Welcome to the fourth installment of a different kind of blog from WDAA! The purpose of this post is to allow the reader "into the heads" of both a trainer/judge/competitor, Karen Abbattista and her student, Deborah Herbert, a Florida WDAA member. We would like to share with you some moments in Deb's journey as she pursues her riding goals with her AQHA mare "GenuineArcticSpring", barn name "Belle". Please enjoy as you follow along with these posts that we consider interesting or...

Penny Brennan guided Japan to the winning time of 38.170 seconds during the $7,500 South Shore Equine Welcome Stake at the Fieldstone Summer Showcase I (Kendall Bierer/Phelps Media Group) Halifax, MA - It was only three short weeks ago that Penny Brennan was released from the hospital for a severe case of pneumonia, but no one would have known as she raced Japan to the top of the leader board during the $7,500 South Shore Equine Welcome Stake. Brennan and Japan posted the blazing time of 38.170...

McKayla Langmeier and Czar-Z on their way to victory in the $15,000 NEHJA Hunter Derby on August 8 at the Vermont Summer Festival. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT - McKayla Langmeier of East Granby, CT, left the veterans in the dust as the 13-year-old collected the top prize in the $15,000 NEHJA Hunter Derby held Thursday, August 8, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. The win marked the second in a row for Langmeier and Czar-Z having also won last week’s $5,000...

Holly Shepherd and Triompf claim the $35,000 Grand Prix de Lamplight victory with speedy tie breaking jump-off (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Wayne, IL - The resounding cheers and applause could be heard throughout the Lamplight Equestrian Center as six horse and rider combinations faced off in today's $35,000 Grand Prix de Lamplight, presented by Saddler's Row. It came down to a battle of speed as each consecutive rider bested the next, but it was Holly Shepherd and Triompf that came away the...

Shane Sweetnam and Solerina (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - For the second week in a row, the Irish had all the luck, specifically Shane Sweetnam during the $50,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix, sponsored by Audi of Lexington, at the Kentucky Summer Classic. This time he was aboard Solerina for the win, shaving valuable seconds off his jump-off time to beat fellow countryman Richie Moloney and Carrabis Z, who placed second. Sweetnam's winning mount from last...

With Wings delivered Karen Polle a belated birthday present when he carried her to a win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis (ESI Photography) Saugerties, NY – After turning 21 on Thursday, Karen Polle of New York, New York and With Wings celebrated with a blue ribbon in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. Under clear blue skies, Polle and With Wings were definitely sporting their wings, riding to an impressively quick jump-off round and...

Molly Mcadow and Barina captured the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby victory at Equifest I (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Wayne, IL - It was a day to remember for Molly Mcadow as she laid down the winning rounds during the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The Lamplight Equestrian Center was packed with exhibitors and spectators for the third day of Equifest I, and although the skies were gray and torrents of rain poured down from above, the derby contenders were not deterred. Mcadow led the victory...

Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - The top riders in the country gathered to compete for the winning prize in tonight's $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic, but in the 15-horse jump-off only the fastest and most accurate would have the chance at the prize money. Venezuela's Pablo Barrios and Zara Leandra scored the lion's share of the cash after making a mad dash across the finish line in a scorching 43.662 seconds for the win. The...

Brittini Raflowitz and Elios rode to the top of the $5,000 GGT Footing Welcome Stake leader board at Equifest I, riding to the only double-clear effort of the class. Wayne, IL - Accuracy was key for Brittini Raflowitz and Elios this afternoon during the $5,000 GGT Footing Welcome Stake at Equifest I. The pair out jumped all fellow contenders as the only ones to post a double-clear effort, eventually leading the victory gallop in the Lamplight Equestrian Center's Grand Prix Ring. David...

Holly Shepherd and Loretta Patterson's Triompf make it look easy on their way to the winner's circle (Classic Communications) Johns Island, SC - After a lengthy absence, Classic Company President, Bob Bell decided to reintroduce grand prix action to the boutique-style Charleston Summer Classic and dedicated the first grand prix in memory of Juan Hernandez. Holly Shepherd of Grand Bay, Alabama and Loretta Patterson's Triompf celebrated the return of the grand prix Saturday night with a win...