2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Thanks International Polo Club Palm Beach for Continued Support

  • Save
Margaret Duprey's Otto, ridden at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by Todd Flettrich. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – February 21, 2011 – The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach, which forms part of the world’s most prestigious dressage series, will take place on March 9-11, 2011 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL. The preservation of WDM Palm Beach is due to the generous and enthusiastic support of its presenting sponsor, International Polo Club Palm Beach.

When it was announced that the 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach was to be cancelled, it appeared that the world’s richest dressage competition would disappear from North America. However, the Goodman family, International Polo Club Palm Beach and its members stepped in quickly to ensure that the show would go on. “In my talks with Mr. Goodman, he showed a profound interest in not only saving the Masters for 2011, but to extend IPC’s commitment for the long-term,” says WDM Managing Director John van de Laar. “WDM, IPC and Wellington Classic Dressage created a three year agreement, so from now on it can only get better.”

A dressage competition sponsored by a polo club isn’t as odd as it sounds. Events featuring dressage, such as the breast cancer fundraiser Challenge of the Americas, have been held at the International Polo Club for the past number of years. Approximately 20 percent of IPC members are involved with dressage in South Florida, including International Dressage Rider Arlene ‘Tuny’ Page.

“When the WDM CDI5* was cancelled along with a 3* CDI in March, a significant void in The US international dressage scene was created,” says Page. Both competitions are now being produced by Wellington Classic Dressage at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. “Thankfully,” continues Page, “the dressage community in South Florida was strong and ingenious enough to tackle that void by reaching out to possible sponsors.  The result is that we now have strong backing for what will be a truly world class CDI5* with a CDI3* run alongside! This is an example of how deeply committed our local community is to forging ahead with developing an international venue for dressage.”

“I am very excited that someone in the community has stepped up to the plate to uphold the WDM Palm Beach,” says IPC member Margaret Duprey, whose horse Otto, ridden by Todd Flettrich, was on the 2010 US WEG Dressage Team. “It’s an event that has been enjoyed by far more than just the dressage community. To be able to come to a place like Wellington and to have such a great variety of disciplines all within ten minutes of one another makes this a very special place,” says Duprey. “I don’t think you can find anything like it, with such international quality of horses and riders, anywhere else in the United States.”

  • Save
Ice Skating and Dressage demonstration at the International Polo Club Palm Beach during the Challenge of the Americas. Photo Credit: Phelps Media Group.

Besides the fact that both dressage and polo are equestrian sports, they share another important feature: both are ancient sports that have survived to the present day. Polo and dressage pre-date the Christian era, making them the oldest of all modern equestrian sports. They also share military roots; having both developed on the battle field, modern polo and dressage are highly sophisticated manifestations of their ancient ancestors. The power and beauty of horses make modern equestrian sport unique among spectator sports. Watching equine and human athletes at close hand as they perform together in harmony and at the peak of their abilities is a memorable experience for the aficionado and newcomer alike.

The WDM Palm Beach will bring together some of the world’s most successful international riders and their horses, including Olympic and World Championship medalists, to compete for 100,000 Euros in prize money over three exciting days. For information about tables and tickets at the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Fast Facts:

What: North America’s only CDI5*, and part of the richest dressage series in the world. Up to twenty of the world’s top dressage stars will compete for 100,000 Euros in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach.

When:

Wednesday March 9th, 1:00 pm: CDI5* horse inspection

Thursday March 10th, 1:00 pm: CDI5* Grand Prix

Friday, March 11th, 1:00 pm: CDI5*Grand Prix Special

Friday, March 11th, 6:00 pm: CDI5* Grand Prix Freestyle

Where: Jim Brandon Equestrian Center – Okeeheelee Park South, 7500 Forest Hill Blvd,

West Palm Beach, FL 33413

Producer: Wellington Classic Dressage – www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com – Noreen O’Sullivan 561-714-9026 or John Flanagan 561-714-9058.

WDM Palm Beach Presenting Sponsor: International Polo Club Palm Beach

Additional WDM Palm Beach Sponsor: Akiko Yamazaki

WDM Presenting Partner: Axel Johnson Group

WDM Official partners: team EXQUIS, Moorland Investments and Moorland Stables, Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe

WDM Official supplier: Jerich International

WDM series 2011: 425,000 Euros in prize money awarded at four individual events: Palm Beach (USA), Munich (Germany), Falsterbo (Sweden) and Hickstead (England).

Ticket pricing and information: www.internationalpoloclub.com Maria Feola at 561-282-5334 – mfeola@internationalpoloclub.com – or Julie Pickens at 561-282-5343. Ticket prices begin at $150, including a five course gourmet French meal catered by International Polo Club Catering. A limited number of general admission tickets are available at a price of $80. They must be purchased on line and in advance.

Parking: Valet if desired.

Media Contacts: Mason Phelps 561-371-0118 or Karen Robinson 561-383-1425

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

One thought on “2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Thanks International Polo Club Palm Beach for Continued Support”

Leave a Reply