Daniel Martin Dockx (ESP) and Grandioso, a 1999 P.R.E. stallion, won the FEI Grand Prix Special at the 2015 AGDF 3. Photos: ©SusanJStickle.
Wellington, FL – January 27, 2016 – The U.S. P.R.E Association, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to promoting and expanding the global reach of the Pure Spanish horse (P.R.E.) will return to the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) as the title sponsor of AGDF 3 FEI CDI-W competition and the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle this week at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), beginning Wednesday, January 27, and concluding Sunday, January 31, showcasing international Large and Small Tour competition.
The U.S. P.R.E. Association, a long-time sponsor of the AGDF circuit, has seen tremendous growth through the increased presence of the Spanish horse on both national and international dressage circuits around the world. Through the course of their five-year sponsorship with AGDF, the competition has provided an unmatched platform, which has allowed a variety of riders, trainers, and owners from around the world access to this one-of-a-kind breed.
“The Adequan® Global Dressage Festival is a world-class organization and event that is hosted at an absolutely elite venue. We knew that partnering with AGDF would be essential to our global brand,” noted Joan Mack, Executive Director of the U.S. P.R.E. Association. “How could you not be involved with the biggest and most important competition venue in the country and quite possibly the world? There was no question that we knew we had to be involved.”
“We are so appreciative of the continued generosity from the members of our Board of Directors who completely underwrote our sponsorship for the season. This allows us to direct money raised back to our members and breeders. U.S. P.R.E. Association’s sponsorship of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival has always been underwritten for us and we are grateful for that support,” she continued.
The success of the Spanish horse breed as a choice for both professional and amateur dressage competitors has been immense. The breed has exploded in popularity throughout North America, with the U.S. P.R.E. Association recording a healthy expansion of breed registrations and increased participation each year.
“It wasn’t enough to just remind people about the Olympics and the World Games performances. We wanted to make sure that people know and our breeders knew the endless possibilities for the P.R.E.,” said Mack. “We wanted to offer the ability and possibility for our breeders to witness the reach of the Spanish horse and really open up this world to them. We’re seeing more and more people breed this horse today as a sport horse and they’re winning ribbons in a number of different disciplines.”
Kim Boyer, President of the U.S. P.R.E. Association, has been a major influencer for the breed, maximizing opportunities and educating members on ways to market their horses, as well as increase awareness and reach for their businesses, according to Mack. She explained, “Kim is truly the strategic head of the organization. She’s taught the board how to put the P.R.E. out in front of the world-class competitors and that’s what we’ve done. It’s been a massive success for the breed, and it wouldn’t have been possible without her knowledge and expertise.”
As the venue continues to develop new opportunities for riders and their mounts, the established presence of the Spanish horse is notable on both ends of the competition spectrum, in the international arena as well as throughout the national shows also hosted at the facility. The growth of the P.R.E in the United States mirrors the development of the AGDF venue and is a prime example of the influence the world’s largest dressage competition offers to emerging sport horse breeds.
“We know that expansion is a major part of the vision and there is no way that this breed would be where it is today in the United States if it weren’t for this vision. We knew we had something going when we became involved with this competition, but nobody ever thought that it was going to become as big as it has,” she elaborated. “We’re amazed at what we’ve been able to accomplish through the success of the show and I don’t think that any of us thought that it would be this big. In our wildest dreams we absolutely hoped, but I don’t think that anyone really realized where we would be. It’s beyond our wildest dreams.”
For more information, please visit www.USPREA.com.
About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:
The Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) is one of the world’s largest international and national dressage circuits featuring 7 FEI Dressage events, including a 5* and the only FEI Nations’ Cup Series CDIO in the Western Hemisphere. The AGDF offers more than $650,000 in prize money for the seven international competitions, making it one of the richest circuits in the world. The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center facility includes the Van Kampen covered arena (made possible by Kimberly and Frederic Boyer and family) and four outdoor arenas with world-class footing, 200 permanent stalls, and a VIP seating area.
Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.pbiec.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.
Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
The Stadium at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414
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