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Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Dressage Show Supports Toys for Tots

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Michelle Gibson and Don Angelo claimed victory in the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge. Photo by Jennifer Wood

Wellington, FL – October 24, 2012 – The November 1 opening date for entries for the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge will soon be upon us, and you won’t want to miss out on this Great American/USDF qualifying competition while helping those less fortunate in the community.

The Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, produced by Wellington Classic Dressage and scheduled for December 8-9 at the Palm Beach County Equestrian Center, features classes for everyone.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Level 2 Competition offers United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Introductory Level to Musical Freestyles, USEF First through Fourth Levels, and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Prix St. Georges (PSG) through Grand Prix as well as FEI Musical Freestyles and FEI Five- and Six-Year-Old Tests.

Participants and spectators are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or check donation for Toys for Tots to help spread holiday cheer this season.

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Awards, Breeds, Competitions, Dressage, Events, JRPR

Lusitano Stallion Batistuta V.O. Is Two-for-Two after Winning Interagro Lusitano High Score Award at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge

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Carmen Franco and the Lusitano stallion Batistuta V.O. won the High Point Lusitano Award at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 12, 2012) – Nan Sexton’s handsome Lusitano Batistuta V.O. rode into the winner’s circle at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge, winning the USEF First/Second Level Test of Choice class with a 70.968%. Ridden by trainer Carmen Franco, the stallion’s score also helped him win the High Score Lusitano Award, sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos, the largest breeder and exporter of Lusitano horses in the world. The Holiday Challenge was the second show of Batistuta’s career, and the second time for the brilliant buckskin to earn the Lusitano High Score.

The High Score Lusitano Award, which is sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos of Brazil, recognizes the highest scoring Lusitano at select dressage shows on the Florida circuit and highlights the dynamic and competitive Lusitano breed. “I do enjoy the Lusitano breed,” said Franco, who trains for Sexton’s Southgate Farm. “This was Batistuta’s second show and there is no way to describe him except to say he is awesome. He’s a very talented and athletic horse with great gaits. He is only six years old, but he is a fun horse to ride and he has lots of positive energy. I think that the future will take him to the FEI level.”

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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.”

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

Tine Zinglersen and Today Win Custom Saddlery “Best Turned Out Horse” Award at Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge

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Tine Zinglersen and Today won the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award at the Wellington Classic Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (December 14, 2010) – Dressage rider Tine Zinglersen and a Dutch Warmblood named Today proved it was their day to shine at the Wellington Classic Dressage Holiday Challenge Toys for Tots Benefit Show when they rode away with the “Best Turned Out Horse” Award. Thanks to his gleaming coat and spotless appearance, Today, who is owned by Eugenia Revson of Pine Plains, New York, took home the award sponsored by Custom Saddlery, makers of handcrafted custom-fit dressage, jumping, and event saddles.

Zinglersen, who lives in New York but is originally from Denmark, was pleased with Today’s ride in the Prix St. George class. “We bought him three years ago in Holland. People always ask about his name, Today, but he came with it and we never change their name,” Zinglersen said.

Today’s beautiful dappled grey coat and pristine turnout helped him win a pair of fleece lined DSB Dressage Boots from Custom Saddlery. “Today is a gorgeous horse and I want to congratulate Tine and Eugenia on his turn out. He was positively gleaming and Tine was impeccably dressed as well. I know that Tine and Eugenia are in Wellington for the season and I want to wish them continued good luck throughout the coming shows,” said Cary Wallace, President and Master Saddle Fitter at Custom Saddlery, adding that he enjoys the time-honored tradition of horses being turned out in style.

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