Category Archives: Dressage

The Discipline of Riding Dressage

Awards, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Training/Clinics

Catherine Malone Wins Everglades Dressage Adult Amateur High Score Award at Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge

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Catherine Malone won the Everglades Dressage Overall High Score Adult Amateur Award with Florianus II at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge Show. Malone trains with Todd Flettrich, left. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 10, 2011) – The Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge ended the year on a good note for dressage rider Catherine Malone, who rode away the Everglades Dressage Overall High Score Adult Amateur Award at the show. Sponsored by Everglades Dressage Farm and Bethany Peslar, Malone won the High Score Award with a 66.026% in the USEF National Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Test of Choice.

Malone, the daughter of Mary Alice Malone of Iron Spring Farm in Pennsylvania, rode Iron Spring Farm’s Westfalen stallion Florianus 2. “It was our first show and it ended up going quite nicely,” Malone said. “I think we will have more confidence in the future.”

Malone, who rides with dressage trainer Todd Flettrich, said she was thrilled when her mother gave her the chance to ride Florianus 2, the first stallion fully approved by the KWPN outside of Holland. “He’s my first Grand Prix horse so I am very excited,” Malone said. “He carried me through the test where I wasn’t sure about things. It’s definitely a great privilege to ride a Grand Prix horse.”

Continue reading Catherine Malone Wins Everglades Dressage Adult Amateur High Score Award at Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Training/Clinics

Premier Equestrian Congratulates Walter Zettl on Induction into Hall of Fame

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Premier Equestrian, LLC is pleased to congratulate classical dressage master Walter Zettl on his induction into the Toronto CADORA Dressage Association Hall of Fame. Zettl has been a long-time advisor to Premier Equestrian. (Photo courtesy of Walter Zettl, photo credit Christine Derksen)

Sandy, UT (January 7, 2011) – Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, and stable accessories, is pleased to congratulate classical dressage master Walter Zettl on his induction into the Toronto CADORA Dressage Association Hall of Fame. Zettl has been a long-time advisor to Premier Equestrian and is also the technical advisor for Dressage Today Magazine.

“Walter is one of the true classical dressage masters left on the planet and we are so happy that he was recognized for being a contributor to the evolution of the sport of dressage,” said Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian. “Walter has lived in Canada since 1981 and has had a big impact on the Canadian dressage community. He has also had a big impact on our company and has advised and directed Premier on our products over the years.”

Zettl, who is now in his 80s, has spent years on the forefront of the dressage world, from coaching Olympic riders to teaching, training, offering clinics, writing books and producing DVDs. “It wasn’t a surprise to his family, friends or students when he was inducted into the Toronto CADORA Dressage Association Hall of Fame,” Zorn said. “Zettl’s ‘Matter of Trust’ DVD series was produced by Dancing Deer Productions and distributed by Premier.  The DVD covers classical dressage techniques from Training level to Grand Prix, and we were very pleased to have been part of it. Getting to know Walter, and understand his true passion for dressage and horses, has been a real blessing.”

Continue reading Premier Equestrian Congratulates Walter Zettl on Induction into Hall of Fame →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, Fundraisers, JRPR, Training/Clinics

Chester Weber Donates “Two Days of Training” at Upcoming “Salute to Driving” USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline

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Chester Weber will donate “Two Days of Training” during the silent auction at the upcoming Salute to Driving USET fund Raising for the Driving Discipline. He is shown here at the 7th US National Championship at the Kentucky Cup. (Photo courtesy of My Elizabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (January 7, 2010) – Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, will donate a package for “Two Days of Training” during the silent auction at the upcoming Salute to Driving USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline. Weber will give the winner of the silent auction two days of training with either his or her own horses or with Weber’s horses.

The Salute to Driving USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline is a weekend for all levels to learn and have fun. The event includes two days of Advanced/FEI level and ADS Lower level clinics, a benefit party, Combined Test, plus other various activities to help educate equine enthusiasts from other disciplines. Salute to Driving will be held on Chateau Log Farm and Courage to Lead Farm in Windsor, South Carolina and the Country Dinner Benefit will be held at Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, South Carolina. The event will take place February 19-21, 2011.

