Lexington, KY - Riders4Helmets.com has teamed up with leading helmet manufacturers to host International Helmet Awareness Day 2013 on Saturday June 22nd. Building on the success of International Helmet Awareness Day 2012, participating retailers all over the world will be offering discounts on helmets to equestrians on this day. "We are absolutely delighted at the growth of the event since it was first held as a US based National event in 2010," said Lyndsey White, Riders4Helmets. "To be in our...

Lexington, KY - President Lee Vulgaris announced this week that the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) has officially named Sally Walker as its new Executive Director. The association president stated that Walker was chosen to serve as the organization’s Director from over 70 candidates elicited through a nationwide search. Walker comes to PFHA with extensive leadership experience in the nonprofit, corporate, and private business worlds. She is also a lifelong horsewoman. Most recently,...

The eighteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder The latest addition to the Western Dressage information network is a new Facebook page dedicated exclusively to calendar events around the nation. The new page is called, appropriately, “Western Dressage Shows & Events” and is maintained by Vaquero Training Center in Connecticut. The page is designed to keep Western Dressage enthusiasts informed about what is going on all over the country. It is a brand new FB...

Walking up the steps from the mixed zone to the athlete seating takes 20 seconds. I have done it 29 times, after each ride. 29 times without a medal. Each time - the climb becomes more painful. We are trying, we are working, we are willing - we just aren’t winning. It is immensely frustrating. Our horses look great, our riders are well-coached, you can feel and hear their frustration when they make mistakes. My heart breaks for them when they don’t make mistakes and their best still...

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...

Makhnificent KA For thirty years Kehilan Arabians, owned and operated by the Rogers family and their associate Janice Bush, has produced a splendid and special Egyptian Arabian horse. In a show world where over 95% of all the American Egyptian Arabian horses bred and shown are heavily line-bred Nazeer, the Kehilan bloodline is much more focused on one of the original EAO outcrosses for Nazeer: Sameh. In the 1970’s the Sameh-bred horses that did show were superstars of the national show...

Lexington, KY - The search is underway for nominees for the 2012 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Sportsman's Award. The award recognizes young equestrians who exhibit exceptional leadership potential, serve as positive role models for their peers, demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the promotion of equestrian sport, are involved in their community, and exemplify positive sportsmanship principles. The overall winner of the 2012 USEF Youth Sportsman's...

Abigail McArdle and Cosma 20 won the High Junior Jumper Championship during both weeks of the Kentucky Spring Horse Shows. (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington, KY - The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows proved to be hugely successful for young rider Abigail McArdle of Barrington Hills, IL, who dominated the High Junior Jumper division with her eight-year-old mare Cosma 20. The unstoppable duo captured the division's championship award during the competition's two consecutive weeks, and also won...

Devon, PA - The Brandywine Valley Summer Series horse shows presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) is pleased to announce that the hunter/jumper competition's prize list is currently available online. The prize list and entry blanks are posted at www.brandywinevalleysummerseries.com . Entries for the Brandywine Valley Summer Series close on June 1, 2012. Held at the prestigious Devon Show Grounds, the Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by THIS will be a summer...

Steffen Peters and Ravel Sunday at CHIO Aachen (Photo: Ken Braddick/dressage-news.com). Aachen, Germany – Team USA wrapped up the 2011 World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen, Germany with more strong performances, including a second place finish for Steffen Peters and Ravel in the Grand Prix Freestyle CDIO and a win for show jumper McLain Ward on Rothchild. Peters and Ravel, owned by Akiko Yamazki and Four Winds Farm, stepped up their game today and gave the best dressage horse in the...