Welcome to a different kind of blog from WDAA! The purpose of this post is to allow the reader "into the heads" of both a trainer/judge/competitor, Karen Abbattista and her student, Deborah Herbert, a Florida WDAA member. We would like to share with you some moments in Deb's journey as she pursues her riding goals with her AQHA mare "GenuineArcticSpring", barn name "Belle". Please enjoy as you follow along with these posts that we consider interesting or challenging moments on their journey...

Andrew Bourns and Gatsby - (Cealy Tetley) Bromont, Quebec - July 28, 2013 - The International Bromont ended this Sunday July 28th with Irishman Andrew Bourns' stunning victory in the Quebec Original World Cup qualifying event, at the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park. The course, designed by world renowned Leopoldo Palacios (VEN), comprised thirteen obstacles for sixteen efforts, with a time allowed of 85 seconds. Only three of the twenty-eight participating pairs made it to the jump-off, as...

Lexington, KY - This weekend, FEI vaulting competition hits the United States’ East Coast. The inaugural CVI Lexington in Lexington, VA on Friday will be the first ever FEI vaulting competition held in an Atlantic coast state. “For many of our vaulters, longuers, and horses this is their first FEI event,” says CVI Lexington assistant manager Kim Beisecker. “The CVI1* was organized to educate East Coast vaulters on the requirements, regulations, and excitement of...

Alicen Divita (Shannon Brinkman) Lexington, KY - The U.S. effort at the 2013 CHIO Aachen kicks off Friday as vaulters take center stage at the historic German venue. The United States will be represented by six athletes across three divisions in CVIO3* competition held June 20-23. Alicen Divita, Elizabeth Ioannou, and Mary Garrett will look to earn top Individual Female honors, while in Individual Male competition Kristian Roberts is the sole U.S. representative. In Pas de Deux competition,...

Mary Lisa Leffler and Paulexi, LLC's Quastor Van De Helle Z clear the CWD oxer on their way to the win in the $25,000 CWD Grand Prix Conyers, GA - The Atlanta Spring Classic welcomed a record number of competitors to its opening week at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia which kicked off on March 20 and is set to run through March 30th. "We had to add rings and redo the schedule a bit in order for everything to run smoothly. We definitely accomplished that," said Classic...

Richie Moloney and Slieveanorra (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Whether it was the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick's Day or just natural skill and talent, the Irish riders were on a roll on the final day of competition for week ten of the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF), sponsored by Horseware Ireland. Richie Moloney and Equinimity LLC's Slieveanorra jumped to victory in the $33,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic to conclude the week's jumper...

Alise Oken and Teirra (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Twenty-one -year-old Alise Oken and Hi Hopes Farm, LLC's Teirra kicked off Friday's competition at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival with a win in the $2,500 RCG Farm High Amateur-Owner Jumper Power and Speed class in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). Week three of the FTI WEF runs January 23-27. The week will feature the FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge (FTI GCC),...

Todd Flettrich and Danseur Wellington, FL - The field for World Dressage Masters (WDM) CDI5* Palm Beach is almost set, and it is full of top dressage riders from around the globe. Thursday's Wellington Classic Dressage Sunshine Challenge Grand Prix CDI3* represents the last opportunity to join the field: 13 horses will vie for the remaining two spots. But after Wednesday's jog for the CDI3*, one of those 13 may have already lost his chance. Hopeful competitors presented the horses...

Peter Wylde and Zidane. (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - Week three of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) began with the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m speed class on Wednesday morning at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). The win went to Olympic gold medalist Peter Wylde (USA) aboard Windward Farm and Jessica Suida's Zidane, a nine-year-old KWPN gelding by Sam R x Cantos. Week three of the FTI WEF runs January 23-27. The week will feature the FTI Consulting...

Conor Swail and Carlotta Singular (Sportfot) Wellington, FL - The second week of competition at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) kicked off on Wednesday, January 16, with a win for Conor Swail (IRL) and Carlotta Singular in the $8,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Jumpers at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The second week of FTI WEF competition, sponsored by Wellington Equestrian Realty , will run January 16-20. Highlight events include the $33,000 Ruby et...