The thirteenth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder With growth comes ‘growing pains.’ The situation surrounding Western Dressage becomes more complicated with each passing day. More and more shows are offering WD classes with tests from several sources. YouTube watchers see a huge variation in the WD videos presented there. At least three different rulebooks now grace cyberspace and you can read articles and letters to the editor in national and local magazines. The...

Lilly Ulrich and Monetenegro garnered the Grand Junior Hunter Championship at the 66th Buffalo International Horse Show. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Buffalo, NY - The final day of the 66th Buffalo International Horse Show got underway this morning at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. The day was filled with fierce competition as horse and rider combinations vied for the top honors in their respective divisions. The Junior, Pony and Children's Hunter divisions concluded their second day of...

Peter Leone and Lincourt Gino fly into The American Gold Cup Winner's Circle North Salem, NY - Peter Leone, aboard Lincourt Gino, sailed to the win as the only double clear horse and rider combination in the starting field of 29 at the $200,000 American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, on Sunday. The day dawned cool with fluffy clouds dotting the sky, while the wind billowed the tents dotting the show grounds. The weather throughout the week in North Salem has been ideal for...

Lezirias, Portugal - On Sunday all three U.S. drivers completed the cones phase of the FEI World Driving Championships for Singles, securing a sixth place team finish. This strong finish demonstrated a marked improvement for the U.S. Driving Team after having placed 11th at the 2010 World Championships. Leading the U.S. individually was Sterling Graburn, who completed his second World Championship in 22nd place. Germany claimed the Team Gold medal, while Switzerland grabbed Silver and The...

Tracy Fenney and MTM Centano fly to first in the Double H Farm Jumper Classic North Salem, NY -Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas, came away with the win in the $35,000 Double H Farm Classic 4* on Saturday at The American Gold Cup. The weather was crisp and clear as the horses and riders took to the field at the picturesque Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY, and by mid-afternoon the wind picked up and the flags snapped in the gusts of wind. Fenney said she was hesitant to come and ride against...

Jennifer Gurney and The Other Brother won the $3,000 Johnson Horse Transportation National Hunter Derby at the Buffalo International Horse Show. (Anne Gittins Photography) Buffalo, NY - It was a quiet morning in the city of Buffalo, with a cool breeze welcoming the start of the fourth day of the Buffalo International Horse Show. Although the community was quiet, the Buffalo Equestrian Center was packed with a full hunter/jumper schedule with events in the morning and continuing well into the...

Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm's Cedric set a blazing time of 42.53 seconds, riding to the victory in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Switzerland. (SportFot/GCT) Lausanne, Switzerland - The GCT championship race intensified dramatically tonight with only five points between Edwina Tops-Alexander and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson after one of the most electrifying Grand Prix of the season. American rider Laura Kraut won the first-ever Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Switzerland on the...

Rusty Stewart and Bristol San Juan Capistrano, CA - The Blenheim Indoor Arena was bursting at its seams this evening during the $50,000 Blenheim World Cup Grand Prix, presented by Summit General Insurance Agency. Spectators filed in by the bus loads and with standing room only, equestrian fans of all ages got to witness the veteran rider Rusty Stewart and his incredible 10-year-old mount Bristol ride a perfect round and win his second consecutive World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix. The pair has...

Lezirias, Portugal- The United States sent three drivers onto the marathon at the FEI World Driving Championships for Singles. The U.S. team now stands in eighth place after the completion of competition on Saturday that saw drivers navigate through eight hazards. Sterling Graburn (Georgetown, KY) and Larry Denny’s 11-year-old Dutch Harness gelding Ulano made an accent up the leaderboard following a speedy marathon phase. The 2012 USEF National Single Horse Champions posted a blistering...

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...