Wellington, FL – March 18, 2012 – Tina Konyot and her Calecto V scored an impressive 72.644% to take the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI***, presented by the Chesapeake Dressage Institute, held March 15-18 at the Global Dressage Festival (GDF) Stadium show grounds in Wellington, FL.
Konyot’s competitive record proves she is a top athlete. She has been named to the USET Developing List, the USET Grand Prix List and short listed for the United States Olympic Equestrian Team. In 2010 Tina and Calecto V competed in the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky.
Steffan Peters and Anne Gribbons have been giving Elite Developing Clinic in Florida and California for the top horses and riders who may be in contention to be selected for the USA Team for the Olympics. Konyot took advantage of the opportunity to work with these two dressage greats.
“The last clinic with Steffan and Anne gave me direction,” said Konyot. “He is still a stallion, and that can be difficult sometime, but I was very happy today. We are headed in a direction where we are both happy. This training program I have is the best one I’ve ever had, and having a support system behind me is a huge plus.”
Two percentage points separated Konyot from her closest rival. Shawna Harding and Come On III scored 70.622% to capture second place, and Ashley Holzer with Pop Art garnered 70.378% to finish in third.
About the Global Dressage Festival
The Global Dressage Festival (GDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring five CDIs, including a 5*, the first non-championship CDIO Nations’ Cup in the Western Hemisphere, and nine U.S. national events.
The GDF is offering more than $275,000 in prize money for the five international competitions making it one of the richest circuits in the world. In addition to the CDIs with national competitions, the GDF will feature four separate national shows to be held at the newly constructed venue that extends the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds.
The GDF encompasses almost 60 acres of the former Palm Beach Polo Grounds. The facility includes four outdoor arenas with world class footing. Future planned improvements include a covered arena, permanent covered spectator seating for the central outdoor arena and a permanent Patrons Club and 200 permanent stalls.
Please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.