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...

Christine McCrea and Romantovich Take One win The American Gold Cup Qualifier North Salem, NY - Christine McCrea jumped ahead of the competition Friday to place first in the $50,000 American Gold Cup Qualifier at the picturesque Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. The day was clear and warm to welcome the 50 entrants to the final class of the day on the spectacular grass Grand Prix field. Six entries went clear and headed to the jump-off. McCrea had the winning time with 40.830 seconds aboard...

Lausanne, Switzerland - Fifty top riders from 22 nations will be competing for victory at GCT’s debut event in Switzerland this weekend - with plenty of surprises on the social side and a focus on delivering an eco-friendly event. The Global Champions Tour Grand Prix will kick off from 1800 on Saturday as the best in the world compete for a share of the €285,000 prize money and for a chance to win points to move up the ranking board as the championship heads for its climax in two...

John Simpson, President and CEO, Cana Group of Companies presenting the winners’ trophy to Michael Whitaker. (Spruce Meadows Media Services). Calgary, AB - The sun was shining on the International ring for the Thursday of the 2012 Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. Forty one horse/rider combinations walked through the clock tower to compete for the 1.50 meter ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup. With 5 combinations moving into the jump off, Christian Ahlmann (GER) took home first...

Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...

Lexington, KY - The following riders have been named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to represent the U.S. in Nations Cup competition at the Spruce Meadows "Masters" Tournament held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on September 8, 2012. A change to the team has been made as Ashlee Bond will be replacing Lauren Hough. The United States will be represented by the following four riders who have each been entered on either one or two horses: Ashlee Bond (Hidden Hills, CA) on Little...

Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville (Shannon Brinkman) Stamford, England - On a day when quick clear rounds were at a premium, Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, NJ) proved that she is amongst the best in the sport as she maintained her dressage lead at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Halpin is competing at the historic event on a Land Rover Training and Competition Grant and has spent the summer honing her skills in England as part of the program. Captain Mark Phillip’s demanding cross...

Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville sit in first place with a score of 36.3. (StockImageServices.com) Stamford, England - The U.S. riders made a bold statement after the first two days of dressage at The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials slotting three riders into the top 15. The three Land Rover Competition and Training Grant recipients who have spent the summer training and competing in England produced top tier results in the first phase. Sinead Halpin (Oldwick, NJ) and Allison Springer...

Wayne, IL - The 2012 USEF National Dressage Championships came to a conclusion Sunday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center with champions crowned across three divisions. Intermittent rain could not dampen spirits as final competition was held in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today, the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships and the USEF National Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage Championship presented by The Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales...

Major equestrian competitions attended by U.S. athletes, both domestic and overseas, are listed in this weekly preview. Please look below to find competition listings by discipline* and breed. We hope you will follow the competitions that most interest you, but check Equestrian Weekly on Monday for a report of any top finishes by U.S. Equestrians. *lists of competitions in all international disciplines will include only FEI competitions or USEF Championships within the USA and international FEI...