Houston Dressage Society Spring Classic I & II CPEDI3* Kicks Off at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center

Courtney King-Dye at first CPEDI3* in Houston. Photo © 2012 Lindsay Y McCall

Katy, TX – April 26, 2012 – The inaugural day of the Houston Dressage Society Spring Classic I & II CPEDI3* kicked off with the FEI Para-Equestrian Jog. Fifteen horse and rider combinations stepped forward to be evaluated under FEI Veterinarian Dr. Mike Tomlinson and Technical Delegate Carlos Lopes, FEI “4*”, FEI PE “5*” (POR). Every Para-Equestrian horse passed the veterinary check securing each of their times for Friday’s Team Test competition. During the jog, equestrians showcased their best turnout and their efforts were rewarded. A $100 gift certificate to Horse of Course was given to the Best Overall Presentation at the Jog. Canadian and Grade Ia rider Jody Schloss and horse Inspector Rebus earned the award which was donated by Susan Peacock. The Houston Dressage Society (HDS) Spring Classic I & II CPEDI3*, sponsored by The COR Group, is one of the last competitions for United States individuals to qualify for the 2012 USEF Paralympics Selection Trials in June. With the prestigious show grounds and FEI Ground Jury, this is a favorable location for the United States and Canadian competitors to gain additional international experience before the London Paralympics. Running simultaneously with the CPEDI3* will be the CDI3*and CDI1* sponsored by North Texas Equestrian Center and $10,000 HDS Dressage Derby.

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Martin Takes Early Dressage Lead!

Boyd Martin - photo © Ben Radvanyi

Boyd Martin of the United States and Remington XXV set the standard on the first day of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bridgestone. All three judges placed him first, with a total of 45.3 penalties.

Karen O’Connor of the United States rode Veronica into second place (47.8), and Andrew Nicholson of New Zealand rode Calico Joe into third place (48.7).

Becky Holder of the United States, on Courageous Comet, is fourth (48.8).

Martin, 32, of West Grove, Pa., said that Remington XXV, 16, was one of the first horses he competed when he moved from his native Australia seven years ago. The Hanoverian gelding, owned by Henley House Stables, had only foxhunted before Martin began working with him.

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Top Field Ready to Compete in the CRI3* Open FEI Reining at the 2012 Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup

Pete Kyle & A Ruf Gal (Kim Russell/USEF)

Lexington, KY – For the second year running, the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is set to host many of the top names in the sport. Held in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park, reiners will spin and slide for top honors in the CRI3* Open FEI Reining on Friday April 27th and on Saturday April 28th the Reining World Freestyle Championship will be contested. The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup is once again being held in conjunction with the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone; resulting in an action packed weekend in Lexington.

All 20 horses that were presented to the Ground Jury at Thursday’s CRI3* Horse Inspection were accepted and will compete tomorrow.

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Martin and Remington XXV Seize the Early Lead at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event

Boyd Martin and Remington XXV (Photo by Shannon Brinkman)

Lexington, KY – Competition at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone officially got underway Thursday in the Rolex Stadium, with the first half of the order performing their dressage. With 28 combinations riding in front of the Ground Jury composed of Nick Burton (GBR), Michel Asseray (FRA) and Anne-Mette Binder (DEN).

Boyd Martin and Henley House Stables’ Remington XXV jumped out to the early lead and head the field on a score of 45.3. Martin (Cochranville, PA) and the 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding produced a near flawless test as the penultimate combination Thursday. The pair surged to the pole-position on the strength of fluid movement, bold lengthenings, and correct lateral work.

Martin was very pleased with his seasoned partner and their performance.

“We have done that test a number of times, so it was wonderful just to ride a horse that knew where he was going.”

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Top Judges Named for the First-Ever Southeast Medal Finals in Jacksonville

Wellington, FL – April 26, 2012 – The First Annual Southeast Medal Finals will take place on September 21-23 2012 at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. Sponsors are lining up to support this great new show. Highlights include the Southeast Junior and Adult 3′ Medal Finals, ASPCA Maclay Regionals and much more.

Hunter and Equitation judges will include Kip Rosenthal, Brian Lenehan and John Roper. Allen Rheinheimer and Fred Brown will serve as jumper judges.

Kip Rosenthal is an accomplished equestrian, who has ridden and trained with such familiar names as George Morris, Victor Hugo-Vidal, Bert De’Nemethy and more. As a respected R-rated judge in both Hunter and Hunter Seat Equitation, Rosenthal has judged many of the most prestigious competitions in North America.

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Dr. Cesar Parra Has High Hopes for the Future Thanks to Great Horses, Students and Success at Global Dressage Festival Shows

Dr. Cesar Parra and Van the Man competing at the Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup National Show. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL (April 25, 2012) – Dr. Cesar Parra and his team at Piaffe Performance have found great success at the winter circuit dressage shows held at the Global Dressage Festival, giving Parra high hopes for the future with his horses and team. The Global Dressage Festival, a brand new world-class facility in Wellington offering more than $275,000 in prize money, has thrilled dressage riders around the world with a 2012 circuit complete with international and national shows.

