The seventh in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Before we learn to read we must learn the ABC’s. William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle (1593-1676) suggested an analogy between the education of a child and horse trainers who made unrealistic demands on young horses. Centuries ago he asked, ‘I would fain ask such stupid people, whether, by beating a boy, they could teach him to read, without first showing him his alphabet?’1 Systematic progressive training is not...

Morocco and Lisa Goldman. Traverse City, MI - Opening Day of the 2012 London Olympic Games was celebrated in Red, White and Blue fashion yesterday during the final Saturday evening of the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. Spectators and Grand Prix riders competing in the $30,000 D-Braider Cherry Capital Classic Grand Prix participated in a "Good Luck Send-Off" for the U.S. Show Jumping Team competing at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Video and electronic...

Genevieve Zock won the 2012 USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic at the Kentucky Horse Park (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - As the sun began to set on the Kentucky Horse Park, the final work-off of the USHJA Hunterdon Cup Equitation Classic got underway. The prestigious championship prize was only a test away from being revealed, and four riders were vying for the top honors. It came down to Meredith Darst, Lillie Keenan, Hasbrouck Donovan and Genevieve Zock as they completed the final...

Victoria New and Fleeceworks Mystere du Val, Individual Gold medalists in Junior Eventing (Brant Gamma Photography) Lexington, KY - The Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championship concluded competition today after an extremely successful week. Eventing was the highlight with riders completing their stadium jumping phase to determine team and individual medalists. Five disciplines (a total of 9 championships for juniors and young riders) took part in the only FEI...

Abigail McArdle (Zone 5) aboard Cosma 20 take the Gold medal in the Junior Individual Show Jumping (Sportfot) Lexington, KY - The show jumpers and reiners finished today by naming two new individual gold medalists each at the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC), which conclude tomorrow at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Kilian McGrath and Abigail McArdle took gold in the Young Rider and Junior Show Jumping divisions...

Cosmo and Laura Pfeiffer. Traverse City, MI - Although Laura Pfeiffer has collected many blue ribbons during the Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival, there was one that had eluded her since the series started: the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix. Her wait ended today, however, when she guided Fox Meadow Farm's Cosmo to the top and bested a field of 30 horse-and-rider combinations to capture the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome Prix, sponsored by Positive Step Farm. "I've been...

Ken Berkley and Waminka claimed victory in the $10,000 Vermont Bird Place & Sky Watch Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 19, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, VT. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT – Ken Berkley of Flemington, NJ, captured victory in the $10,000 Vermont Bird Place & Sky Watch Open Welcome Stake, Presented by Manchester Designer Outlets, on Thursday, July 19, at the Vermont Summer Festival in East...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2012 12 for '12 media teleconference series concludes Thursday Final call to feature five-time Olympian equestrian Karen O'Connor, Paralympic track & field world-record holder April Holmes, USOC Chief of Sport Alan Ashley at 3 p.m. ET COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The United States Olympic Committee's 12 for '12 media teleconference series will conclude on Thursday, July 12 and feature two athletes ready to represent the U.S. in London - Olympic...

Celementina Brown and Isis won the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Championship at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Devon, PA - Soaring temperatures greeted the Adult Amateur Hunters today in the Dixon Oval during the Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS), but that did not stop the best horse and rider combinations from rising to the top. Leading the way was Clementina Brown and Isis, who garnered the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter...

Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (Susan J. Stickle) Gladstone, NJ - Four years ago, Steffen Peters and Ravel, then an inexperienced 10-year-old, won the 2008 Grand Prix National Dressage Championship at the Festival of Champions in California. That performance earned the pair a trip to the Olympic Games where they were fourth. Four years, an FEI World Cup title, a CHIO Aachen victory and two Bronze medals at the FEI World Equestrian Games later - Ravel was granted permission by the USEF selectors...