Two-time World Driving Championship silver medalist Chester C. Weber of Ocala, FL, won the FEI Four-in-Hand division at the 2012 Live Oak International (www.PicsOfYou.com) Ocala, FL - Live Oak International, the only equestrian event in North America to feature both world-class driving and show jumping, returns to Ocala, FL, from March 20 to 24, 2013. For more than 20 years, Live Oak International has been known for its international driving competition. This year, it will offer the highest...

Jeanine Cash and Lansing (Anne Gittins Photography) Wellington, FL - Lansing and Jeanine Cash had a clean sweep of the Adult Amateur 36-50 division during week one of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding, owned by Richard Schechter and trained by Gary Duffy, was unbeatable both days of competition, taking home the blue for every over fences class as well as the under saddle. Joe Maskrey's Winter Rose, ridden by Lynn Seithel, earned...

George "Joey" Gadd on his way to winning the Kentucky CVI3* Individual Male division (MacMillan Photography) Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce George "Joey" Gadd as the winner of the 2012 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award. Seventeen-year-old Gadd was selected from an outstanding group of youth representing their respective recognized breed and discipline affiliates from across the country. An avid vaulter from Saratoga, CA, he was nominated by...

McLain Ward and Zhum CW (© ManciniPhotos) Wellington, FL - Equestrian Sport Productions' Holiday and Horses competition began on Wednesday, November 28, at the beautiful Palm Beach International Equestrian Center with a win for McLain Ward aboard Ilan Ferder and Missy Clark's Zhum CW in the $10,000 Welcome Stake. The Holiday and Horses show will have top classes each day through December 2 and is rated CSI 2*-W, Jumper 5*, and "AA". On Thursday riders will compete in the $33,000 Holiday...

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...

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...

Woodside, CA - Derek di Grazia has done a substantial redesign of his cross-country course for the Woodside International Horse Trials, which will take place on Oct. 5-7, presented by Professional’s Choice and Equine Insurance of California. Di Grazia says he’s changed five combinations on the course for the featured CIC3* division, and he’s also made numerous alterations for the CIC2* and CIC1* divisions. “Because we did quite a bit last year, when Woodside became an...

The fourteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder The last several weeks I’ve talked about how to get started in western dressage. If you are curious, you’ve checked out the website, taken advantage of the free basic membership by becoming a member, read the rules, reviewed the tests, read the articles, participated in the Forum discussions, found WD groups on Facebook, visited YouTube and chatted with your friends about it. Maybe you’ve contacted your local...

Olivier Philippaerts and Cabrio Van De Heffinck, winner of the CN International Grand Prix. (Spruce Meadows Media Services) Calgary, AB - The biggest day in show jumping saw the youngest CN International winner in History in an exciting finale to the 2012 Spruce Meadows tournament season. With $1,000,000 on the line in the CN International Grand Prix, 30 horse/rider combinations entered the International ring. Round one, designed by Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) saw only one clear round through the...

The twelveth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Every day I field calls from people wanting to know more about Western Dressage. What is it? How do I find out more about it? Can anyone do it? Is it hard? Who teaches Western Dressage? Are there shows? Last weekend a few of our riders were invited to do a Western Dressage demonstration at the local dressage show. What struck me was the feeling of being out of place amongst my dressage friends because we were wearing our western...