Category Archives: Dressage

The Discipline of Riding Dressage

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group, Polo

2011 Challenge of the Americas Raises $275,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

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Mason Phelps, Mary Ross and Brian O'Connor at the 2011 Challenge of the Americas Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle Photography

Wellington, FL – March 22, 2011 – The tenth annual Challenge of the Americas competition and Gala were held Saturday evening, March12, at the beautiful International Polo Club Palm Beach. Held as a benefit for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Play for P.I.N.K., the event raised approximately $275,000 in support of research to help find a cure for this disease that has affected so many lives.

The Challenge Gala got underway following an exciting evening of equestrian competition that included the first ever four-on-four polo match, where Team Vanderbilt-Ingram proved victorious.  Following polo the musical quadrille team challenge commenced with Team Purina USA earning the winning score in this fantabulous event.  This year’s gala, a sold-out affair with almost 600 in attendance, featured an evening of dinner and dancing and was held in the New Nespresso Lodge just off Piaget Field at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.  The sit-down dinner, silent auction and dancing was enjoyed by top riders, trainers and judges from the equestrian world of dressage and polo, along with generous sponsors and supporters.

Held as a benefit for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation over the last ten years, the Challenge of the Americas has raised over 1.5 million since its inception in 2002. This year they will once again add a generous donation to that total. President of Play for P.I.N.K., spoke at the Gala and acknowledged all that Challenge of the Americas has done for breast cancer research. Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge) is a grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds to fight breast cancer, by creating and promoting awareness of breast cancer through sporting and lifestyle events. They contribute 100% of all funds raised to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

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Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Jane Savoie, Training/Clinics

Motivation from Moshi 54, by Jane Savoie

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You get more of whatever you think about. It’s true! Anything you give your attention to increases. That includes the bad stuff. This rule doesn’t have an opinion about “good” or “bad.” It just is.

You humans live in a “fix it” culture. You are trained to search for what’s wrong. That’s fine, if you’re looking for a stone in my hoof or a burr embedded in my saddle pad. But when you focus on what’s amiss with everything and everyone around you, you can really mess up your life.

The best example of this rule causing trouble is in relationships. It doesn’t matter if it is the relationship with your mate, your boss, your best friend, or your horse. If you spend more time looking for what’s wrong with that person/horse or the relationship you have together than you do looking for and appreciating what’s right, you will become out of sync with that person/horse until you will feel compelled to fight with her, or leave her. It’s a rule. It will happen!

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Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Dressage Radio Episode 95 – World Dressage Masters & Dressage Affaire

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The World Dressage Masters in Palm Beach, Florida and Dressage Affaire in California are the focus this week with Guenter Seidel, Sara Leiser, and Mary
Lauritsen, so tune in right here…

Dressage Radio Episode 95 – Show Notes and Links:

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Listen, Download or Subscribe:
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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Diana de Rosa, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Show Jumping

Heart of the Carolinas Three-Day Event Is All about Amateur Riders

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Photos taken at Southern Eighths farm. © Diana De Rosa Photos

April 28 – May 1, 2011

If ever there was a place that shouts “Long Live the Long Format,” Southern Eighths is that place and on  April 28 – May 1 Classic Eventing will host its inaugural Heart of the Carolinas (HOTC) Three-Day Event on this 300-acre facility.  This Long Format Three-Day Event is the amateur rider’s “Rolex.”  It’s the event where Beginner Novice, Novice and Training level riders can negotiate their ultimate Long Format test in a USEA recognized T3D, N3D and BN3D event.  And what makes this event even more unique is that it is the only Three-Day Event that offers a Beginner-Novice division.

Southern Eighths is located in the middle of USEA Areas II and III on the North and South Carolina border.  The Farm is specially designed to accommodate and maximize the Long Format experience, from its centrally located “holds” and “starts,” two steeplechase tracks and groomed “roads and tracks” to the special derby course used for show jumping.  The site also includes a cross-country course that was created by well-known course designer Tremaine Cooper.

