The third in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder I promised you last week I would share more about the informal surveys that have helped give Western Dressage a voice through NAWD, and given me good stuff to share with you. While we believe there is much common ground to be found between western and dressage, there are differences between Western Dressage and BOTH parent disciplines. As Western Dressage continues to develop into a unique discipline in this country it is imperative...

The second in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder I started formal riding lessons when I was four years old. English riding lessons. The doctors told my mom it would be good for me. It was 1969. The Academy where I learned is now a national historic landmark. By the time I was 6, I was riding with double reins. My introduction to western riding came when my parents purchased a POA stallion for me the summer of my sixth year. That pony could buck my dad off! ‘Nuff said. When...

It’s a blissfully warm day in January, and my horse Nicolai is galloping alongside crashing surf as cars roll by. The passengers stare –wistful or shocked, I’m not sure – as we hop over piles of seaweed. This, I think, is the greatest thing I’ve ever done. The week before, Nicolai and I rode out among cattle. We chased calves along the creek and followed the ridge to a quiet spot above the barn. Usually, we are show jumpers, but sometimes we ride for miles along...

Devon, PA – The world-famous Breed Division at Dressage at Devon continued today. With some of the most stunning horses from around the world competing, it was Rheporter, Dazzle, Rabiola and Doctor Wendell MF who treated spectators to the final feast for the eyes, floating around the Dixon Oval as they competed for top honors in the Grand Championship. It was déjà vu when Rabiola won the Four-Year-Old and Older Broodmare’s class. The mare by Metall out of Fabiola by...

Lizzie Snow graduated from High School in 2010 and has represented Area VII at the Adequan FEI North American Junior/Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North in 2009 and 2010. In 2010 she won Team Gold and Individual Bronze at the 2010 event and made a successful move up to the CCI2* level. The Portland, OR native is now based in Southern Pines, NC. I can’t believe it’s already the end of March. I feel like the year just began but now the spring season is halfway done! My...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athlete-and-horse combinations selected to represent the Perrigo U.S. Para Dressage Team at the CPEDI3* Stadl-Paura in Austria. The competition takes place June 1-3 at Pferdezentrum Stadl-Paura. The team will be led by U.S. Para Dressage Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline. The following combinations are listed in alphabetical order: Rebecca Hart (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Floratina , a 2008 Hanoverian mare owned by Chloe Gasiorowski...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes named to the 2023 Eventing Elite Program. The aim of the Eventing Elite Program is to identify and support combinations with demonstrated medal-winning potential at the next World Championships or Olympic Games, and provide them with the best possible preparation to represent the U.S. The following combinations have met the objective criteria as outlined in the Eventing Elite Program Task Force (EEPTF) Recommendations for...

Gladstone, N.J. – The final standings for the 2022 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final – East came down to the influential final round, where the top four competitors returned for the ride-off. In the end, it was Augusta Iwasaki who rode her way into the top spot, masterfully guiding her own horse—and the other three horses in the final four—through the Round IV test. Augusta Iwasaki and Freedom. ©Leslie Potter/US Equestrian Iwasaki...

San Juan Capistrano, Calif. – Twenty-three athletes completed the first phase of competition at the 2022 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – West on Friday, kicking off a weekend of competition designed to showcase young riders with a promising future in the sport. Nicole McMillion and Campitello 5. ©McCool Photography After a warm-up round in which entrants have 90 seconds to practice over jumps, the competitors completed the flatwork phase of the...

Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy – The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team had a fantastic day on cross-country in the hills of Pratoni, finishing all four team combinations and individual combination around the course designed by Giuseppe Della Chiesa (ITA). The team currently sits in second behind Germany on a team score of 77.4, while Tamie Smith and Mai Baum hold third place individually overnight on their score of 24.0. “Today absolutely met my expectations and I think everyone leading up...