Like the tale of a great cowboy story, a monumental journey began in the kitchen of a house in a small town in Texas. It was there that a gathering of horsemen and women begin to discuss the merits for the use of Dressage for the Western horse; “Western Dressage” emerged. Understanding the need for an organization to provide education and resources for this discipline, the Western Dressage Association® of America (WDAA) was formed as the first national entity for Western...

Andy Fraser President, Finning Canada, presenting the winners trophy to Jerome Hurel. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, Alberta - Opening day of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament lived up to all expectations. Fifty-three horse/rider combinations from 9 nations took to the International Ring for top spot in the 1.50 meter Akita Drilling Cup. Over the 500 meter course designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), with 14 jumping obstacles, it was Richard Spooner (USA) that...

Stephanie Riggio with ringmaster Cliff Haines (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - After a year away from the show ring recovering from a foot injury, Saline is back in a big way at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Owner and rider Stephanie Riggio of New York City piloted the 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare to victory in the La Mundial Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Section B division. Riggio and Saline were named champions of the division after placing sixth and...

If you like to keep up with equestrian competitions, you’ve been born into a great time. It has never been easier to stay connected to your favorite atheletes and disciplines. There are plenty of good ways to go about it, but I am going to briefly explain why twitter has become my favroite way to keep up with the equestrian action nationally, and internationally. Finding results and watching live events is part of my job, but I need to discover new sources all the time. Of all the avenues...

Eric Lamaze riding Coriana van Klapscheut is presented with a $3,000 bonus from ringmaster Cliff Haines, Jennifer Ward and Ed James of SSG Riding Gloves (Sportfot) Wellington, Fl – Canada’s Eric Lamaze laid claim to his first $3,000 bonus from SSG Riding Gloves after winning the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round VIII on Thursday, March 1, at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Lamaze defeated 81 other entries while wearing his SSG...

Fear of the unknown often darkens our dream of buying the young horse that will become the next show star. Perhaps we are drawn to this idea by the harmony that arises between human and equine when raising a horse from his first years; possibly it's the chance to be able to buy him before he costs six figures. But will this charming youngster transform into that fancy show horse we had envisioned? Here is a way to peek into a crystal ball. Start from the bottom up — your bottom line Clearly...

Interest and participation in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) has never been greater. The association continues to exhibit phenomenal growth, especially in the areas of membership and approved shows. During its June meeting, the NRHA’s Board of Directors announced a year-to-date increase of 4.5% in memberships for 2006. The board also announced a significant growth in NRHA-approved shows, especially in international venues where there’s been an increase of more than 33% in 2006...

Saddlebred.com has a new and valuable feature titled, “Saddle Up a Saddlebred,” which allows anyone interested in seeing, riding or learning more about Saddlebreds to enter their zip code and find a number of stables within a 300-mile radius. It can be accessed by going to www.saddlebred.com and clicking on “About the Breed,” and then going to “Stable Search,” or type in www.saddlebred.com/breed/stables.php . Right now, there are approximately 400 Saddlebred farms and stables in the database...

Mill Spring, N.C. – With a huge number of entries, the final day of competition at the 2021 Tryon International Three-Day Event was just as full and exciting as the days that preceded it, with show jumping taking place from the cool morning into the evening under the lights. By the end of the day, a new four-star national champion emerged, and the victors of the inaugural Adequan®/USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge were crowned. The Dutta Corp./USEF CCI4*-L Eventing National...

Rich Fellers and Flexible on their way to a $50,000 OSPHOS Grand Prix win. (ESI Photography) Thermal, Calif. - Desert Circuit V at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California, concluded with Sunday’s $50,000 Grand Prix sponsored by OSPHOS. Thirty-Six elite competitors battled it out for the chance to wear the long blue ribbon in the victory gallop and a share of the $50,000 purse. Anderson Lima, of Brazil, designed a demanding 16-effort course. Only six would jump the course fault-free...