the heads" of both a trainer/judge/competitor, Karen Abbattista and her student, Deborah Herbert, a Florida WDAA member. We would like to share with you some moments in Deb's journey as she pursues her riding goals with her AQHA mare "GenuineArcticSpring", barn name "Belle". Please enjoy as you follow along with these posts that we consider interesting or challenging moments on their journey...

A link to this article had been printed with the permission of Nancy Jaffer and USHJA's In Stride magazine. It's Time to Deal with the Drug Culture - In Stride March 2013

I am thrilled to say the Cowboy Dressage Judges Orientation was a huge success on Friday, February 15th in Medford, OR. A stellar cast of presenters spoke on various topics to fifty plus attendees, most of whom were women. I was surprised there were not more men since it is Cowboy Dressage, but was very happy to see that at least seven states were represented including two individuals from as far away as Wisconsin. Beginning with the video called “From Then to Now” and proceeding to...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the winners of two prestigious awards in the discipline of Endurance, the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award and the Brunjes Junior/Young Rider Trophy. The awards will be presented at the USEF Horse of the Year Awards gala and dinner on Friday, January 18, 2013 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky. Heather Reynolds (left) riding Riverwatch at the 2012 Longines FEI World Endurance...

This is a truly thrilling time to be a part of Western Dressage and the Western Dressage Association® of America! I recently had the opportunity to chat with Cliff Swanson, who has been instrumental in many facets of the program, including authoring and editing the new tests, working with the Rules Committee, developing the Train The Trainers™ Program and conducting a wonderful series of Skill Set Clinics. Cliff also sits on the Advisory Board for the WDAA. According to Cliff,...

The twenty second in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder With the Holiday, I have just a short newsy blog for readers this week. I for one am looking forward to what the New Year brings in all areas, especially video submissions for the virtual shows. It is an exciting and challenging time for everyone involved on all fronts, a time that requires courage, flexibility, willingness to share and learn from one another, as well as patience as WD emerges over time. Like Edison with the light...

Devon, PA – The competition continued today with classes including the FEI Intermediaire I, the FEI Young Rider Individual Text, Fourth Level tests, FEI Team Test Ponies and the highly anticipated FEI Grand Prix Freestyle. The Riders Jacqueline Brooks and D-Niro (Hoof Print Images) “This night is my favorite. I’m thrilled to have won,” said Jacqueline Brooks, winner of the Grand Prix Freestyle. She’s only been riding D-Niro since February of 2011 but has already...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the new Dressage Rider Tests Program for the 2013 competition year. Designed and drafted by a joint working group from the USEF Dressage Committee and appointees from the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), these tests are available for use by riders at Training, First, and Seconds Levels. While neither these tests nor their subsequent scores are a requirement to progress through the levels, they are...

The thirteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder With growth comes ‘growing pains.’ The situation surrounding Western Dressage becomes more complicated with each passing day. More and more shows are offering WD classes with tests from several sources. YouTube watchers see a huge variation in the WD videos presented there. At least three different rulebooks now grace cyberspace and you can read articles and letters to the editor in national and local magazines. The...