Shelburne, VT - AMHA is pleased to announce that starting January 1, 2014, its membership structure and associated benefits will be modified. The changes are a result of a nine-month research project conducted by the AMHA Membership Committee, led by Sara Foy and Mari Sanderson. Three surveys and a series of interviews with nearly 300 people targeting non-members, previous members, and current members were conducted. Starting January 1, 2014, AMHA will offer one class of membership with the...

I guess the beginning is a great place to start. I grew up in Maine, the oldest of five, to a father who was in the military and a mother who was a housewife until the youngest of my siblings was in Junior-High school. We grew up on the other side of middle-class, OK, we were poor. I grew up watching spaghetti westerns in black and white on Saturday afternoons. I always loved the intrigue of being a Cowboy, pushing cattle up the Chisholm Trail, fighting bad guys and Indians. Next to the pony...

One of the many wonders of Western Dressage is about the Journey. This Journey is one of education, growth, fun, friendships and of course, horses. Western heritage commonly references the tales shared out on the trail and around the campfire. These tales could be life changing experiences, important lessons, new knowledge, or just general fun. The Western Dressage Association® of America is inviting members to share the stories of their Western Dressage Journey. The WDAA is looking for...

A couple of top ranked NCEA teams traveled to Texas this past weekend and didn't escape with out scars on their records. Auburn lost its first match of the weekend to Texas A&M, K-State had a rough couple days, Georgia and South Carolina won big in their final home matches of the season, and Fresno State finally added a few marks to the win column. My quick recap of the weekend that was across the NCEA is below The Texas A&M Aggies looked like a revitalized team against Auburn on...

Katie Dinan and Glory Days (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Nineteen-year-old Katie Dinan and her brand new horse Glory Days were victorious in Friday night's $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix, presented by Dutta Corporation in association with Guido Klatte, during week six of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). In a nine-horse jump-off, Dinan and Glory Days won over Wilton Porter aboard Radio City and Adam Prudent riding Jack Daniels. Week six, sponsored by...

What is the equestrian demographic in North America? Surveys reveal it consists of women who, after a career, raising children, or both, have either returned to riding or are pursuing it as a life long dream. I fall into this demographic, having returned after both a career and children, and once again after major surgery. But where do we go to find training, a supportive community and a purpose in this endeavor? After much exploration, I was lucky enough to find Western Dressage through the...

Elizabeth Benson and San Remo VDL. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Washington D.C. - The 2012 WIHS Equitation Finals concluded Saturday evening with an exciting win for 18-year-old Elizabeth Benson of Whitehouse Station, NJ. Benson rode San Remo VDL, a twelve-year-old Latvian Warmblood gelding by Sudanas, through the first two phases of competition, finishing with a score of 89.33 in the hunter phase and a 91.17 point total in the jumper phase. Returning for the final work-off sitting in first...

Sydney Hutchins and Gaudi. (Shawn McMillen Photography) Upper Marlboro, MD – Forty-one qualifiers contested this year's THIS National Children's Medal Finals. After the initial round, the top 10 returned for a second round. Thirteen-year-old Sydney Hutchins of Westlake Village, CA, led from start to finish on Gaudi, owned by Taylor Harris (who, coincidentally, is not related to the sponsor). She scored a 90.5 in the first round and an 86.7 in the second round for a winning total...

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...

The third in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder I promised you last week I would share more about the informal surveys that have helped give Western Dressage a voice through NAWD, and given me good stuff to share with you. While we believe there is much common ground to be found between western and dressage, there are differences between Western Dressage and BOTH parent disciplines. As Western Dressage continues to develop into a unique discipline in this country it is imperative...