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...

Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals Presentation. (Al Cook) Harrisburg, PA - Meg O'Mara of Rumson, NJ, bested a field of 257 junior riders to win the prestigious Pessoa/US Hunter Seat Equitation Medal Finals, presented by Randolph College, at the 67th Annual Pennsylvania National Horse Show on Sunday. It was an emotional time for O'Mara. The announcer just finished naming Lillie Keenan of New York, NY, the Reserve Champion. When she realized that the Championship title was...

Caroline Zaunbrecher and Fire Van Battenbroek takes over individual lead. Zone 4, the US National Pony Jumper Team Champions (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - Thursday night the determined mounted their ponies to take on the indoor jump course at the Alltech Arena for the 2012 US Pony Finals at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park. Riders from all over the nation participated in the US National Pony Jumper Team Championship and also competed at the individual level in phase II, a...

Wellington, FL - The deadline for riders to participate in the $35,000 WEF Wellington Dressage Nations' Cup CDIO3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm, is fast approaching. This prestigious event takes place April 12-15 at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival. The CDIO3* features world-class teams of dressage riders and horses from the United States and foreign nations competing in the FEI Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I and Intermediare Freestyle classes. US riders that...

Some tips from Equestrian Interior Designer Mary Cox Whether you live in a small apartment or a large spacious home you can bring your love of horses home, without bringing your horse home too. For most of us our home is our sanctuary – a place to retreat from life’s stress and re-charge our batteries. A thoughtfully planned interior creates feelings that re-energize us while a poorly planned interior can have us feeling frustrated and stressed. In riding, when there is harmony...

Steffen Peters won the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special at the Burbank CDI-W/Y/J, showing why "Legolas" could be his next superstar. (Jennifer M. Keeler) Burbank, CA - Riders who dream of a chance to stand on the Olympic medal podium began their quests at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI-W/Y/J in Burbank, CA, February 23 - 26, 2012. As the first official West Coast qualifying competition for the 2012 Olympic Games Dressage Team Selection Trials, horses and riders vied for valuable qualifying...

Devon, PA – America’s most prestigious Dressage Horse Show, Dressage at Devon has continued to grow and evolve over the past 37 years. The show has provided a top show venue for competitors, a unique “Norman Rockwell” style American shopping venue and has benefited various charities over the years. Over the past 21 years, Thorncroft Equestrian Center has been the charitable beneficiary of the Dressage at Devon horseshow. This month Thorncroft Equestrian Center opted to...

Kent Farrington and Uceko. (V.Valenti/James Leslie Parker. ) Tampa, FL - Kent Farrington piloted the gray warmblood Uceko to two clear rounds to win Saturday's $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G & C Farm, in Tampa, Florida. This was the 39th year for the Invitational, which was held at Tampa's famed Raymond James Stadium. It is the first that was held after the death of Gene Mische last year. Mische, the founder of Stadium Jumping, Inc., was the creator of the...

Scott Stewart and Empire. (Photo by Sportfot.) Wellington, FL - It was an important day for hunters at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Sixty entries took their shot at a chance to compete in the $50,000 USHJA Hunter Derby, one of the biggest purses in the world offered for hunter competitors. The class began this afternoon in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. With a large number of spectators standing by, each horse and rider combination took their turn over a course of eleven jumps,...

Fete Cheval winner Darragh Kenny riding Leia, with Visse Wedell, Clea Newman Soderlund, Jenny Belkna (Photo By: Phelps Media Group.) Wellington, FL - This year's Fete Cheval was a huge hit that featured fantastic riders performing games on rescue horses on Friday, March 11, 2011. The beautiful night, presented by Foundation Farm, benefitted The EQUUS Foundation, which helps equestrian and horse related charities across the United States. There was a beautiful dinner for guests, catered by White...