The ninth in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Western Dressage is a new and growing discipline in the horse world. People are talking about it everywhere. At North American Western Dressage we answer questions every day about what it is, how you do it, what you wear, what your horse wears, bits, reins, helmets, levels of tests and competition, movements and how you do them and a myriad of other things. Answering these questions could be a full time job for any one of our...

Lexington, KY - The Alltech National Horse Show announced today that this year's show has added a variety of exhilarating American Saddlebred events to the agenda for the 2012 show, joining the top flight show jumpers and world-class hunters classes already on the schedule. Following a successful debut last year, the second edition of the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, is set for October 30 through November 4, 2012. The show will once again be held at the Alltech Arena...

Hi Lite and Madeline Schaefer Live the High Life, Taking Grand Pony Hunter Championship Lili Hymowitz and Rafael Pose for the Grand Pony Hunter Reserve Championship Photo Lexington, KY – It was the crowning of the champions today at the Kentucky Horse Park as the 2012 US Pony Finals and US National Pony Hunter Champions completed their fifth day of competition. It was the Large Pony Hunter Over Fences that dawned on the Walnut Arena early this morning, and Madeline Schaefer and Hi Lite...

Valentino and Aleece Jarman Capture Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship at 2012 US Pony Finals Aleece Jarman Charms the Judges with Valentino, riding to Overall Green Grand Pony Hunter Championship Madeline Schaefer and Frosted capture the Green Grand Pony Hunter Reserve Championship Lexington, KY- The fences were set as the second day of the Green Pony Hunter divisions entered the ring to showcase their talent over fences. The 2012 US National Hunter Pony Championships presented by...

Leigh Cofer and Breaking News made headlines with their NAL/WIHS Adult Hunter Classic victory at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - August 5, 2012 -It was the championship day for the Adult Amateur Divisions at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Riders and their top mounts approached the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park for the final day of the show, examining the courses as they prepared. The Adult Amateurs did not disappoint as they vied for the top...

Megan Davis and Modern rode to the top of the Large 16-17 Junior Hunter standings, taking home the championship award at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - August 3, 2012 - The morning riding conditions were pleasant for both rider and horse as the weather stayed bright but over-casted at the Stonelea Arena for the fourth day of the Kentucky Summer Classic. It was a championship day as participants prepare to take on the last three classes of their respective...

Lexington, KY - The following drivers have been named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to represent the U.S. in the 2012 FEI Four-in-Hand Driving World Championships, in Reisenbeck, Germany, August 15-19, 2012. The United States will be represented by the following drivers: James Fairclough (Newtown, NJ) Chester Weber (Ocala, FL) Joe Yoder (Zwartewaal, The Netherlands) Ed Young will serve as Chef d’ Equipe. Follow the 2012 U.S. Driving Team here .

Shawn Casady continues to hold the second place position behind Louise Serio for the $15,000 Hallway Feeds Leading Rider Bonus. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - It was a nail-biter on Sunday evening as Louise Serio and Shawn Casady vied for the top spot in the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. It is professional rider Louise Serio who continues to hold the lead after the third part of the 2012 $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby came to a conclusion on Sunday,...

Aaron Vale and Spirit of Alena rode to the victory in the Seven/Eight-Year-Old Jumpers at the Kentucky Summer Classic. (Kendall Bierer/PMG) Lexington, KY - Riders of the top caliber competed this afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park to commence the second day of the Kentucky Summer Classic. The Young Jumpers took center stage as the sun sat overhead the Rolex Stadium, competing in the Six-Year-Old and Seven/Eight-Year-Old Jumper classes. Christian Heineking and Aaron Vale captured today's...

The seventh in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder Before we learn to read we must learn the ABC’s. William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle (1593-1676) suggested an analogy between the education of a child and horse trainers who made unrealistic demands on young horses. Centuries ago he asked, ‘I would fain ask such stupid people, whether, by beating a boy, they could teach him to read, without first showing him his alphabet?’1 Systematic progressive training is not...