Para competed Van The Man, a ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Michael and Sarah Davis, at the Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup National Show, ending with a score of 72.447% in the FEI Grand Prix and a 73.322% in the Olympic Grand Prix Special. “I am very pleased with Van the Man’s performance in the FEI Grand Prix and the Olympic Grand Prix Special. I am looking for Van The Man to build more confidence and continue to become increasingly comfortable in the ring,” Parra said. “His raw talent is incredible, scoring over 72% in Germany. Through each show he is evolving into the magnificent horse we envisioned when he came to our barn earlier this year.”

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Para-Equestrians Prepare for Houston Dressage Society Spring Classic I & II CPEDI3*

Lauren Barwick and Off to Paris from Canada. Photo © 2012 Lindsay Y McCall for the USPEA

Katy, TX – April 25, 2012 – In two months United States Para-Equestrians will be vying for a spot on the United States Paralympic Equestrian Team heading to the London Games. With the United States Team qualified, Para-Equestrians have traveled to Houston, Texas for their last opportunity in the United States to qualify as an individual. The Houston Dressage Society (HDS) is pleased to host the Spring Classic I & II CPEDI3* sponsored by The COR Group at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center. Running concurrently with the CPEDI3* will be the CDI3*and CDI1* sponsored by North Texas Equestrian Center and $10,000 HDS Dressage Derby. Fifteen Para-Dressage horses and rider combinations will compete over three days including riders from the United States and Canada.

On Thursday, April 26, 2012, Para-Equestrian horses and riders will present their mounts for the exciting FEI Jog. On Friday, April 27, 2012, Para-Dressage competition will kick off with the Team Test, followed by Saturday’s Individual Test, and finishing with the musical Freestyle Competition and awards ceremony. Although many of the equestrian athletes have already earned their qualifying score for the 2012 USEF Paralympic Selection Trials, this will be one last opportunity to compete under international ground jury Kathy Amos Jacob (FRA), David Schmutz (USA), Kristi Wysocki (USA), and Carlos Lopes (POR). Lopes has been selected as part of the judging panel for the 2012 London Paralympics making this competition even more interesting.

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American Gold Cup Returns to Action at Old Salem Farm

42nd anniversary edition scheduled for North Salem, NY on September 12-16, 2012

Bradenton, Florida – April 25, 2012 – The American Gold Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious show jumping events, returns to action in September at its new home at Old Salem Farm, in North Salem, NY. The show is scheduled for September 12th through the 16th, 2012, with the famed $200,000 American Gold Cup as the highlight event on the final Sunday.

Old Salem Farm, in New York’s Westchester County, is a premier equestrian venue, offering state-of-the-art facilities, surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.

In fact, in 2010, the Old Salem Spring Show was voted one of the Top 25 Horse Shows in North America by NARG, the North American Rider’s Group. The owners at Old Salem have spent over $30 million in renovations over the past few years to bring this venue on par with any show facility in the world.

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Megan Glynn Wins Everglades Dressage Young Rider Achievement Award at Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup

Megan Glynn and Everybody’s Darling rode away with the Everglades Dressage Young Rider Achievement Award at the Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (April 24, 2012) – Canadian dressage rider Megan Glynn was all smiles after a beautiful Prix St. Georges test aboard her lovely mare Everybody’s Darling during the Global Dressage Festival Nations Cup. Thanks to her impressive performance, Glynn was also awarded the Everglades Dressage Young Rider Achievement Award sponsored by Bethany Peslar, the head trainer and rider at Everglades Dressage. The Young Rider Achievement Award is designed to recognize up-and-coming Juniors and Young Riders.

“I have been riding Everybody’s Darling, a 10-year-old Oldenburg for about six months and I just bought her,” Glynn said. “She is 18 hands and amazing. I just fell in love with her.”

Glynn trains with Canadian Olympic dressage rider Jacqueline Brooks and said her goal is to compete on the Young Riders team. “I am thrilled to win the Young Rider Achievement Award and I want to thank Bethany for presenting me with a beautiful embroidered saddle pad from her farm, Everglades Dressage.”

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FEI TV Live in Kentucky for HSBC FEI Classics 2012

Lausanne (SUI), 26 April 2012 – FEI TV, the official FEI video platform, is LIVE from Kentucky (USA) for the third leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012.

The live action, which starts today (26 April) at 15.00 CEST for Day 1 of Dressage, runs until Sunday (29 April) as follows:

Day 2 Dressage – 27 April 15.00 CEST
Cross Country – 28 April 15.00 CEST
Jumping – 29 April 18.30 CEST

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