Western horses jog. English horses trot. Dressage horses trot. Everyone knows that. What does that mean for the western dressage horse? The western jog was a gait that could be ridden for long distances over the range or on the trail that horses could sustain without exhaustion and which could be sat comfortably. The trot is a gait that covers more ground at a reasonable tempo. To deal with the dynamics of the gait and to unload the horses back, some riders learned to post. Western riders bred...

Kalispell, Mont. - The pressure is building for young riders as they move into the final day of show jumping for the Adequan North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North. Both individuals and teams fought hard in today's cross-country rounds, meaning there was limited movement within the ranks. "My entire team did so well so I knew I had to bring it home to them," described Katie Lichten, last to go in the team order for the combined team of Area I/II. Katie Lichten moved...

Devon, PA – Since 1978 more and more spectators, riders and trainers have enjoyed Dressage with the Experts. This year an over-ear style personal receiver allows you to follow all the commentary of some of the foremost experts in the world of dressage. Listen as they comment and give personal opinion and insight into the horse and rider during their performances. For only $35 (pre-ordered) or $40 on the day of the show, you get a behind the scenes perspective exclusive only to those with...

Lexington, Kentucky - The United States heads into the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final as the winner of the North American League and will look to again showcase its winning form. Teams from 18 nations have traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to contest the inaugural Final, which is held in conjunction with CSIO5* Barcelona, September 26-29, 2013. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland brings a group of steely veterans and rising stars to Spain. Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Reed Kessler, Lucy...

The eighteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder The latest addition to the Western Dressage information network is a new Facebook page dedicated exclusively to calendar events around the nation. The new page is called, appropriately, “Western Dressage Shows & Events” and is maintained by Vaquero Training Center in Connecticut. The page is designed to keep Western Dressage enthusiasts informed about what is going on all over the country. It is a brand new FB...

The seventh in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Before we learn to read we must learn the ABC’s. William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle (1593-1676) suggested an analogy between the education of a child and horse trainers who made unrealistic demands on young horses. Centuries ago he asked, ‘I would fain ask such stupid people, whether, by beating a boy, they could teach him to read, without first showing him his alphabet?’1 Systematic progressive training is not...

Please see the USDA situation report (UPDATED JUNE 8) for updated information: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/ehv_2011_sitrep_060811.pdf Affected States' State Veterinarian Contact Information: California : https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html Phone: (916) 654-1447 Colorado : https://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/Agriculture-Main/CDAG/1167928197091 Phone: (303-239-4161 Idaho : https://www.agri.state.id....

Dressage Fresh from the Reem Acra/FEI World Cup Dressage Final, Jan Ebeling and Shawna Harding headed to CDI Hagen with their World Cup horses, Rafalca and Come On III. Ebeling led the charge for the U.S. finishing fifth in the Grand Prix on a score of 70.872%. Ebeling commandeered an excellent performance out of Ann Romney’s mare, and received four 8s on his riding. The pair was then eighth in the Grand Prix Freestyle on a score of 73.875%. Laura Bechtolscheimer, Great Britain’s...

Leipzig, Germany - The Rolex/FEI World Cup Final came to a close Sunday afternoon in Leipzig, Germany, with two final rounds of jumping. The U.S. had strong representation in this competition as they sent seven of the 27 riders into the ring. In the third and final competition, riders jumped two rounds over Frank Rothenberger's demanding 1.60m courses. The entire field would contest the first round, with 19 riders returning to the arena one last time to determine who would be crowned...

Leipzig, Germany - The Leipzig Exhibition Center hosted the first round of the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final - the speed leg - this afternoon and all 10 American combinations looked to get a head start on the competition. Frank Rothenberger set a scopey yet technical course that tested all 43 competitors in the 2011 Final and allowed for a number of different lines and options to be ridden. With the faults converted format, finding the correct balance between forward and efficient riding and...