Recently on the NAWD Facebook page, discussion has centered on the terms “connection” and “collection” with riders, trainers and instructors piping in with comments. If you have not checked in with the Facebook discussions on the websites for all the organizations, I encourage you to do so. All of these comments are so valuable! This is a critical conversation and is truly at the root of the discussion that surrounds WD videos that are currently out there. Dressage...

Last week I gave you some wonderful numbers that show the tremendous growth we have seen in Western Dressage over the last year. Almost 200 shows and events are already scheduled for 2013… 200! All those events are the brainchildren of people who want to help develop WD in their area. Most riders start by going to audit or participate in a clinic first or by becoming familiar with different philosophies and approaches to western dressage via the FaceBook pages or investigating the...

The twenty fourth in a series of blog posts from Michelle Binder North American Western Dressage receives all kinds of questions at the website and on our FaceBook page. Last week Jen Johnson shared the following in a post and it generated a huge amount of material for consideration. She posted: “I received an email last night from a **** judge who had the following concerns about Western Dressage..... “The problem is that the western horse is going to have to be much quicker in...

Isabelle Terry receives her awards from Show Jumping Hall of Fame Executive Director Marty Bauman. (McCool Photgraphy) Lexington, KY - Isabelle Terry of Dallas, TX and Chakira won the inaugural Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series West Coast Championship, held at the Las Vegas National Horse Show on November 17. Prior to the Championship Final in Las Vegas, the 2012 West Conference regular season came to a close following the L.A. National Horse Show. Lauren Kay and Siendifie topped...

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...

Lexington, KY - Another evening of electrifying American Saddlebred competition continued Friday. A cheering audience enjoyed the $3,000 Three Gaited Championship Stake, the $1,500 Fine Harness Open Championship the $3,000 Five Gaited Championship Stake and the very first Roadster class of the show, the $25,000 Equine Services Roadster Cup. The Roadster classes are a throwback to the origins of the American Saddlebred breed. The American Saddlebreds were developed from pacing Standardbreds, the...

Tony Suraci on stage as The Highwayman (Galway Downs Press Office) Temecula, CA - Riders and fans will see an even more attractive competition site when they return to the Galway Downs International Three-Day Event on Nov. 1-4. More than 500 new trees now further enhance the grounds, and 15 acres of grass polo fields have been installed in the center of the racetrack. But the trees are just the beginning of the steps organizer Robert Kellerhouse has taken to make the Galway Downs International...

Louise Serio and Corvine won the $5,000 Get Real Get RAW USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Devon, PA - For the second time this year, Louise Serio piloted the five-year-old gelding Corvine to a National Hunter Derby victory. During their first derby at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show, Serio and Corvine held the leading score from start to finish, and during the Brandywine Valley Summer Series' $5,000 Get Real Get RAW USHJA National Hunter...

Lexington, KY - The American Saddlebred Horse Association, a century-old breed association and registry headquartered at The Kentucky Horse Park, seeks a dynamic leader to serve as its Executive Director, who will manage and oversee all operations and staff of the Association and Registry, and work closely with Association and Registry Board Directors. Position Announcement: Executive Director Job Title: Executive Director – American Saddlebred Horse Association Reports To: Presidents and...

Sascha Mills. Photo: Laurie Revard. Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce Sascha Mills as the winner of the 2011 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award. Mills was selected from an outstanding group of youth representing their respective recognized breed and discipline affiliates from across the country. An avid Morgan competitor from Goldsby, OK, she was nominated by the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA). "Winning this award is such an honor,"...