Courtney King-Dye at the FEI Awards 2012 (Photo courtesy FEI Fédération Equestre Internationale) Istanbul, TUR - The equestrian world celebrated its heroes last night at a glittering gala evening in Istanbul, Turkey. HRH Princess Haya, President of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body of horse sport, congratulated the winners of the FEI Awards 2012. Addressing an audience of more than 300 guests, including representatives of the FEI's 132...

The thirteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder With growth comes ‘growing pains.’ The situation surrounding Western Dressage becomes more complicated with each passing day. More and more shows are offering WD classes with tests from several sources. YouTube watchers see a huge variation in the WD videos presented there. At least three different rulebooks now grace cyberspace and you can read articles and letters to the editor in national and local magazines. The...

Donna Ponessa (West Windsor, NY) had a long time to wait before she was able to make her debut at the 2012 Paralympic Games. But she made it worth the wait as she piloted Wes Dunham’s Western Rose to a score of 70.235% in front of the Ground Jury of Kjell Myhre, Sarah Rodger, Gudrun Hofinga, Freddy Leyman and Anne Prain. Riding in Grade 1a competition, Ponessa produced a steady, rhythmic test with the 9-year-old Oldenburg mare to earn fifth place. Western Rose is well Donna Ponessa and...

See what Donna Ponessa had to say about her Grade 1a Team Test with Wesley Dunham's Western Rose. The pair scored 70.235%. On her first competition experience at the 2012 Paralympic Games: It was an amazing experience. At first I was a little overwhelmed the mare was a little tense. But all my teammates agree it’s another show with an Opening Ceremony and you can’t be thinking about anything but the foot fall and your job ahead so once I got that centered, it seemed to flow...

Dan and Louise DeRusseau 2011 Winners Egyptian Event Breeders Excellance Award Why is there always something wrong with the way people get started breeding and raising horses? If they manage to get the bloodstock right (always the most important part), they get the management wrong or the marketing and advertising, or the farm is located in Timbuktu. Not so with LD Arabians. Dan and Louise DeRusseau selected their bloodstock with the mentoring of veteran Arabians Ltd. trainer and manager Shawn...

Sabine Schut-Kery rode "Sanceo" to another victory in the Markel/USEF Western Dressage Selection Trial at the Dressage at Flintridge CDI*/Y/J (Jennifer M. Keeler) Burbank, CA - The final rounds of the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trial held at Dressage at Flintridge CDI*/Y/J in La Cañada-Flintridge, CA treated spectators and officials alike to beautiful tests showcasing spectacular talent. In the six-year-old division, defending Selection Trial champion "Sanceo"...

Things are nearly in full swing here in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The jumping horses all jogged yesterday and looked quite well. As I type they are familiarizing in the main arena. They also had the option to get in the ring yesterday afternoon. Some just flatted while others jumped the mini-course (I say mini because there were just 6 numbered jumps but set at heights that were anything but small). Flexible, Cortes ‘C’, Baronez, Indigo and Uceko (who was quite fresh for Kent) took...

Katy, TX - As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Nordic Lights Farm wrapped up the 2011 show season during the Final Chase Horse Show at the Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Eirin Bruheim claimed the winning honors during the $5,000 Open Jumper Mini Prix aboard Cicero 75, as well as the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship. Her sister Lene Bruheim was also very successful, earning top honors in the hunter, jumper, and equitation rings. Eirin and her talented mount Cicero...

Inga Fuengerlings. Photo: www.yourhorses.ifp3.com. Lincoln, NE - The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce that two scholarships have recently been awarded from the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund. These scholarships provided the financial support necessary for two young riders to attend their regional United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Junior/Young Rider Clinic. Inga Fuengerlings (CO) was awarded $800 to attend the USDF Region 5 Jr/YR Clinic with George Williams on October 22-23,...

The first half of this day involved my computer, two cappuccinos and the hotel office. "Just be sure we kick some ass." Unfortunately Jon Holling's Eventing horse Downtown Harrison was withdrawn for veterinary reasons in Ocala this morning. But those were his words when I texted him my condolences. He's a friend and a class act, so we're all sad for him. Luckily we have Lynn Symansky to step into his shoes. She's a star. Interestingly she will be making her second Pan Am...