Tag Archives: dressage

Community/Charity, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Fight Begins to Save Critical Wellington Area

Leave a comment

Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance to challenge controversial plan for “Rockefeller Center” in the heart of horse country

Wellington, FL – December 9, 2011 – The Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance continues to aggressively oppose a controversial proposed development planned for the heart of Wellington’s Equestrian Preservation Area currently under consideration by the Village of Wellington.  Alliance representatives and supporters will be on hand to contest the development as aspects of the plan get their first governmental hearing before Wellington’s official Equestrian Preserve Committee at 6 pm located at City Hall on Wednesday, December 14.

According to Alliance Executive Director, Mat Forest: “Our position is pretty simple: This project should be limited specifically to equestrian activities.  No malls, no RV parks, no fairgrounds, no high-rise condos in the Equestrian Preserve Area. There may be places in Wellington where this development would fit very nicely, but NOT in the Equestrian Preserve.”

Continue reading Fight Begins to Save Critical Wellington Area →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Products/Services, USDF

Dressage Rider Amelia Child Ecstatic over Winning Final Saddle in Custom Saddlery’s “All American Saddle Fit Challenge” at USDF Convention

Leave a comment
Left to right: Cary Wallace, Graham Newell, Amelia Child, and Steffen Peters. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

San Diego, CA (December 9, 2011) – The 2011 USDF Convention was a weekend of highlights for California-based dressage rider Amelia Child who was riding on cloud nine as a big winner during the convention. While the 19-year-old Young Rider earned her bronze and silver medals, it was hearing her name drawn as the final winner in Custom Saddlery’s year-long All American Saddle Fit Challenge contest that had Child bubbling over with enthusiasm. Child was the fifth person to win a custom dressage saddle from Custom Saddlery, makers of handcrafted custom-fit dressage, jumping, and event saddles.

Child moved to California this year from Utah and said her whole life changed when she met dressage trainer Sue Hollis. “I originally went to California for two months to do the CDI circuit but after six weeks I knew I couldn’t leave,” Child said. “My trainer introduced me to Custom Saddles and I started riding in one and it has revolutionized my position.”

Continue reading Dressage Rider Amelia Child Ecstatic over Winning Final Saddle in Custom Saddlery’s “All American Saddle Fit Challenge” at USDF Convention →

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Fifteen Para-Equestrians Secure London 2012 Training Grants

Leave a comment
New Zealand’s Frances Dick, one of 15 international Para-Equestrians to secure Eurovestech training grants in the countdown to London 2012. Image: Equestrian Sports New Zealand.

Lausanne (SUI), 8 December 2011 – Fifteen Para-Equestrians from five different countries have secured a share of a €25,500 London 2012 training grant from Eurovestech plc, the pan-European development capital fund.

Three riders from Hong Kong, Israel, New Zealand, Poland and Russia will use the grants to fund their training, with London 2012 Paralympic qualification as their major goal.

The grants were launched in July this year to support Para-Equestrians from nations where funding is limited and who have not won medals at the Paralympics, World Championships or World Equestrian Games since 2004.

New Zealand’s Frances Dick, who is aiming to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, is delighted to be awarded a training grant. “My dream of bringing home a medal from the London 2012 Paralympics has just got a whole lot closer and the grant comes at a time when funding is critical in the countdown to 2012.”

Continue reading Fifteen Para-Equestrians Secure London 2012 Training Grants →

Dressage, Events, FEI, USEF

New FEI Pony Dressage Tests for 2012

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – At the 2011 FEI General Assembly, it was announced that there will be new FEI Pony Tests effective January 1, 2012.

A link to the 2012 tests can be found on the USEF website: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/dressagePonies.aspx.

The qualifying period for the USEF National Pony Dressage Championship began August 2, 2011 and will end May 28, 2012. The 2012 FEI Pony Team Test and the 2012 FEI Pony Individual Test must be used at qualifying competitions beginning January 1, 2012. A pony/rider combination must complete both the Team and Individual Tests at a designated USEF/NAJYRC Qualifying Competition. The calendar of these competitions can be found on the USEF website.

The pony/rider combinations who have submitted an Application of Intent and achieved the minimum number of required scores will be ranked according to these scores. Invitations to the 2012 National Pony Dressage Championships will be based upon this ranking list.

