The sixteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder In an attempt to acknowledge the current diversity within the discipline, show organizers have started offering exhibitors the opportunity to ride ANY test they want to ride, from any organization that has published tests. A buffet of western dressage is now available with something for everyone. The show organizers want to meet the needs of the competitors and in so doing really have taken the first step toward acceptance and...

Champion Megan MacPherson and reserve champion Hannah von Heidegger with Caraneen Smith of Bigeq.com (Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. ) Upper Marlboro, MD – The Capital Challenge Horse Show opened up competition today at the Show Place Arena. This is the first day of the Capital Challenge Equitation Championship Weekend, presented by Bigeq.com. The Capital Challenge Horse Show runs through Sunday, October 7. The North American Junior Flat Equitation Championship is a fun and competitive class...

Meg O'Mara and Vancouver Jacksonville, FL - The highly-anticipated third and final day of the first Southeast Medal Finals featured the ASPCA Mclay Region Three Finals. A group of 37 skilled riders determined to master Alan Rheinheimer's course competed for today's top prize. Traveling away from the in gate, the course opened with a bold oxer to oxer line. The track turned to the left and over a vertical on the far short end of the arena. From here the riders were asked to rollback to...

Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto D'Arco rode to the top of the leaderboard during the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - The lights were bright in the Rolex Stadium as the onlookers cheered on their favorite horse and rider combinations in a highly competitive 14-horse jump off. It was the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic that took center stage tonight, seeing a field of 50 entrants vie for the top prize and valuable series...

Aaron Vale and Tibor won the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix with a blazing speed, defeating Pablo Barrios for the winning title. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington KY - The Rolex Stadium was alive with excitement as 34 entrants competed in the $40,000 Kentucky Summer Grand Prix at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. It turned into a nail-biter as five competitors progressed into the jump-off with a clear first round effort. Trailblazer Pablo Barrios aboard Zara Leandra was the first to post a...

Paige Johnson and Chiron S won the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - Thunderstorms plagued the Kentucky Horse Park as riders gathered beneath the lights of the Rolex Stadium to compete in the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Paige Johnson proved to be the best of the best, controlling the jump-off with one of only seven double-clear efforts aboard Chiron S to lead the victory gallop. Shane...

(Sportfot/GCT) Chantilly, France - The youngest rider to be selected for the 2012 Olympic Games clocked up a victory at the 5* GCT in Chantilly Sunday. Reed Kessler, only 18 years old, rode a stylish, fast clear on 57.71 in the early morning Prix Vicomte Arthur over 1m45 fences beating experienced show jumping stars, including fellow American Mclain Ward. After the win on her horse Ligist - she will be riding Cylana at the London Olympics - Reed said: “It is my last show before I go to...

Lillie Keenan and Avalon (Rebecca Walton/PMG) Devon, PA - On the final day of the Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS), the Junior Hunter and Amateur-Owner 3'3" Hunter divisions wrapped up their competition. With multiple blue ribbons in the Large 15 & Under Junior Hunters, Lillie Keenan and Avalon took home the Junior Hunter Grand Championship. Earlier in the day, Tina Furey and French Kiss were the winners of the Amateur-Owner 36 &...

Lindsay Mutschler and Fielding won the Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. (AnLi Kelly-Durham/PMG) Devon, PA - As the Brandywine Valley Summer Series presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS), rolled into its tenth day of the heat wave, the Amateur-Owner Hunters attempted to beat the hot weather early this morning. Taking center ring for the day's first presentation was Lindsay Mutschler and Fielding, earning the Amateur-Owner Hunter...

Calgary, AB - The sun was shining on the Spruce Meadows International ring for day two of the 2012 National Tournament. With $32,000 on the line in the 1.45 meter ATCO Pipelines Cup, 67 horse/rider combinations took to the field. 11 riders made it through to the jump off on the 500 meter Guilherme Jorge (BRA) designed course with 15 jumping efforts. After a fast paced jump off, Richard Spooner (USA) rode into the winners circle aboard the 11 year old Dutch Warmblood mare Billy Bianca. Although...