Tag Archives: Wellington Classic Dressage

2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Thanks International Polo Club Palm Beach for Continued Support

Margaret Duprey's Otto, ridden at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by Todd Flettrich. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – February 21, 2011 – The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach, which forms part of the world’s most prestigious dressage series, will take place on March 9-11, 2011 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL. The preservation of WDM Palm Beach is due to the generous and enthusiastic support of its presenting sponsor, International Polo Club Palm Beach.

When it was announced that the 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach was to be cancelled, it appeared that the world’s richest dressage competition would disappear from North America. However, the Goodman family, International Polo Club Palm Beach and its members stepped in quickly to ensure that the show would go on. “In my talks with Mr. Goodman, he showed a profound interest in not only saving the Masters for 2011, but to extend IPC’s commitment for the long-term,” says WDM Managing Director John van de Laar. “WDM, IPC and Wellington Classic Dressage created a three year agreement, so from now on it can only get better.”

A dressage competition sponsored by a polo club isn’t as odd as it sounds. Events featuring dressage, such as the breast cancer fundraiser Challenge of the Americas, have been held at the International Polo Club for the past number of years. Approximately 20 percent of IPC members are involved with dressage in South Florida, including International Dressage Rider Arlene ‘Tuny’ Page.

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Cesar Parra and Piaffe-Performance Students Make a Splash at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI

International dressage rider and trainer Cesar Parra, who owns Piaffe-Performance with locations in Florida and New Jersey, rode into the winner’s circle at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI on Grandioso. (Photo courtesy of Horse Sport Photo.com)

Wellington, FL (February 21, 2011) – International Dressage Rider Cesar Parra and his students at Piaffe-Performance made a big splash at the Wellington Classic Dressage Spring Challenge CDI, when Parra and all eight of his students rode into the winner’s circle. Despite rain that kept the sky cloudy and the rings muddy, the riders at Piaffe-Performance shone as they captured the blue in 11 classes at the show.

“I am so excited about this show and how all of my riders did. I am so proud of everyone,” Parra said. “We had eight riders and won 11 classes, which is truly wonderful. In addition to my students doing great, I feel like I rode two very special horses, Grandioso and Lindner, and was very pleased that both horses did their best and were successful.”

Parra said that although the rings were a mess and it was raining, he made the decision to ride. “It was raining like crazy and a lot of competitors were scratching but I made the decision to go ahead and compete and I am really glad I did,” Parra said. “I was able to ride and warm up like I always do and within five minutes the sun came out. I competed Grandioso in the Intermediaire 2 class, which is a more risky and more forward test, but Grandioso stepped up to the challenge and I am so proud of him.”

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Caroline Roffman Kicks Off New Year by Competing In and Winning Young Rider Grand Prix

Caroline Roffman competed in and won her first Grand Prix on her Danish horse Lux Stensvang at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I Show. (Photo courtesy of HorseSportsPhoto .com)

Wellington, FL (January 18, 2011) – Dressage rider Caroline Roffman kicked off the New Year by competing in and winning the Young Rider Grand Prix on Lux Stensvang at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I Show. Roffman, who was named the 2010 FEI Rising Star by the International Equestrian Federation, won the FEI or Equivalent Test of Choice Open on Lux with a score of 68.605% and also rode Pie to the win in the FEI or Equivalent Test of Choice Open with a 72.105%.

“It was only mine and Lux’s second time riding the Young Rider Grand Prix,” Roffman said. “I purchased Lux, who is nine years old, from Blue Horse Stud in Denmark through my trainer Lars Petersen. He is a Danish gelding by Lobster, and I’ve owned him for about a year and a half. We rode the Young Rider Grand Prix for the first time at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge in December, and it went really well.  But I was also really nervous. So nervous, in fact, I forgot to salute at the end!  But at this past show, our second time showing the Young Rider Grand Prix, things went much smoother and our scores are steadily improving.”

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