Questions regarding the 2012 National Pony Dressage Selection Procedures, Ranking List and Championship should be directed to Hallye Griffin, Director of Dressage, National Programs (hgriffin@usef.org or 859 225 6918).

Competitions, Dressage, Events, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, Phelps Media Group, USEF, Wellington Classic Dressage

Para-Equestrian Qualifiers to Kick Off Gold Coast Dressage CDIW and Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*

Leave a comment

Wellington, FL – December 1, 2011 – At the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL, dressage is poised to take center stage this January. Among the many high-level competitions that will occur at the venue this winter will be a Para-Equestrian CPEDI3* qualifier for the 2012 Paralympics. This exciting three-test qualifying competition will serve as an inspiring opener for both the Gold Coast Dressage CDIW and the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*, both of which now offer the chance to see talented para-equestrians compete alongside their peers.

The first para-equestrian dressage qualifier is going to be hosted at the Gold Coast Dressage Association CDIW, January 19-22, 2012. The second qualifier will be the following weekend, which is at the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge, CDI3*, January 26-29, 2012. The second event will run concurrent with the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5*, the only North American leg of the prestigious World Dressage Masters circuit.

“People forget that this is an Olympic qualifying year for para-equestrians as well,” said Noreen O’Sullivan, owner of Wellington Classic Dressage in Wellington, FL. “It’s just as important for them as it is for the traditional dressage riders.” She added, “We wanted to be able to help the para-equestrians this year as well. We have held classes and have had the para-equestrians competing at shows in the past, but we’ve never hosted a qualifier before, so we’re excited to bring such an inclusive event to our shows this January. It’s very inspiring, something we can all appreciate.”

Continue reading Para-Equestrian Qualifiers to Kick Off Gold Coast Dressage CDIW and Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3* →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

Leibler and Watson 108 Prepare for the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final in Germany

1 Comment
Isabelle Leibler and Watson 108 National Young Rider Dressage Championships (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, KY – Isabelle Leibler and her own Watson 108 have arrived safely in Germany and have begun diligently preparing to represent the US at the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final. Leibler (Greenwich, CT) and the 14-year-old Westphalian gelding arrived early this week in Kronberg im Taunus. They will be based at Schafhof, the renowned training and breeding center of Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff, Klaus Martin Rath, and Matthias Rath, prior to heading to Frankfurt for the competition.

Leibler and Watson 108 were invited to represent the US at the 2011 Finals after posting the highest average in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle Test at CDI-Ys during the qualifying period. This pair landed in Germany after a strong 2011 campaign that included winning a team Bronze medal and two Gold medals, individual and freestyle, at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships presented by Gotham North. Additionally, they were crowned National Young Rider Dressage Champions at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Championships.

Continue reading Leibler and Watson 108 Prepare for the FEI Young Rider World Cup Dressage Final in Germany →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Record Breaking Ticket Sales for Paralympic Equestrian at London 2012

Leave a comment
Team USA ( Left to Right) Jonathan Wentz, Mary Jordan, Rebecca Hart, and Wendy Fryke at 2011 NEDA Fall Festival of Dressage CPEDI3*. Photo © 2011 Lindsay Y McCall

Lausanne (SUI), 2 December 2011 – Sales of Paralympic Equestrian tickets for the London 2012 Paralympic Games have broken records, with more than 40,000 tickets already sold. And there is a further opportunity for spectator numbers to increase with remaining tickets going on sale on 2 December.

The number of tickets sold to date for the 11 Paralympic Equestrian events taking place in Greenwich Park next year (30 August – 4 September) has already overtaken the previous record of 33,000 spectators that watched the Beijing 2008 Paralympic equestrian events in Hong Kong.

In total over one million tickets have already been purchased for the 20 sports at the London 2012 Paralympic Games since they went on sale this year.

