Steffen Peters with Legolas 92 (Lindsay McCall for HorseGirlTV.com) Del Mar, CA - Once again the 2013 Rancho Valencia Dressage Affaire CDI-YJ3* held at the Del Mar Horse Park was packed with competitors. Unfortunately, the inclement weather made for creative changes to the dressage show schedule. Without the use of the outdoor rings, the show was moved indoors and proceeded as promised. The CDI classes featured many of the top riders in the U.S. showcasing their finest of mounts. For the...

Sigrid Wolff and Kodaly, owned by Alex Holland (Cavallis) Lexington, KY - Two observation sessions for the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program have taken place in Wellington, FL February 13-14 and Burbank, CA February 22-23. Between the two sessions, USEF Young Horse Coach, Scott Hassler, has been able to observe close to 40 young horses. The majority of riders attended the sessions with their personal trainers, allowing them to develop plans for their horses with the help of Hassler....

Darragh Kenny and Twister (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Week seven of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, sponsored by Hermès, began on Wednesday morning at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, with a win for Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Cavallo Farms, LLC's Twister in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumper speed class. Steve Stephens of Palmetto, FL, set the speed track for the 1.45m jumpers in the DeNemethy Arena at PBIEC. Fifteen entries...

No Worries and Devin Ryan (Flashpoint photography) Gulfport, MS - The Gulf Coast Winter Classic 's National Week saw a field of 21 jumpers gallop onto the breathtaking grand prix arena for the $10,000 Open Jumper Welcome class, but this week it would be No Worries, owned by Barbara Rowland and ridden by Long Valley, New Jersey native Devin Ryan, who would end up in the winner's circle. Of the twenty one entries, the class saw ten of the horse and rider teams go clean in the first round....

This week I want to update you about some exciting new programs coming in 2013 for Western Dressage enthusiasts. As this discipline continues to develop, more tests are available, more shows are available, and more award programs vie for participation. The show and clinic calendars are filling up for the year and so much is happening. In January our local WSH Zone added year end awards for Western Dressage following the inclusion of Western Dressage as a subdivision of Dressage on the...

Mark Bluman and G&C Blue (© ManciniPhotos) Wellington, FL - Mark Bluman (COL) and Gustavo Mirabal's G&C Blue earned an exciting victory in Friday's $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic at Equestrian Sport Production's Holiday and Horses competition. With their first win in a ROLEX FEI World Ranking Class, the pair beat out Lauren Hough (USA) and Ohlala with a lightning fast round. G&C Sacramento, owned by Anabel Simon and ridden by Luis Larrazabal (VEN), finished third....

The twenty second in a series of blog post from Michelle Binder With the Holiday, I have just a short newsy blog for readers this week. I for one am looking forward to what the New Year brings in all areas, especially video submissions for the virtual shows. It is an exciting and challenging time for everyone involved on all fronts, a time that requires courage, flexibility, willingness to share and learn from one another, as well as patience as WD emerges over time. Like Edison with the light...

The twentieth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder This week is all about news, news and more news. Never a dull moment in Western Dressage! This just out via a press release from WDAA: “The WDAA has been guided throughout by the leadership, strategy, and policies of its Board of Directors and Advisory Board, both of which are volunteer positions and provide their services without funding. Each are comprised of distinguished professionals from all facets of the equine...

Jacob Pope completes the Final Test at the Alltech National Horse Show aboard Patrick to win the coveted ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Lexington, KY - It was another fairytale day for Jacob Pope of Columbia, MD, during the 2012 Maclay National Championship for the ASCPA Alfred B. Maclay Horsemanship Classes. The Alltech National Horse Show, 129th Edition, welcomed 152 riders for the prestigious event. At the end of the day, it was 18-year-old Pope whose horsemanship...

2012 is nearly over. Show season is winding down and Western dressage organizations are gathering feedback from judges and competitors alike about tests, rules, shows and all things western dressage. Late fall is time for annual meetings for everyone and WD is on agendas all over the country. NAWD and WDAA are busy analyzing data and perfecting tests and rulebooks before the 2013 show season starts so more news will be coming from these fronts very soon. USEF and USDF will have more information...