Western Dressage clinics are rolling all over the nation. Here in the Pacific Northwest one clinic series has been endorsed by our USDF Region 6 Director, Donna Longacre. Her lifetime of experience in the dressage world combined with her judging experience in both dressage and western disciplines makes her uniquely qualified to comment on Western Dressage training and judging. I am so excited to have created a clinic series that carries such an endorsement as I continue to try to present...

This weeks blog comes to you from beautiful British Columbia Canada. I try to bring you news and fun stuff no matter where I am in the world. I have a perfect opportunity to share a Western Dressage story from a reader that has a Canadian link and I think you will enjoy it. Remember, if you would like to share your story, send it to me via email at [email protected]. When the perfect moment comes, I will share your story too! Dear Ms. Binder, In the USEF Weekly Newsletter for...

Bridgehampton, NY - Even though the Grand Prix Ring at the 37th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show is hosting five Olympic gold medalists and many other international stars this week, Friday morning’s jumper classes belonged to two teenagers whose eyes are set on similar accomplishments. Luis Larrazabal, 19, won the $15,000 Speed Derby, presented by Sotheby’s, and Victoria Colvin, 14, won the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Welcome Stake. Riding G&C Lepanto, Larrazabal, a native of...

See what Donna Ponessa had to say about her Grade 1a Team Test with Wesley Dunham's Western Rose. The pair scored 70.235%. On her first competition experience at the 2012 Paralympic Games: It was an amazing experience. At first I was a little overwhelmed the mare was a little tense. But all my teammates agree it’s another show with an Opening Ceremony and you can’t be thinking about anything but the foot fall and your job ahead so once I got that centered, it seemed to flow...

North Salem, NY - The inaugural Equitation Challenge took place amid much anticipation and fanfare at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows. Fifteen year old Lillie Keenan, New York, NY, and Chansonette Farm’s Monterrey were the shining stars and galloped away with the top prize. Style maven Martha Stewart looked on as the youngsters showed off their grace and ability. The Grand Prix field would take its toll on some exhibitors, with quite a few refusals on course, but those who navigated...

Charlotte Jacobs, 17, elected to donate the $3,000 bonus she won in the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion to Danny and Ron’s Rescue (Sportfot) Wellington, FL – Charlotte Jacobs, who claimed $3,000 in bonus money as part of the SSG Riding Gloves ‘Go Clean for the Green’ promotion, has donated her bonus to Danny and Ron’s Rescue. As the $1,000 weekly bonus had gone unclaimed the previous two weeks, Jacobs was awarded a bonus totalling $3,000 from SSG...

Saugerties, NY - Hunter riders at HITS-on-the-Hudson can now breathe easy with the first two rounds of the first ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final complete. The buzz, however, will pick back up tomorrow for the final two rounds when the first ever winner of the historic class will be crowned. “We saw a great group of riders today,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “And the best obviously rose to the top." Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas, California stole...

Lexington, KY - Every horse show exhibitor has a competition they most look forward to each year. For some exhibitors, the anticipation is due to outstanding facilities, while for others it’s management going far beyond the call of duty to make the show a memorable and fun experience for all involved. Still others say it’s the excellent competition that draws them to a particular show. Whatever the case may be, there is no doubt about it - there are some shows that rise above the...

Eligibility: The contest is open to anyone 13 to 19 years old who is a legal resident of the United States. Employees of the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., (and their immediate family members) are not eligible to win. Submission deadline: Entries are due August 3, 2011, 11:59 p.m. EDT via Facebook ( www.facebook.com/USEquestrianFederation - USEF Horse Drawing Contest). Instructions: Scan or photograph drawing and submit entry via Facebook (www.facebook/USEquestrianFederation)...

Ashley Charpentier and Buttercup (Photo by Robyn Keyster/PMG). Traverse City, MI - Another beautiful day greeted riders and their horses on the second day of the multi-series Horse Shows by the Bay equestrian festival in Traverse City, MI. In the Grand Prix Ring at Flintfields Horse Park this afternoon, jumpers excited fans with a series of power and speed classes. Ashley Charpentier rode Buttercup to a first place finish in the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class, while Kenzie Donovan...