Nick Maupin is a 19-year-old student at the University of Wisconsin majoring in Business Marketing and plans to graduate in 2015. From Sussex, Wisconsin, he is on the five-gaited section of the 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team. It would not surprise any member of the Saddle Seat world to hear me say that the discipline is generally, along with Saddle Seat Equitation, a female dominated sport. Quite possibly the only time one will see a male majority in a class is in the Open divisions. Not...

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...

So we are closing in on the end of the Para-Equestrian Dressage portion of the 2012 Paralympic Games, with only two Freestyles left for the U.S. to perform. It has been an amazing experience for me so far and the icing on the cake would be a medal for our riders! We have come incredibly close on a few occasions but with two more opportunities we are still hopeful. Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale were so close on Saturday but had to settle for fourth, not bad in your first Paralympic...

Hunt Tosh and Lone Star sweep the first day of the Performance 3'6"Hunters at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - Looking forward to a warm, dry day after the first week of unpredictable weather, the Stonelea Arena saw a lineup of divisions from the morning's First Year Green Working Hunters to the Performance 3'6" Hunter divisions. The footing and course made for a congenial ride for all participants for the first day of the professional divisions....

A final assessment has been carried out on the all-weather footing at Greenwich Park, and given approval by the FEI. Debbie Jevans, LOCOG Director of Sport, who was present at the assessment, commented: “With support from the FEI, the contractors and our own team have done a great job to get the make-up of the surface right, and we now believe this will be a world class surface for the equestrian athletes in a stunning Olympic venue.” The surface was changed after last year’s...

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...

La Cañada Flintridge, CA - The future of dressage in the U.S. was on display this weekend as horses and riders contested the 2012 Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Western Selection Trials in La Cañada Flintridge, California. Held in conjunction with the Dressage at Flintridge CDI*Y/J, these combinations were vying for a spot on the USEF Young Horse Dressage Short List and attempting to qualify for the FEI World Breeding Championships that will be held in Verden, Germany later this...

Middleburg, VA - The first leg of the all new Taylor Harris Insurance Services $200,000 Triple Crown Challenge, America's richest rider bonus, is set for lift off just days from now at the legendary Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. This unique challenge offers a spectacular $200,000 top prize for any show jumping rider that can put together back to back to back wins on the same horse at three of the nation's most prestigious grand prix events. The first event of the Taylor Harris...

The inaugural FEI Sports Forum began on 30 April in Lausanne (SUI). (Photo by Edouard Curchod/FEI) Lausanne, SUI - On 30 April in the presence of more than 280 delegates representing 39 National Federations (NFs), Event Organisers, International Riders, Owners and OrganisersClubs, members of the FEI Technical Committees, veterinarians, sponsors, and media. “This day marks a new beginning for the International Equestrian Federation,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said in her...