More showing chronicles. Not to bore you or to toot our horns, but to make you think. To ask questions. To reflect. Dressage training should make our horses more rideable, more comfortable in their bodies as riding horses, better in their minds, and keep them sound longer as our partners. At least that is what my trainers have taught me.Our rescue organization takes in horses, some with long histories of lameness, and through proper training, conditioning and development over time, return them...

Jenni McAllister and Casseur de Prix pull out all the stops to win the $30,000 LA International Grand Prix (Flying Horse Photography) Burbank, CA - The $30,000 LA International Grand Prix delivered on the promised thrills and chills when Jenni Martin-McAllister eked out the win on Casseur de Prix (Granville Equine, owner) in an electrifying jump off. “When I was running to the last jump, I knew I was close,” Jenni recounted. “I was thinking, ‘Come on, let’s...

Los Angeles, California - After placing second in last year’s Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West, 15-year-old Olivia Champ (Karen Healey and Michelle Morris, trainers) came back to win it all this year. “This is the most fun day at the horse show and the most amazing final in the entire country,” Champ remarked. “This final is really important to me because it really tests you as a rider and it’s all about how you can ride a jumper...

Los Angeles, California - Following the completion of Phases I and II of the Platinum Performance/USEF Talent Search Finals West Olivia Champ (La Canada Flintridge, California) holds the lead heading into Saturday’s final two phases. Phase I After a demanding Flat Phase where USEF Talent Search Final judges Jimmy Torano and Mandy Porter worked the riders in groups of eight, Olivia Champ (Karen Healey Stables, Trainer) took the lead with a strong score of 90. On her heels was Jayme Omand...

Burbank, CA - Judges Jimmy Torano and Mandy Porter wasted no time posing questions to the 33 riders who tackled the Gymnastics Phase of the Platinum Performance/ USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals West. The course started with a canter rail to a vertical with a landing rail, and the rail fell often. Riders then had to trot into a grid comprising a trot rail to a vertical then 23 feet to an oxer followed by 21 feet to another oxer. Hannah Von Heidegger (Will Simpson, trainer) found the best...

Kate Mullen & "Elnieta" win the HorseShow.com/CDS Dressage Seat Equitation Challenge on the first day of the CDS Championship Show (Jennifer M. Keeler) Rancho Murieta, CA - California is well-known as home to some of the best dressage horses and riders in the country, and many of those were on display as the first championship titles of the weekend were awarded today at the California Dressage Society (CDS) Annual Championship Show at the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA,...

Jordan Coyne and Lazaro (Randi Muster) Jacksonville, FL - Southeast Medal Finals got underway with entries doubled over last year's attendance. The Jacksonville Equestrian Center was abuzz with activity, with equitation and jumper classes featured in the indoor arena. For the Southeast Medal Finals $5,000 Welcome Stake, 26 horse and rider combinations tried their hand at course designer, Allen Rheinheimer's course. Ten completed the course with faultless rounds to return for the...

Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Jenni Autry) Unionville, PA - Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot lead the Advanced dressage on a score of 27.5 at Plantation Field Horse Trials after the first day of competition. Thursday saw the entire Advanced division complete their dressage tests, as well as about one-third of the larger CIC2* division. Burnett and Harbour Pilot, owned by Jacqueline Mars, represented the United States overseas at the Saumur CCI3* in France earlier this year and most...

Tracy Fenney and MTM Centano jump their way to a win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Culpeper to cap the Constitution Classic at HITS Culpeper (©ESI Photography) Culpeper, VA - HITS recently announced a Culpeper Finals schedule change moving the $10,000 USHJA Hunter Derby originally scheduled for Sunday morning in the Grand Prix Ring to Sunday afternoon in the Main Hunter Ring. The Culpeper Finals begin Wednesday, September 25. For a complete revised scheduled,...

The 2013-2014 NCEA begins on Friday when No.5 Kansas State takes a road trip to Blythewood. They’ll meet the No.3 Gamecocks in a marquee non-conference matchup before heading to Dover to face Delaware State. My quick look at both matches is below. No.3 South Carolina University vs. No.5 Kansas State University This trip to Blythewood will be a new experience for the Wildcats, none of whom have been to South Carolina for NCEA competition. The last time they met on the Gamecocks home turf...