Every journey begins with a single step. Although many shows reflect such journeys, this year's Canadian Nationals is particularly full of starting points, especially on the day before the show. Brandon is hosting Canadian Nationals for the first time; no stranger to hosting horse shows, Brandon is a charming city with a diverse feeling. Blocks of Victorian era houses, with their sun-kissed gabled roofs and bay windows, mingle with more modern apartment buildings in the downtown. On the...

Dressage Following their second and third place finishes in the CDIW at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, Elisabeth Austin and Olivier and Shawna Harding and Come On III have earned their qualification to represent the U.S. at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final. The 2011 Final will be held in Leipzig, Germany. April 27- May 1. Austin and Olivier score of 70.150% placed them second behind Swedish rider Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven on Favourit in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Harding and Come On III finished...

Albuquerque, NM - Beautiful southwest skies greeted attendees to the Welsh Pony & Cob Society Annual Meeting in Albuquerque, NM. The convention provided a chance for friends and competitors to visit and celebrate the successes of 2010 and make 2011 plans. An open schedule and planned tour provided ample opportunity to explore nearby museums, cultural exhibits and plenty of shopping in nearby Old Town and Santa Fe. • The Annual General Meeting revealed election results, welcoming new Board...

Lexington, KY - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that 31 USDF members successfully completed the USDF “L” Education Program between July and December, 2010. The USDF “L” Education Program is designed to prepare candidates to enter the United States Equestrian Federation “r” Judges Training Program, to qualify individuals to judge schooling shows, and to give competitors, trainers, and instructors greater insight into the evaluative techniques of judging...

OKLAHOMA CITY - Horses considered as gypsy cob, gypsy vanner and other similar types are now eligible for registration with the Pinto Horse Association of America. Relaxing the rules on draft characteristics, the PtHA is offering a new classification of equines. According to the new rules, horses showing feathers on their legs are now acceptable as long as they are registered with an approved outcross breed association as determined by the PtHA Rule Book and meet the standard color requirements...

Lexington, KY (November 12, 2010) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that Naomi Martin of Brooks, OR, has been selected as the recipient of the 2010 USDF Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by The Paddock Saddlery and sponsored by the USDF Youth Programs Advisory Subcommittee. This prestigious award honors one outstanding youth volunteer who has contributed on a national and local basis to USDF and dressage. As the recipient of this award, Naomi’s...

Lexington, KY (November 5, 2010) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has just launched its new USDF e-Membership. This membership is an online educational membership (non-competing) featuring e-TRAK, an online center that provides unlimited access to a searchable database of articles and videos on equine healthcare, training, and more. In addition to e-TRAK, e-Members will be able to access the online USDF Connection, USDF’s member-only magazine, and enjoy discounted memberships with...

The U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup is in the final stages of planning for the very exciting 2010 International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup competition, to be held October 6-8 in conjunction with the Kentucky Fall Classic Horse Show at the Shelby County Fairgrounds. This year’s event will be the largest Saddle Seat World Cup event in history as U.S. Team will be taking on three- and five-gaited teams from Canada, Germany, Great Britain and South Africa. In addition to the...

Jennifer Alfano won multiple top ribbons on the first day of the Buffalo International Horse Show, i (Lauren Fisher/PMG) Buffalo, NY - September 15, 2010 - The 64th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS) began competition today at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) in Buffalo, NY. The horse show will host a number of special classes in their large indoor arena through Sunday, September 19, featuring great prize money and exciting competition to benefit the BTRC and its...

Lexington, KY (September 15, 2010) - The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce and congratulate its new USDF Certified Instructors from the testing held August 6-8, 2010 in Mt. Holyoke, MA. The USDF Instructor Certification program is designed to set a standard of excellence in dressage training and instruction in the United States and to educate dressage riders, instructors, and aspiring instructors. New USDF Certified Instructors include; Jennifer Verharen of Vashon...