Since 1906, the National Western Stock Show in Denver has been the Super Bowl of livestock shows. On January 24th at this year’s show, Cliff Swanson, along with the Western Dressage Association® of Colorado , presented a two hour clinic in the basics of Western Dressage. Drawing from his skill set clinics, Cliff was able to demonstrate what he normally teaches in five or six half-day clinics. Cliff explained the history of dressage, as he began with a demonstration of aids,...

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce the winners of two prestigious awards in the discipline of Endurance, the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award and the Brunjes Junior/Young Rider Trophy. The awards will be presented at the USEF Horse of the Year Awards gala and dinner on Friday, January 18, 2013 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky. Heather Reynolds (left) riding Riverwatch at the 2012 Longines FEI World Endurance...

The twenty first in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder As this blog has progressed, I have tried to bring awareness about Western Dressage to the equestrian community at large. Now I am going to encourage you to do some research on your own. By now you know that there are several organizations promoting the development of the sport. At this point the question we hear most often from people all over is: “What is the difference?” To some it seems that the differences that...

Saer Coulter posted the first clear round aboard her mare Julie Des Brumes (Blenheim Equisports) Las Vegas, NV - November 16, 2012 - Three nights of intense competition kicked off this evening at the South Point Equestrian Arena in Las Vegas. Local equestrian fans and spectators filled the stands for Barn Night during the opening ceremonies of the $32,000 Markel Insurance Jumper Classic, and the end result left no disappointment. A deep international field of fifty-six horse and rider...

Richard Rinehart and Julio Zionsville, IN - August 7, 2012 - The 2012 Traders Point Hunt Charity Horse Show and Country Fair got underway today at beautiful Wild Air Farm in Zionsville, IN. The popular, festive show is located on a spectacular backdrop nestled amid Indiana hills and woods. The Jumper classes in the Russell Fortune Grand Prix Arena got underway with challenging courses designed by Steve Stephens, which tested horses and riders strength, going from long gallops to tight turns and...

Christian Heineking and NKH Selena dashed to the top of the leaderboard in the 1.40m Open Jumper speed class at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The first day of the Kentucky Summer Classic was filled with exciting jumper action in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park. This afternoon, competitors had the opportunity to showcase their speed in the 1.40m Open Jumpers and show off their talents navigating the 1.35 Open Jumpers. Christian Heineking led the...

Katie Tyler and Seattle 6 won the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic on Sunday, July 29, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Week four of the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival concluded on Sunday, July 29, with two exciting Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classics featured in the grand prix ring. Katie Tyler, 19, of North Kingstown, RI, rode Seattle 6 to victory in the $10,000 SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner...

As the United States looks forward to the 2012 Paralympics for the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team, the Para-Equestrian Driving Team will be preparing for the 2012 Para-Equestrian World Driving Championships, scheduled August 30-September 2, 2012 in Breda, The Netherlands. The 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Driving Team for the World Driving Championships include Diane Kastama, Grade 1, from Arroyo Grande, CA; Pam Johnson, Grade 2 from Pleasant Hill, MO; and Karen Gorham, Grade 2, of...

The sixth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder When on a horse, I wear a riding helmet. My students wear riding helmets. I ride and show western and dressage. The helmet/hat quandary, style vs. safety, the tradition or common sense conversation is therefore a subject near and dear to my heart. On March 22, 2012, I went into the hay barn to get a bale of hay to feed lunch in the barn. To make a long story short, despite my usual care in tipping bales, as I turned to leave the...

Lillie Keenan on Monterray (Parker/Russell - The Book LLC) Devon, PA - The Platinum Performance USEF Show Jumping Talent Search began relatively on time, right on the heels of the WIHS Jumper Phase. Though the introduction of the open water for the USEF Talent Search found a few unprepared, the course rode well. Towards the end of Section A, during Geoffrey Hesslink's round it began to rain. He entered the ring dry and left it drenched. Following the deluge, the last few rounds led into the...