“I am really looking forward to the Salute to Driving weekend and especially offering a package for ‘Two Days of Training’ at the silent auction. I believe the USET is a very worthy cause and the money raised during this weekend will go toward sending the US driving athletes to international competitions,” Weber said. “During the weekend there will be developing drivers clinics given by Larry Poulin and a two-day advanced long listed drivers clinic with Michael Freund, so it should be a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

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

Dressage Radio Episode 85 by Back on Track – Do Young Riders Specialize Too Early?

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Debbie McDonald and Lendon Gray discuss young riders’ careers in dressage, their opportunities for riding different horses, spending time with horses out of the barn, and the importance of horsemanship in the sport. A fascinating conversation with two great horsewomen, so take a listen…

Dressage Radio Episode 85 – Show Notes and Links:

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Listen, Download or Subscribe:

listennow125

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, Hunter/Equitation, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, USEF, Vaulting, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

52 Weeks in the Pursuit of Excellence

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With every eye on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, 2010 was the Year of the Horse in the United States as the world arrived on our doorstep in Lexington, KY, for 16 days of competition, demonstration and fun. It took years of planning and didn’t kick off until the end of the ninth month of the year.

Here is how 2010 unfolded before, during and after the Equestrian Event that stopped the American Equestrian community in its tracks. Anyone who makes a life with horses knows it’s not only about the few days a year when the world is watching – it is about every day of every year.

January: 2010 began with honoring the champions from the previous year at the 2010 USEF Annual Meeting. Dressage superstar Steffen Peters repeated as Equestrian of the Year. It was a monumental task to get him from a horse show in California to Louisville, but it was all worth it when he was there, in person, to accept his Dressage award. The night before, his beloved horse, Ravel, was honored as the Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year after storming through 2009 winning on both sides of this country (including the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final) and sweeping the CHIO Aachen in Germany – a first for an American combination. Owner Akiko Yamazaki was on hand to collect the award honoring America’s champion of 2009. Find the details here: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=5264&star=true and http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=5265&star=true. There would be even bigger plans for this pair in 2010.

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

SAVE THE DATE! 2011 Challenge of the Americas Fast Facts

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Team International. Photo Credit: Susan Stickle

Wellington, FL – January 7, 2011 – Mark your calendars now for the 2011 Challenge of the Americas.

EVENT: The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas Competition and Gala

WHAT: An International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

WHERE: The International Polo Club Palm Beach
3667 120th Avenue South
Wellington, FL 33414

WHEN: Saturday, March 12, 2011

PRESENTING SPONSOR: The International Polo Club Palm Beach

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*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, JRPR

Cesar Parra Prepares for Florida Dressage Circuit with Grandioso, Lindner and Students

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Cesar Parra, shown here with Lindner and Grandioso, recently returned from Europe where he spent time training with Hubertus Schmidt. Parra looks forward to competing on the winter dressage circuit in Florida with his students and horses. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 6, 2011) – International Dressage Rider Cesar Parra has returned from a rewarding training period in Europe with a new horse in tow and his sights set on a successful winter show season with the horses and students of Piaffe-Performance Farm. Parra is looking forward to 2011 and hopes to build on a fantastic 2010 show year, which included breaking in his status as a new American citizen by winning his first National Championship at the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions.

“We just returned from training with Hubertus Schmidt in Europe, and it was amazing,” Parra said. “It is great to be there at Hubertus’, to watch him ride and get his help. It is really a wonderful riding environment and exactly what I needed — to be challenged every day and do the work I needed.”

Parra said the time spent in Europe was not only beneficial for him, but also for Grandioso, a nine-year-old Westfalen gelding owned by Michael and Sarah Davis. “Grandioso is doing awesome and is constantly improving, especially after our time spent in Europe with Hubertus. He is a huge horse, so strength is very important in order to carry himself and maintain his expressive gaits. We worked a lot on Grandioso’s piaffe with Hubertus and it is improving daily,” Parra said, adding that his goal with Grandioso is to continue his training with their sights set on the 2012 Olympics in London.

