Palm City, Florida (July 2011) – Competing in the Capital Dressage Classic CDI 3* in Raleigh, North Carolina proved to be a successful show for international dressage rider Luis Reteguiz-Denizard and his KWPN gelding, Nalando. The trip from Florida to the Carolinas was well worth it for Denizard and Nalando as they received the start of their FEI minimum eligibility standard (MES) scores that will be considered for the 2012 London Olympics in the FEI Grand Prix.
Representing Puerto Rico both Denizard and Nalando earned a 65.3% from Elizabeth McMullen, an FEI 5* judge, and also received an overall average score of 64.3% from a panel of five judges. The pair will look to compete in additional CDIs that will assist in sending the hopeful pair to the 2012 Olympics in London next summer. “I was really pleased with both tests. Nalando felt terrific and the scores we earned will help fulfill the FEI requirements for the Olympics. These scores are what the Puerto Rican Equestrian Federation and Olympic Selection Committee base their selections on,” said Denizard. “I have so many goals that I would like to accomplish with my horses but making the Olympics would be at the top of my list.”
Denizard, born and educated in the United States, is proud to compete in the United States for Puerto Rico. “Nalando and I competed in our first international competition at the 2007 Pan Am Games as the first dressage representative for Puerto Rico in Rio de Janeiro. That was a very exciting time for us and we are looking forward to compete again this year. I feel proud to represent Puerto Rico as an American citizen, the Puerto Rico Olympic autonomy allows me to do so. My dream is to hold both flags, representing both countries that have helped me reach my goals,” added Denizard. “Nalando is much stronger in the Grand Prix movements and has many more competitions under his ‘girth’ now.”