by Jenny Simpson

Carrots & Cocktails would like to thank everyone who participated, volunteered, and came out to watch at the final Signature Series III Tournament of 2007, which was held at Anderson Ranch on May 5 and 6.

We have had tremendous support for our competitions and we hope everyone enjoyed themselves. We are in the process of planning our 2008 events; however, they will be very different due to the new competition structure being enforced by Dressage Canada.
continue reading "Carrots & Cocktails Show Series Raises Funds for Breast Cancer"

The inaugural UMH Gaited Versatility Challenge and Open Gaited Breed Dressage Show near Lexington, Kentucky, held the weekend before the renowned Rolex Three-day Event was heralded a success by organizers.

The competition was conceived by Margo Kirn who began riding gaited horses after decades of training Thoroughbreds for the racetrack and three-day eventing. She found that gaited horses were as athletic as any other breed of horse, and she wanted to highlight their talents in a three-phase event modeled after three-day eventing.
continue reading "Gaited Horses Enjoy Inaugural Three-day Event"

Canadian dressage riders earned top placings at the CDI-W/Y Burbank Festival of the Horse held March 29 to April 1 in California, U.S.

Despite the unfortunate backdrop of a brush fire, which crept up 150 acres of the Hollywood Hills, the competition continued without a hitch.

Young Rider Alexandra Duncan of West Vancouver, BC, dominated the Young Rider Division with her Holsteiner mare Elektra.

“It was a little nerve-racking having the fire so close to the grounds, but the show continued normally.”
continue reading "Canadian Dressage Riders Claim Ribbons in California"

Hello fellow dressage enthusiasts! The March 31 and April 1 Carrots & Cocktails Signature Series competition held at Anderson Ranch was a huge success. We hope that everyone had a great time. Below are the official results:
continue reading "Carrots & Cocktails a Great Mix"

by Deb Miskiw, Editor, Calgary Area Dressage Association Newsletter

Dressage Canada’s website has a list of riders who have been short- and long-listed to Canada’s Dressage Team. All of these riders are to be congratulated for making it that far.

However, until meeting some of these riders, I never realized the lack of support provided to our equestrian athletes.

I had assumed that as soon as a rider was “listed” there would be an entire set of activities (including financial support) initiated to make certain our horse and rider teams could best represent Canada. That’s not the case.
continue reading "Canada’s Dressage Team: Only for the wealthy?"

Alexandra Duncan of West Vancouver, BC (pictured left), represented Canada at the second annual FEI Young Rider Dressage World Cup Final, held December 15 to 17 in Frankfurt, Germany, finishing in fourth place overall.

In the opening class, the FEI Young Rider Team Test, held December 14, Duncan put in a solid performance aboard her 11-year-old Holsteiner mare Elektra, scoring 66% for fifth place.

“The team test went well. Elektra didn’t react too much to the ring, but it was amazing to be in there for the first time,” said Duncan.
continue reading "BC Rider finishes fourth in Dressage World Cup Final"

The final leg of the 2006 Canadian Performance Futurity classes were run with dressage and hunter classes held during the International Horse Show at the Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia.

The Thunderbird International Show is an Indoor show that features multiple disciplines such as hunter, dressage and show jumping. It is also host to several qualifiers and championships, and drew contestants from the lower mainland, Vancouver Island, and the British Columbia interior.
continue reading "Canadian Performance Futurity Wraps up First Year"