“We have six days of Paralympic Equestrian competition in Greenwich Park, in a country where Para-Equestrian Dressage was pretty much born,” said Tim Hadaway, Equestrian Competition Manager at Greenwich Park, venue for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Continue reading Record Breaking Ticket Sales for Paralympic Equestrian at London 2012 →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Para-Equestrian

United States Para-Equestrians Take to the Air for 2011 Melbourne CPEDI3* in Australia

Leave a comment
Mary Jordan and Sebastian. Photos ©2 011 Lindsay Y McCall

Thousand Oaks, CA – December 1, 2011 – With a Team Gold under their belt earned at the 2011 CPEDI3* in Mexico City, the United States Para-Equestrian Team takes to the air headed to beautiful Melbourne, Australia. The 2011 CPEDI3* in Werribee, Victoria, Australia begins Thursday, December 8th with a horse inspection, followed by the Team Test on Friday, Individual Test on Saturday, and finally the Freestyle competition on Sunday, December 11, 2011. This international competition will be held in conjunction with the Saddle World Dressage Festival held at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Center located southwest of Melbourne, Australia. The United States Para-Equestrian Team consists of Donna Ponessa from New Windsor, NY for Grade Ia, Rebecca Hart of Unionville, PA for Grade II, Erin Alberda of Woodinville, WA for Grade III, and Mary Jordan from Wells, ME representing Grade IV. Each rider will compete throughout the weekend against Para-Equestrian team members from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. This competition is one more stride on the road to the 2012 Paralympics held in London, England.

Continue reading United States Para-Equestrians Take to the Air for 2011 Melbourne CPEDI3* in Australia →

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Events, JRPR, Symposiums, Training/Clinics

Amerigo Sponsored Dressage Star Kyra Kyrklund Shines at NEDA Fall Symposium

Leave a comment
Kyra Kyrklund was the featured clinician at the NEDA Fall Symposium.

Buena Vista, VA (November 29, 2011) – World-renowned dressage trainer and rider Kyra Kyrklund, a Finnish dressage icon from West Sussex in the United Kingdom, was the featured clinician at the NEDA Fall Symposium at the UMass Hadley Farm in Hadley, Massachusetts. Kyrklund has competed in six Olympics and is proudly sponsored by Amerigo Saddles, sold in the United States by World Equestrian Brands, LLC.

“Every year NEDA brings top riders and trainers to their symposium and all of the dressage enthusiasts who attend the NEDA Fall Symposium are thrilled to be learning from the best of the best. Kyra is certainly is all that, and she is such an inspiration. It was a fantastic experience for everyone at the NEDA Symposium to be able to learn from one of the best in the world,” said Robin Moore, President of World Equestrian Brands. “Kyra is well known for her training methods and also for riding in Amerigo Saddles. At World Equestrian Brands we carry Amerigo and Amerigo Vega products and we are pleased to represent a product endorsed by Kyra.”

Kyrklund’s book, Dressage with Kyra, details Kyrklund’s unique training system, a system that has enabled her to accomplish a great deal in the dressage world. Kyrklund said she is always interested in developing better ways to communicate with horses, and she shared that knowledge with those attending the NEDA Symposium.

Continue reading Amerigo Sponsored Dressage Star Kyra Kyrklund Shines at NEDA Fall Symposium →

Dressage, Events, Training/Clinics, USEF

USEF Developing Dressage Clinic at Hassler Dressage at Riveredge

Leave a comment
L-R Sharon McCusker on Wrigley, Jenny Van Wieren-Page, Debbie McDonald, Anne Gribbons and Stacey Parvey-Larson with Benidetto (Photo: Richard Malmgren)

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) ran a Developing Dressage Clinic with Debbie McDonald in Chesapeake City, MD at Hassler Dressage at Riveredge right before the Thanksgiving holiday.

McDonald, one of the most successful U.S. dressage riders in history, travelled from her Idaho home to this spectacular facility, which is the base for Hassler Dressage, to teach seven horse/rider combinations.  USEF Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons was also there to advise and observe.

Two of the horses who were very successful at the USEF National Dressage Championships this summer at Lamplight Equestrian Center showed continued progress in their training.

Sharon McCusker (Ashby, MA) rode Wrigley, who was third in the 2011 USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship (sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International, PSI) and Silva Martin (West Grove, PA) rode Aesthete, who was third in the 6-year-old Championship at the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Championship.

Continue reading USEF Developing Dressage Clinic at Hassler Dressage at Riveredge →