Welcome to 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 challenging moments on their journey...

Shane Sweetnam and Fineman (Shawn McMillen) Lexington, KY - The Rolex Stadium was full of excited spectators as they gathered on Hats Off Day to watch the country's top horse and riders compete during the $50,000 Rood & Riddle Grand Prix. The international riders gave them exactly what they were looking for: an exciting tiebreaker between five-horse and rider combination dashing to the finish. In the end it was Ireland's Shane Sweetnam and his new mount Fineman that led the victory...

Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z (Phelps Media Group, Inc. International) Lexington, KY - It was another picturesque day at the Kentucky Horse Park as the Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumpers took center stage in the Rolex Stadium. Only two riders produced perfect rounds in the High Junior Jumpers, and it was Katherine Strauss and Chellando Z who had the time in the jump-off to capture the win. In the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers Haley Schaufeld aboard Harley 86 won a foot race between five riders....

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...

Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run's Eternal (Mary Adelaide Brakenridge) Parker, CO - The crown jewel of the Summer in the Rockies six-week series, the $50,000 Parker Adventist Hospital Grand Prix, was held on Saturday afternoon. It was Military Day at the Colorado Horse Park, honoring and welcoming military and first responders to enjoy family activities and great show jumping. Title sponsor Parker Adventist Hospital was on hand for helmet fittings and distribution of free riding helmets to...

Kelsey Thatcher and Balougris SL Z slice the second fence in the jump-off round (Phelps Media Group) Parker, CO - Show jumping returned to the Kathy and Brad Coors Family Grand Prix Arena at Summer in the Rockies VI at the Colorado Horse Park. Highlights of the day included the $2,500 1.30m Open Jumpers and the $2,500 1.40m Open Jumpers. In the 1.30m Open Jumpers, seven of the 13 horse and rider combinations that took on international course designer Danny Foster's course progressed to the...

Dressage Young Rider Individual medalists: Devon Wycoff (Reg 5), Bronze; Ayden Uhlir (Reg 6), Gold; Jamie Pestana (Reg 7) Silver (SusanJStickle.com) Lexington, KY – Dressage riders completed their tests for Individual medals today at the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). Taking home the Gold medal in the Young Rider division was Ayden Uhlir (Region 6) on Sjapoer. The Gold medalist in the Junior division was Lindsey...

Jennifer Bauersachs aboard Seriously, pictured with husband Rolf Bauersachs, are presented as winners of the $5,000 NEHJA Hunter Derby on July 18 at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT — Jennifer Bauersachs guided Seriously to his first hunter derby victory on Thursday evening, July 19, at the Vermont Summer Festival running through August 11 at Harold Beebe Farm in East Dorset, VT. Bauersachs and Seriously led the field going into...

Traverse City, MI - Martien van der Hoeven may be just getting to know Zeldenrust Z, but their relationship proved strong enough to generate a commanding victory in the $2,500 CMJ Sporthorse 1.40m Speed Stake, the featured jumper class Thursday at Horse Shows by the Bay. Van der Hoeven, of Augusta Pines Farm in Spring, TX, went second-to-last with Zeldenrust Z in the 13-horse field and topped speedsters David Beisel and Ammeretto for the blue ribbon by 1.3 seconds. As the only competitor to...

Ashlee Bond and Agrostar shined in round one and braved the rain in round two for their win in Saturday’s $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB – Ashlee Bond (USA) and Agrostar earned an exciting victory in the $33,000 ASHCOR Technologies Cup 1.50m competition on Saturday during day three of the ‘Pan American’ Tournament at Spruce Meadows. The pair led a five-horse jump-off out of 37 competitors to win over Canada’s Kara Chad and...