Tag Archives: dressage

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

Dressage Radio Episode 91 – British Team Dressage

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Richard Davison, World Class Performance Manager for British Dressage, shares with us the team’s progress, prospects and expectations leading up to the 2011 European Championships and 2012 London Olympic Games. Mary Lauritsen is in the co-host seat from sunny Florida. Listen in right here…

Dressage Radio Episode 91 – Show Notes and Links:

  • Host: Chris Stafford
  • Co-host: Mary Lauritsen
  • Photo Credit: Jo Prestwich
  • Guest: Richard Davison, World Class Performance Manager, British Dressage
  • News: U.S. to Send Young Riders to Aachen
  • News: Wellington Classic Spring Dressage
  • News: World Dressage Masters, Palm Beach, March 9-11, 2011, European Entries
    • Tinne Vilhelmsson (SWE) – a five time Olympian who represented Sweden at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Vilhelmsson has already tasted victory at the site of the WDM Palm Beach. Riding Favourit, she won the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Gold Coast Opener CDI-W at the Jim Brandon Center on January 22, 2011.
    • Anne Van Olst (DEN) – at her fourth Olympic Games in 2008, Van Olst was a member of the Danish team that won the bronze medal. A veteran of multiple European Championships, the two-time Danish Champion helped her team to finish fifth at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
    • Michal Rapcewicz (POL) – when Rapcewicz competed at the 2009 World Cup Dressage Final in Las Vegas, he made history as the first Polish rider ever to compete in the Final. He has also represented his country at the Olympics and World Equestrian Games.
    • Valentina Truppa (ITA) – a two-time European Young Rider Champion and three-time Young Rider World Cup Champion, Truppa is Italy’s top dressage competitor and a rising star in the international dressage world. This will be her first time in North America.
    • Anja Ploenzke (GER) – the leader of the WDM rankings following the WDM Hickstead in 2010, Ploenzke is a past bronze medalist at the German Dressage Championships.
    • Christa Laarakkers (NED) – this will be the second WDM appearance for Laarakkers, who is also campaigning in the World Cup Dressage Western European League 2010/11 season.
  • Link: EQUISKETCH – handy App where you can create, study and even animate your test
  • Link: Audible.com – free e-book and 14 day trial
  • Link: Hallway Feeds iPhone App Promo – free download at iTunes


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

Classical Dressage Master Walter Zettl Teaches Private Clinic at Pat Parelli University

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Classical Dressage Master Walter Zettl taught a private dressage clinic at Pat Parelli University in Ocala, Florida. Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc., founded by Pat and Linda Parelli, uses the same gentle and common sense techniques that Zettl uses in his approach to teaching dressage. (Photos courtesy of Coco Photography)

Ocala, FL (February 17, 2011) – Classical Dressage Master Walter Zettl has spent his life on the forefront of the dressage world, from coaching Olympic riders to producing DVDs and books that have become staples in dressage libraries the world over. Zettl has joined forces with Pat and Linda Parelli, founders of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc., and recently taught a private dressage clinic at the Parellis’ Ocala facility.

“Walter has been working with us for several years and is very natural in his approach and says teaching Parelli students is a luxury because so much is already in place, even if some of the students ride in a western saddle,” said Linda Parelli, adding that she and her husband Pat and several Mastery Students rode in the clinic with Zettl. “Walter really likes it that Pat and I take part in his clinics and ride in lessons with him. He likes it that we are constantly furthering our education.”

While the Parellis have built their Natural Horsemanship program based on in-depth equine psychology and common sense communication techniques between the horse and rider, which ultimately leads to success, these are the same principles Zettl has been using for years. “Walter puts the horse’s needs first and figures out if the horse needs calming, or motivation and energy, when being ridden,” Linda said. “Walter uses psychology and zero force, and tries to understand things from the horse’s point of view. He is always saying ‘gentle, gentle’ and loves that Parelli people already have a great relationship with their horse.”

Continue reading Classical Dressage Master Walter Zettl Teaches Private Clinic at Pat Parelli University →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping

London 2012 Olympic Equestrian Timetable Announced

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Lausanne (SUI), 15 February 2011 – The London 2012 Olympic equestrian timetable has been announced by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG). London 2012 will mark the 100th anniversary of equestrian sport in the Olympic movement.

The Olympic Opening Ceremony on 27 July will be followed by 12 days of equestrian competition, with the world’s best athletes competing for six gold medals in the Olympic disciplines of Eventing, Dressage and Jumping. The equestrian events all take place at the stunning Greenwich Park venue. Britain’s oldest Royal Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Greenwich Park is just 12 minutes from the main stadium.

Eventing opens the Olympic equestrian events on 28 July with two days of Dressage, followed by Cross-Country on 30 July and two rounds of Jumping on 31 July to decide the Team and Individual medals.

