The FEI Nations Cup Dressage Series pilot program kicks off this weekend in Vidauban, France with teams from 5 countries going for the title at the CDIO3*! Catherine Haddad has settled back into the US and NJ.com has a nice article/interview on what she is up to and what she hope to achieve now that she is back on American soil. Eurodressage.com has a piece written about "letting go" when riders lose the ride and how they move on. Love your mare and considering breeding her via embryo transfer? Choose the recipient well. A study shows how the size matters in the outcome of your foal! Pull up and chair and tune in Saturday to the running of the 138th Preakness Cup where Orb will attempt to become the winner the first Triple Crown title since 1978.

This week the Domain Equestre de Grands Pins, at Vidauban in the south-east of France, plays host to the opening leg of the much-anticipated pilot season for FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage Friday, 17 May. A total of five countries will field teams for this CDIO3* competition which will be followed by three further events over the coming months. The CDIO5* fixtures at Rotterdam (NED) and Aachen (GER) will stage legs on 20 and 27 June respectively, and the series will draw to a close at Hickstead CDIO3* (GBR) on Sunday 4 August.

Sabine Schut-Kery and her PRE (Pura Raza Espanola) Marques XXXVI she co-owns with Rhea Scott got the spring season off with a grand slam at the Del Mar National Dressage Show (April 26-29) dominating the FEI Division in the National show winning all three Prix St Georges classes. With up to 25 horses in each class, Schut-Kery and the 9-year-old stallion earned not only some of the highest scores on record for a PRE at that level but also for the show winning the High Point Award. Scoring a 70.7, 75, and 79.2% they impressed different judges in each class, including Stephen Clarke. “Every rider's dream is to have one time that special horse that is able to do the job with ease and good quality, “ said Sabine. “I consider myself blessed to have two amazing stallions, Marques and Alice Womble-Heitman's Sanceo .” After their big weekend, the California Santa Ana Winds kicked up devastating fires threatening many homes, farms and horses in their region. Sabine and her husband went into rescue mode evacuating all the horses.

The Swedish chef d'equipe Bo Jena put his arms in the air in front of the Swedish flag. He had all reasons to do so. Both Patrik Kittel (77,350%) and Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (80,525%) had just finished on the in the 60.000 Euro Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Axel Johnson Group. Second place was taken by Isabell Werth and Don Johnson (80,125%). 'During the warm-up I had prepared Don Auriello so that he would be fresh and active in the competition arena. It paid off, but I was really riding him on the edge. He had so much power I was afraid I would lose him', Tinne said in the press conference. 'Tinne and Don Auriello did a super job', Katrina Wüst (judge at C) said. 'The combination is so harmonious. Isabell's freestyle has a slightly higher degree of difficulty and that is why I had her placed on the number 1 position'. Asked for his review of the freestyle, Patrik Kittel said he was very happy that contrary to the GP they had only a few mistakes.
 
WDM Jiva Hill Youth Challenge 2013