Southern Eighths also has a recently added 38-stall guest barn with RV hookups and has made special arrangements with the local community for those needing accommodations and other necessities.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, USEA

Phillip Dutton and Isabella II Take the Lead at Red Hills CIC3*

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Photo by Leslie Threlkeld

Uncharacteristically strong, cold winds presented an extra challenge to competitors during the dressage phase of competition at the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida, the first event of the 2011 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

Phillip Dutton and Susie Beale’s 14-year-old Oldenburg mare Isabella II performed a quiet, accurate test to beat out several other experienced pairs in the Adequan Gold Cup CIC3* division.  Heading into cross-country, Dutton will strive to maintain the pair’s dressage score of 43.9 to stay ahead of Karen O’Connor and Joan Goswell’s Mandiba, just two-tenths of a point behind.  Allison Springer and her own Arthur also put in a solid score of 45.3, putting them in a close third place after dressage.

The Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series, now in its eighth year, includes seven events from across the country, giving top horse and rider combinations the chance to win prizes and cash throughout the season, as well as picking up leaderboard points. The top pair at the end of the Series takes home a check for $20,000. Learn more about the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

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Breeds, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

United States’ PRE and Lusitanos to Perform this Week at Dressage under the Stars: Iberian Challenge

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Wellington, FL – March 15, 2011 – Join the crowd this Wednesday evening, March 16th, at the world famous Players Club for Dressage under the Stars, starting at 7:00pm.  In its seventh week of competition, Dressage under the Stars will feature a breed competition this week, showcasing the US PRE and Lusitano horses. Two horses of each breed will perform musical freestyles showcasing the talent and history of these incredible breeds.  Guests can enjoy delicious drinks and dinner patio side or upstairs on the balcony overlooking the dressage arena.

Nationally renowned trainer Mr. Vitor J. Silva and his students, Emily Kannenstine and Leah Winston from Sons of the Winds Farm, will represent the Lusitano breed.  Kannenstine and Winston will both perform individual freestyles and midway through the evening, Mr. Silva and his riders will also be performing a rousing quadrille demonstration for guests to enjoy, showcasing this incredible breed and its history.

Riders representing the United States PRE Association are Rachel Chowanec and Summerville Harris, will each perform cultural and fun Freestyles at the FEI level.

“The US PRE Association works solely for the promotion of the breed and education of the public about the PRE,” noted US PRE President Kimberly Boyer.  “We also strive to service breeders who are working to grow this specific breed. We are excited about Dressage under the Stars and this competition between the PREs and the Lusitanos.  We thought it was a great opportunity to celebrate the similarities these breeds share, along with their neighborhood stud books!  It should be a great evening!”

Continue reading United States’ PRE and Lusitanos to Perform this Week at Dressage under the Stars: Iberian Challenge →

Breeds, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

Sons of the Wind Lusitanos to Perform at Dressage under the Stars

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Vitor Silva from Sons of the Wind Lusitanos will be performing at Dressage under the Stars. Photo Courtesy of the Client.

Palm City, FL – March 14, 2011 – Sons of the Wind Lusitanos is pleased to announce that they will be competing at Dressage under the Stars on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The beautiful event is held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida. The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m., with delicious drinks and fine dining available both patio-side, and the Lusitano/PRE competition will begin at 8 p.m.

Nationally renowned trainer Mr. Vitor J. Silva and his students, Emily Kannenstine and Leah Winston, who will be working for Sons of the Winds, will begin by competing in a dressage competition against a group of PRE horses, showcasing the talents of the different breeds. Midway through the evening, Mr. Silva and his riders will also be performing a rousing quadrille demonstration for guests to enjoy.

The Sons of the Wind and Mr. Silva are famous for exhilarating airs above the ground and their quadrilles have been featured at the Boston Portuguese Festival, Bear Spot Freestyle, PVDA “Ride for Life”, and many other locations. The Sons of the Wind School for the Equestrian Arts, based in Merrimac, Massachusetts and now for the winter Palm City, FL, were founded by Portuguese trainer Mr. Vitor Silva. With their dedication to classical training, these unique centers provide a venue for the starting and sales of the young Lusitanos, along with instruction to all levels of students by the Lusitano school masters developed by Mr. Silva for amateur enthusiasts, instructors and competitive riders from around the world.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Fundraisers, Phelps Media Group, Polo

Team USA – Purina Mills Wins Dressage Quadrille, Team Vanderbilt-Ingram Victorious in Polo Match at 10th Annual Challenge of the Americas