Dressage gets underway on 2 August with two days of Grand Prix competition, which forms the first qualifier for both the Team and Individual. The top seven Teams and 11 best-placed Individuals go forward to the Grand Prix Special on 7 August, which will decide the Team medals. The Freestyle to Music to decide the Individual medals takes place on 9 August.

Continue reading London 2012 Olympic Equestrian Timetable Announced →

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

Ride from Half Halt to Half Halt, by Jane Savoie

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The secret to riding your dressage horse like a professional is to ride from half halt to half halt rather than from movement to movement. The half halt is your connective tissue between the dressage movements. They’re what make your daily ride or dressage test look like it flows seamlessly like a dance.

I rode with Olympian Robert Dover for many years. One of Robert’s favorite sayings is, “Amateurs ride from movement to movement. Professionals ride from half halt to half halt.” I think those are words to live by.

So when you think about your ride or start memorizing a dressage test for a horse show, don’t focus on the individual dressage movements such as, “I do a 10 meter circle here, and then I do a leg-yield there. After that, I do a lengthening across the diagonal.” If that’s what you do, your ride will look choppy and amateurish.

Instead, think, “Do a half halt to prepare for the turn from the centerline to the circle. Give another one to balance my horse before I start the leg yield. And give another one to coil the spring of the hind legs so my horse can “boing” into the lengthening.”

Continue reading Ride from Half Halt to Half Halt, by Jane Savoie →

*Featured/Spotlights, Art/Photography, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Phelps Media Group

Susan J. Stickle Named 2011 Photographer for Challenge of the Americas & World Dressage Masters

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Steiner and Hoag from the 2010 Challenge of the Americas. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle.

Wellington, FL – February 9, 2011 – Noted and distinguished photographer Susan J. Stickle has been announced as the professional photographer for two exciting events that are coming to Wellington the week of March 10-13.  The World Dressage Masters returns to Wellington March 9-11, 2011, for the third year on its international tour, with three different competitions for dressage enthusiasts and the public alike held at the Jim Brandon Center.  The weekend events wrap up with the tenth annual Challenge of the Americas March 12, 2011, which includes a Grand Prix team dressage quadrille and musical freestyle competition.  This year, the Challenge will also feature a four-on-four polo match featuring patron level players.  The Challenge is held at International Polo Club Palm Beach and benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Stickle, originally from Maplewood, New Jersey, has been shooting professionally since 1995, covering local, regional and National Dressage championships. She bought her first camera at age 17 with her very first paycheck after always having an interest in photography.  She began riding western at age 20, and then moved to a dressage barn where she fell in love with the sport.

“At that time, there were no real professional photographers shooting the actual classes, only the awards,” noted Stickle.  “We just shot each other and our friends, and never looked back.”  Stickle started her business, Susan J. Stickle Photography, with longtime partner Jonna Koellhoffer and the two continue working together today. Susan rode dressage competitively with her chestnut Thoroughbred mare, Bonnie. The pair were high score champions at training level and went on to compete thru the lower levels. Her love of horses and her knowledge of dressage have given her a wonderfully keen eye that shows in her work.

Continue reading Susan J. Stickle Named 2011 Photographer for Challenge of the Americas & World Dressage Masters →

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

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach

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Wellington, FL – February 7, 2011 – Dressage is the oldest of equestrian disciplines and the basis for true harmony between rider and horse. The Greek philosopher Xenophon wrote the first recorded book on horsemanship in 350 BC. At that time and long after, horses were trained for warfare. During the Renaissance the riding schools of Vienna and Saumur contributed a lot in sophisticating dressage.

However only in the 20th century the public discovered the beauty of the ‘dancing horses’. The 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm were the first to stage dressage on an Olympic level. Dressage has never left the Olympic podium since and with the introduction of the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music in 1996 in Atlanta, dressage quickly gained popularity all over the world. Grand Prix Dressage, the highest expression of horse training, is considered to be the art of equestrian sport.

To compliment this fantastic sport and to contribute to its further internationalization and growth, sports marketing agency SportBizz, equestrian innovator Exquis have launched the World Dressage Masters (WDM) initiative in 2008. In 2011 the World Dressage Masters will feature four top class CDI5* shows:

9-11 March, Palm Beach, Florida USA

2-5 June, Munich, GER (final Nürnberger WDM Rider Ranking)

7-9 July, Flasterbo, SWE

29-31 July, Hickstead, GBR

Continue reading World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach →

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

World Dressage Masters Coming to Palm Beach

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Noreen O'Sullivan and John Flanagan will be the management team for the 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Wellington, FL (February 8, 2011) – The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach is set to take place at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on March 9-11, 2011. The World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group is the world’s richest dressage series, with 100,000 Euros in prize money offered at the Palm Beach event alone. It attracts many of the world’s top competitors, including Olympic and World Championship medalists.  Twenty of the world’s top ranked dressage pairs from Europe, the US, and Canada will be invited to compete in this prestigious event.

