The answer to this question is a simple, but detailed one. The Western Dressage Association® of America chose to pursue and become a nonprofit organization for many reasons, including fulfillment of our educational mission, greater opportunities for private funding and benefits of tax exemption… but the primary motivation was for YOU! When an organization applies for nonprofit status it states that it is declaring that its association is motivated by other goals then making a profit....

Superman and John Ingram (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Superman and John Ingram clinched the championship title during day two of competition for the Hunt Limited Amateur-Owner Hunter Over 35 division at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Ingram, of Nashville, TN, and his eleven-year-old Holsteiner gelding were third and second over fences during day one of competition and secured their victory with two blue ribbon performances on day two in the under saddle...

How can you practice anything on your horse when there’s six inches of snow on the ground, it’s below freezing, the wind is blowing, and you’re not blessed with an indoor arena? Here in Colorado, we often have beautiful, sunny days where we can exercise our horses outdoors for hours. On other days, not so much. As a friend of mine said, "it’s not how you ride your horse; it’s how you live your life." He was referring to work you can do off your horse, such as...

What is the next frontier in the equestrian world? According to Dr. Jim Warson, Equestrian Medicine Specialist and author of The Rider’s Pain Free Back , “its rider health and development. The horses are as good as they are going to be in our lifetimes, so this is where the action is. Rider health and conditioning make us worthy of the horses that we spend so much time and money on”. Dr. Jim Warson with his beautiful horse, Gallahad Golden Warrior, “Trigger” Dr....

What is the equestrian demographic in North America? Surveys reveal it consists of women who, after a career, raising children, or both, have either returned to riding or are pursuing it as a life long dream. I fall into this demographic, having returned after both a career and children, and once again after major surgery. But where do we go to find training, a supportive community and a purpose in this endeavor? After much exploration, I was lucky enough to find Western Dressage through the...

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...

USEF Dressage Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg with Rebecca Cohen at the training session. (Carol Cohen) Lexington, KY - The first of two USEF Elite Youth Dressage Training Sessions for 2012 wrapped up Sunday at Shannondale Farm in Alpharetta, Georgia. The two-day training session, made possible by a generous donation from Kristen McDonald and the Marquis George MacDonald Foundation, was led by USEF Dressage Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg. The invitation-only session included eight of the top youth...

Charles Town, WV - The Pony Finals Auction is in its 18th year, returns to the U.S. Pony Finals in Lexington, Kentucky. The auction will be held in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park on August 11, 2012. The U.S. Pony Finals will be held August 7 through August 12. The Pony Finals anchors seven weeks of shows produced by Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC that includes the Kentucky Summer Series, the U.S. National Junior Hunter Championships and the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young...

Mette Rosencrantz enjoyed her three CDI class wins with "Mosegaards Rico" at Woodside. (Jennifer M. Keeler) Woodside, C A - Despite the pressure of National Championships in Gladstone, NJ hovering less than one month away, beautiful weather and a spectacular setting in California allowed dressage riders and horses to enjoy themselves at the Woodside Spring Dressage CDI*/Y/J in Woodside, CA, May 18 - 20, 2012. As a valuable qualifier for the Northern California region, horses and riders competed...