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Team USA. All photos: Susan J. Stickle Photography

March 12, 2011 – Tonight was a gorgeous evening, where Team Purina USA performed a stunning quadrille under the lights at this year’s Challenge of the Americas. In its tenth year, the Challenge of the Americas is an annual fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Play for P.I.N.K., and is sponsored by the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Team USA beat Team International and Team Can/America by earning the evening’s highest score of 93.95, marking their first ever win during the Challenge.  It was not an easy fight, however, as Team International scored a very close 91.95.  Throughout the performance, the teams were judged on impact on the audience, spacing and alignment, choreography interpretation, and harmony.

This year’s United States Team featured Betsy Steiner, aboard Domingo, owned by TAH Enterprises and Trisha Hessinger, George Williams riding Sandro Simian, owned by Mitzi Presnell and Holly Shook, Pamela Goodrich showing Karateka III owned by Judy Sprieser, Bill Warren with Romantic, owned by Team Romantic LLC, Jim Koford riding Liberty, owned by Barbara Marks, and John Zopatti aboard Fabio, owned by Christina Hewitt and sponsored by Blue Marlin Farms. Terry Ciotti-Gallo handled the team’s choreography, music and coaching.

The winning team completed passages, tempi changes, half passes and pirouettes, all in perfect harmony with one another. They performed to an original melody of music featuring the theme of New York, honoring the Twin Towers. The team opened with “Two Yankees”, followed by Jay-Z and Alicia Keyes’ “New York” and ended their performance with Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”.

Continue reading Team USA – Purina Mills Wins Dressage Quadrille, Team Vanderbilt-Ingram Victorious in Polo Match at 10th Annual Challenge of the Americas →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Eventing Radio Episode 123 by Bit of Britain – Red Hills Horse Trials Dressage Day

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Three days of coverage from the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida. Chris provides coverage today of the Dressage with the top name competitors. Take a listen….

Eventing Radio Episode 123 by Bit of Britain – Show Notes and Links:

  • Show Host: Chris Stafford
  • Photo Credit: USEA
  • Thank You: Thank you to the organizers of the Red Hills Horse Trials for inviting us to cover the event live. Tune in live on Saturday and Sunday from 5 – 6 pm Eastern.
  • News: The Eventing Radio Show and HORSES IN THE MORNING live from Rolex Kentucky 3DE: April 27 – May 1, 2011

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

Steffen Peters Soars to Record Score at World Dressage Masters Palm Beach

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Steffen Peters and Ravel performing their rock n' roll freestyle to a sold out house. All photos: Susan J. Stickle for Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – March 11, 2011 – The 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Palm Beach will be remembered for breaking records, and the results of Friday night’s Grand Prix Freestyle finale are no exception. Olympic and World Equestrian Games medalist and 2009 World Cup Final Champion Steffen Peters danced his way to the highest score ever awarded at the WDM Palm Beach. Riding to a collection of rock songs including Sympathy for the Devil and Viva la Vida, Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s 13 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding Ravel captivated the sold out audience and received a winning score of 84.550% from the FEI ground jury.

Having won the Grand Prix at both the 2009 and 2010 WDM Palm Beach but having then settled for third and then second place, Peters was thrilled to have finally achieved a WDM freestyle victory. “Maybe there is some truth to ‘three is a charm’,” he said. “Last year was very close between Salinero and Ravel. Certainly it was one of my goals to win World Dressage Masters and I’m happy that it happened tonight.”

If Peters’ victory was a decisive one, such was not the case between second and third places, where there was a close contest between Tina Konyot of the US and Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmsson Silfven. Konyot had finished second in Thursday’s Grand Prix and Vilhelmsson Silfven third, but after two strong performances with exciting music and choreography, the two riders switched places in the Freestyle. Vilhelmsson Silfven and Antonia Ax:son Johnson’s 12 year old Danish gelding Favourit performed an elegant program to a collection of Eurhythmics tunes, receiving a score of 77.975%. Konyot’s powerful black Danish stallion Calecto V was shown off to a contemporary score that included, appropriately, the song Black Horse in a Cherry Tree. A score of 76.775% was not quite enough to put Konyot into second place for a second time, but she wasn’t disappointed with the outcome.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13429