The Western Dressage world is abuzz with dressage talk. The hot topic of the moment seems to be progressive training, especially as it has to do with pyramids and scales. Pyramids are extremely stable structures that rely on strong, broad foundations and which rise to a point, a pinnacle if you will that represents a point of focus. Without the foundation, the pyramid loses strength. The intrinsic nature of the structure itself necessitates culmination in a point. The pyramid is the perfect...

August 3, 2012 (Blairstown, NJ) – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Verified status to Saddlebred Rescue, Inc. as of August 1, 2012. Verification means that Saddlebred Rescue meets the criteria of a true equine sanctuary/rescue and is providing humane and responsible care of the animals. To be awarded Verified status, an organization must meet GFAS’s...

The 2012 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team New Orleans, LA - In preparation for the 2012 Saddle Seat World Cup Competition in South Africa, the U.S. Saddle Seat Team attended their first practice, May 18-19 at Cascade Stables in New Orleans, Louisiana. This first practice session afforded riders the opportunity to prepare for World Cup competition. Team members had the opportunity to ride multiple horses unfamiliar to them, just as they will in South Africa. Additionally, this was the first time...

New Jersey’s Devin Ryan riding Roman Saluut won the $30,000 Vermont Summer Special Grand Prix, presented by The Equinox Resort and Spa, at the 2012 Vermont Summer Festival in East Dorset, Vermont. (David Mullinix Photography) East Dorset, VT - The Vermont Summer Festival returns to East Dorset, Vermont, for six consecutive weeks of competition thanks to the support of its generous sponsors. Running July 4 through August 12, 2012, the Vermont Summer Festival is the richest sporting event in the...

High Point and Reserve High Point Trakehner Mares from the 2011 ATA inspection at King's Windy Fields, Newmarket, Ontario. (K. Willemze) Newark, OH - The American Trakehner Association has announced 14 locations will host mare, stallion and young stock inspections in 2012, a number among the highest offered in the last decade. Inspections, held annually across the U.S. and Canada, provide the opportunity to present horses for approval into the ATA studbooks and offer spectators a glimpse into...

Steffen Peters and "Legolas" will look to continue their winning ways at Festival of the Horse CDI 3*/Y/J Presented by HorseShow.com (Terri Miller) Burbank, CA – For California riders set to compete in this weekend's Festival of the Horse CDI 3*/Y/J Presented by HorseShow.com, their Olympic dreams are beginning to take shape as they prepare to contest the third official qualifying competition on the West Coast for the 2012 Olympic Games Dressage Team Selection Trials. For these...

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America held its 2012 Annual General Meeting over the weekend of February 24-26, 2012 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Society members from across the United States enjoyed wonderful accommodations and excellent service at the Embassy Suites in this beautiful area. A packed-full agenda began on Thursday of that week and included such events as Society Board, business and committee meetings, informative clinics for all ages, award banquets and presentations, a field...

Wellington, Florida - The SSG Riding Gloves 'Go Clean for the Green' promotion returns for 2012, offering $60,000 in bonus money throughout the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival running January 11 to April 1 in Wellington, FL. Based on the overwhelming success of last year's inaugural sponsorship promotion, SSG Riding Gloves will once again offer bonus money in the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series, the Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic and the Junior Jumper High Classic...

Shelburne, VT — The American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) is pleased to announce its participation in the Equestrian Life “Learn to Ride and Drive in Style" campaign. Joining forces with the United Professional Horseman’s Association, American Saddlebred Horse Association and American Hackney Horse Society, AMHA is working to increase awareness of saddle seat riding and driving. Equestrian Life.com has partnered with the American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA), American...

The FEI has today given final sign-off on the footing that will be used for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events at Greenwich Park. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) conducted footing tests at a site near Preston in the north of England on 20 and 21 December 2011. The mix for the footing is now composed of non-waxed sand, felt and fibre. Testing of the new footing concluded on 21 December when international riders Geoff Billington...