Dear Rita,

Just before we left the good ole USA for Germany last week, one of the highlights of our American tour took place at the USET. George Morris, U.S. show jumping chef d’equipe, rode Winyamaro! Now, how cool is that?

Dear Rita,

My summer/fall journey to the United States is drawing to a close. Anna Pettersson, Winyamaro, Gizmo and I will all fly back to Germany next week and gear up for an intense show season through the end of 2011. The Salzburg CDI****, London CDI-W and Mechelen CDI-W are all on the roster for us.

Dear Rita,

The CDI-W at Devon has renewed and confirmed my faith in American horse shows!

I LOVE DEVON!

If you have not had a chance to attend the Saturday night freestyles at Devon, you have to put it on your Bucket List for next year. Dressage becomes a spectator sport in the Dixon Oval. This show has an atmosphere like no other, and that’s coming from yours truly who has shown at the greatest venues in Europe. Go to Devon for top sport!

Dear Rita,

Very often in my blogs, especially in videos, you hear me praise a show and tell you that it is one of my favorites. After attending a show a few weeks ago that failed to make it on my “Favored Show” list, I thought it might be interesting to write about what makes a show enjoyable for competitors—besides winning of course.

Three elements make or break a show for me: Footing, Stabling and Organization. I am going to use the Dressage At Devon CDI-W 2011 as a prime example of what to look for in a great horse show.

Dear Rita,

The USEF Dressage Festival of Champions was a well-fought competition this year for our Pan American Games Selection Trials. I think this is the best team the United States has ever selected for the PAG. We can be very proud to send these horses and riders to Mexico next month: Steffen Peters with Weltino’s Magic, Heather Blitz with Paragon, Cesar Parra with Grandioso and Marisa Festerling with Big Tyme.