There is nothing like Aachen. Even on a quiet year, even without Isabell Werth, the excitement of being at the number one horse show in the world surpasses all events except perhaps the World Equestrian Games. Dressage at Aachen began with the Prix St Georges class where many of the up and coming horses for the future were presented to the judges’ panel with Stephen Clarke at the helm at C. We did not see earth shattering scores but there were moments of brilliance in several of the horses presented with German Brigitte Wittig on Blind Date, a Hannoverian mare by Breitling X Donnerhall winning the class with a 73.474.

Young Dressage rider, trainer, and competitor Meaghan Byrne has moved to Vechta, Germany to work for international rider and competitor Catherine Haddad. Byrne has sharing her experiences with DressageDaily. Please continue to stay tuned in as Meaghan tells of her time at Aachen.

Day 1- Aachen - We Have Arrived

With the horses settled, the equipment unpacked, and the American flag hung high the US riders prepare for one of the most prestigious competitions in the world, CHIO Aachen.
Photo: Meghan Byrne and DressageDaily's Mary Phelps at Aachen

Ticket Sales Set to Begin on September 25, 2009

LEXINGTON, KY—Ticket prices and detailed competition schedules for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are now available as the world’s most prestigious equestrian competition prepares to visit the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25-October 10, 2010.  Ticket prices and event start times have been finalized for the eight world championships, which are being held outside of Europe for the first time in their history. Tickets will go on sale September 25, 2009, exactly one year before the Games arrive in Kentucky. Approximately 600,000 tickets will be available with prices starting as low as $25.

WILLIAMSTON, MI – Forget the gloomy Michigan economic news. This summer, there’s a bright spot just a half hour east of the state’s capital. In the charming town of Williamston, Michigan, the Copper Creek Dressage Series is growing and thriving.  “We have been absolutely delighted with the participation and the success of our first two shows,” said Show Manager Sandy Hunt.  The Spring Dressage @ Copper Creek show in May began with an excellent roster of competitors and the June Dressage @ Copper Creek show filled all stalls with an increased number of horses and exhibitors.

One of the most acclaimed dressage competitions in the world continues into the Fourth of July weekend at the Aachen CHIO. Representing the US in Dressage are Steffen Peters on Ravel and Catherine Haddad on Cadillac 35. Hot off their win at the Rolex FEI World Cup Final in April, Peters and Ravel are prepared to keep their impressive winning streak alive, having only ever been beaten at two competitions in their Grand Prix career – one was the 2008 Olympic Games where they finished fourth individually. While Peters beat the multiple freestyle Gold Medalist Anky Van Grunsven at the World Cup who competed Painted Black, it will be her Gold Medal horse Salinero, Peters and Ravel will be meeting since the Olympic Games in Hong Kong.

Providing riders and trainers a holistic approach to communication with their equine partners

Betsy Steiner is a woman with a dream.  Her vision for dressage includes the development of mind, body, and spirit for all horses and riders. Betsy’s dream to provide the catalyst for this transformation was realized when the first in a series of dressage retreats was held June 11-14, 2009 at the beautiful Buxton Farm, nestled half way between New York and Philadelphia.