The American leg of the Masters, North America’s only CDI5* competition, was in danger of being cancelled for 2011, but thanks to the generous support of the Goodman family, International Polo Club Palm Beach and the show management team of Wellington Classic Dressage, the show will go on. Wellington Classic Dressage has entered into an agreement to host the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach for the next three years.

“On behalf of Wellington Classic Dressage, we are honored to have the opportunity to host this very prestigious event, with the help and support of our presenting sponsor International Polo Club Palm Beach and Akiko Yamazaki,” says Noreen O’Sullivan, show manager for Wellington Classic Dressage.

Continue reading World Dressage Masters Coming to Palm Beach →

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

2011 Dressage under the Stars Kicks Off Third Year

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Dressage under the Stars week one musical freestyle winner Chris Von Martels is joined by (l-r) Ted Rekal-Nuttall, Jane Savoie, Carole Grant, Tami Hoag, Rick Rockefeller-Silvia, and Juan Gonzalez. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Chris Von Martels Wins Dressage under the Stars Week 1

Wellington, FL (February 6, 2011) – For the third year in a row, Dressage under the Stars, held patio-side at The Players Club Bar & Grille, is the place to be on Wednesday nights in Wellington. This year will bring another eight weeks of exciting rider and horse combinations competing for weekly prizes and an opportunity for riders to return the final week to perform in the grand finale. Attendees were again guaranteed an enchanting night of FEI level musical freestyles, fine dining, cocktails, and new this year a VIP champagne tent.

Chris Von Martels stole the show with his winning performance on Don Darveen, a warmblood gelding by Donnerhall. Von Martels performed to music that included the Black Eyed Peas for a fun hip-hop combination musical freestyle. Don Darveen’s owner, Regina Sacha-Ujczo, drove all the way from Orlando to come see her horse perform.

Von Martels’ prizes included a custom Quantum Saddle, presented by Quantum Limited’s North American Representative Ted Rekal-Nuttall, 500 dollars cash, and VIP passes to the table service sponsorship tent. All competitors received a rider care package from The Wellington Institute, an American Express Gift Card donated by Jill Hoag of Keyes Company and a bundle of organic carrots for their horses.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13200

Awards, Breeds, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, USEF

Connemaras Honored with Special USEF Awards

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Donna Miller and ArdCeltic Art. Photo courtesy Donna Miller.

Lexington, KY – Each year at the United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year awards dinner, two Connemara Ponies are honored with special awards from the American Connemara Pony Society for excellence in USEF eventing and hunter competitions.

The McKenna Trophy is awarded in memory of Joan McKenna, and is presented to the high scoring purebred or halfbred Connemara competing in USEF eventing competitions at the Preliminary level or above. This year the McKenna Trophy was presented to ArdCeltic Art owned by Donna Miller of Alpharetta, GA. In 2010, ArdCeltic Art successfully competed at the Preliminary level with his owner, and also won in his debut in Intermediate with Clark Montgomery in the irons.

The Clifden Trophy, donated by D. J. Moore and Laura Balding, is given to the high scoring purebred or halfbred Connemara competing in USEF Pony Hunter divisions. The trophy was awarded again this year to Micaela Kennedy’s First Kiss. First Kiss was shown throughout 2010 with much success by Will Kennedy, Ashley Foster, Brianna Sims, Taylor Curry, Emily Hartley and Matthew Sassmannhausen.

Congratulations to both Connemaras on these outstanding achievements! For more information regarding the Clifden and McKenna trophies, please visit www.acps.org or contact Mary Vance at mvance@usef.org or (859) 225-6951.

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Eventing/H.T., FEI, USEA, USEF

USEF Helmet Rule Update: Executive Committee to Consider Changes Defining Application to Breed Competitions

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Steffen Peters wore a helmet during the Dressage Freestyle at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF Archive

Lexington, KY – The Executive Committee of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will meet to consider Extraordinary Rule Changes to clearly define the implementation of the Federation’s new helmet rule to breed competitions that offer dressage classes. The committee will meet later this month to discuss the changes, which will clarify the rule in the Andalusian, Arabian, Friesian and Morgan divisions of USEF Licensed Competitions.

To review the latest memo regarding the use of protective headgear for dressage, visit: http://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/dressage/HelmetMemo.pdf.

To reiterate the existing guidelines, please refer to the press release below, regarding the new helmet rules for dressage and eventing. To link directly to this press release online (for inclusion in an article), visit: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=6569&star=true.

Lexington, KY – January 25, 2011 – The Board of Directors during this year’s United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Annual Meeting approved new helmet rules for riders in both eventing and dressage – just two weeks after dozens of stakeholders in equestrian sport met with the goal of improving rider safety across disciplines.

Continue reading USEF Helmet Rule Update: Executive Committee to Consider Changes Defining Application to Breed Competitions →