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Awards, Breeds, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Nan Sexton and Xairel do Bosque Win the High Score Lusitano Award

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Nan Sexton and her gorgeous Lusitano stallion, Xairel do Bosque, rode away the winner of the High Point Lusitano Award at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. Sexton is joined by her trainer Carmen Franco. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 3, 2010) – Nan Sexton and her Lusitano stallion, Xairel do Bosque, rang in the holidays in style by winning the High Score Lusitano Award at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. Sponsored by the Lusitano Collection, hosts of the 2011 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction, the High Score Lusitano Award was awarded to the highest scoring Lusitano in first level through fourth level at the show.

Sexton, who rides out of Southgate Farm and trains with Carmen Franco, was thrilled with Xairel do Bosque’s win. “This was his second horse show and he hasn’t been out of the blue ribbons yet,” Sexton said, adding that she bought the seven-year-old stallion in Brazil. “I was really happy that as a young stallion he managed to handle himself with grace and he didn’t let anything disturb his focus while at the show.”

Sexton competed Xairel do Bosque in second level and said she is hoping to move him up to third level soon. “I have had some smart warmbloods in the past, but I think the Lusitanos are probably more eager to please and less headstrong than warmbloods,” she said.  Sexton has purchased three Interagro Lusitanos: Acolito Interagro, Ubrique Interagro, and Versejador Interagro, and says she is looking forward to the 2011 Lusitano Collection International Horse Auction.  While Xairel do Bosque was not bred at Interagro Farms in Brazil, he is related to Sexton’s stallion Acolito Interagro.  Acolito is sired by Farao (JHC), who is Xairel’s grandsire.  Farao (JHC) is also the grandsire of Relampago do Retiro, one of the Lusitanos to compete at the World Equestrian Games in 2010.

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Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Dana Fiore Wins Wellington Institute “Rider Wellness Award” at Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show

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Dressage rider Dana Fiore stands with her gelding Redford at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 1, 2010) – Dana Fiore’s youthful exuberance, along with some stellar rides in the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaries I classes aboard her gelding Redford, helped her clinch the “Rider Wellness Award” at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. Sponsored by The Wellington Institute, the award is given to one rider at the show based on energy level, zest for life, weight control, muscle and body mass, stress management and anxiety control.

Fiore was thrilled with the gift certificate and products she won from The Wellington Institute and said the secret to her healthy lifestyle is staying active and riding. Fiore also stays fit by working on her palm tree farm in Boynton Beach, Florida.

“We want to congratulate Dana on an excellent season. Dana is also the perfect example of fitness and wellness,” said Juan Gonzalez, Director of Marketing for The Wellington Institute, adding that The Wellington Institute benefits riders by taking a look at their hormonal system to study their aging process.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Hat Trick for Koos de Ronde in Mechelen

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Koos de Ronde on his way to his hat trick victory in Mechelen. Photo: FEI/Rinaldo de Craen

Koos de Ronde did it again. The Dutch golden team member of Kentucky has won the FEI World Cup Driving competition in Mechelen for the third time in a row. De Ronde beat Hungary’s Jozsef Dobrovitz with an exciting fast and clear round to put the pressure on last-to-go and wild card driver Boyd Exell. But the World Champion from Australia was unable to stay clear and left the arena with 15 penalty points. When the scores were finally tallied, De Ronde was declared the deserved winner.

Charley is back
After wins in 2008 and 2009 in the Nekkerhal just 140 kilometres from his home in The Netherlands, Koos de Ronde was determined to be the best again in Mechelen. Koos was very pleased to be able to use his black horse Charley in the lead of his team again after having to replace him at Budapest due to injury. De Ronde put his team in the highest gear from the start and was the only driver with two clear rounds.

Too generous
Boyd Exell, who had received one of the three wild cards from the organisers, was last to go in the Winning Round after a very fast first round. Koos had asked him to be generous before he went into the fully packed arena, but Boyd explained afterwards that he had not planned to be that generous! Boyd, who had swapped his leaders around, went too fast in tight places and knocked three balls down.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12857