For anyone that lives in a coastal town the months of June - October have significant meaning to them; Hurricane season. With the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center issuing a pre-season Atlantic hurricane forecast that calls for 13 to 20 named storms, including 7 to 11 hurricanes in 2013, people that live in Coastal communities are constantly being reminded of Hurricanes from years past. We have been very fortunate that the past few years have been relatively quite for those living near the Coast, but we also know that at any moment we could get the news that something is brewing in the waters. Smart horsemen have a plan. DressageDaily thanks Jodie Kelly of Southern Cross Equestrian Center in Destin, Forida for sharing their 'routine'.

Dressage Judges travel. As competitors, we see them at the end of the arena doing their jobs, imparting their educated comments about how we are doing at a certain level. We have no idea how they prepared to be there, how they live from one weekend to the next, or the lessons they've learned over the years. So, we caught up with three judges who travel nearly every weekend to a show somewhere in the world and asked them how they arrange, assemble, adapt to the weekly traveling. Janet Foy, Natalie Lamping and MerriLynn Griffin all said the same thing: they have a similar simple routine in how to prepare to leave for a judging assignment. One bag is nearly always ready to go, filled with the same important essential items. Once the weather has been checked for the new destination, a color coordination of several outfits must be made with comfortable and stylish shoes. For judges the saying for dress used to be, “Skirt and pearls” but it has eased up a bit over the last several years. Today, it’s most important for judges to be dressed neat and clean, and appropriate for the weather, be that wind, heat, rain or freezing.

Riverhead, NY – Neue Schule Bits have created quite a stir on the dressage scene with the likes of top riders including Heather Blitz, Steffen Peters, Shannon Peters, and Betsy Steiner singing their praises. Pan Am Gold Medalist and London Olympic team reserve Heather Blitz states, “The lightweight design and fit are amazing, but mostly I just love how my horse goes in it.” Such remarks are common among those who test ride in the bits, which feature unique attributes unique to Neue Schule and high tech designs to ensure a comfortable fit for the horse.  Neue Schule has recently introduced two new Dressage bits. All of Neue Schule’s bits also are designed to address specific problems or tendencies a horse may display, be it coming above the bit, stiffness in the jaw, or any other issues. Dressage is testing enough, who couldn't benefit from a boost in confidence, including our horses? Now, for the horse who shirks from the bit -- leading a domino-effect of performance issues such as falling in/out at the shoulder, tightness in the jaw and poll, or fixing against the hand -- Neue Schule bits is putting the 'comfy' back in 'contact.'

Wellington, FL – From the West Coast to the East and everywhere in between, fashionistas know great style is all about staying current and ShowChic Dressage is no different. Summer's cool elegance is reflected in the look, feel and functionality of the premier boutique and website for the dressage world's favorite iconic brands for life in and out of the arena. The new website will bring the edge of high fashion and the value of free shipping throughout the summer. “Fashion is constantly being updated and changed,” says founder and president, Michele Hundt. “Our ShowChic website is now more current than ever with the latest in technology to better serve customers while staying fresh, fun and fashion-forward for dressage riders.” Heather Blitz, Shannon Dueck, and Shannon Peters would agree.