Nations Cup Format to Include Grand Prix and Prix St. Georges Levels for Pan Am Games Test Event
Wellington, FL – February 9, 2013 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is pleased to announce details of the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm to be held at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival on April 11-14, 2013. The Nations Cup will test a new format for the Pan American Games, which are scheduled for Toronto in 2015. Along with welcoming teams that can compete in the Pan American Games, the Nations Cup competition is open to teams from all nations, including Europe and Australia. While initially it was proposed that team nationalities would be restricted, the competition is now open to teams of riders from any country, as it was in the 2012 event.
“The FEI initially proposed a more restrictive team structure, but when working with all the stakeholders, we reviewed and agreed that last year’s team formation was best for the sport and event. We are delighted at the cooperation between the FEI, the USEF, and ESP that has led to this landmark event that we are certain will be a success,” said Michael Stone, ESP President.
The FEI, USEF, and ESP have worked together for more than a year to develop the new format to help raise Pan Am Games dressage competition to Grand Prix level from small tour.
Stone continued, “We are doing our utmost to contribute to the development of dressage throughout the Americas and help countries prepare for the Pan American Games. To that end, we will make the Nations Cup a highlight of the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival and plan to host it in future years.”
The first Wellington Dressage Nations Cup, the only non-championship Nations Cup ever held in the Western Hemisphere, was held at PBIEC in April 2012, with teams made up of riders from throughout the Americas, Europe and Australia.
Under this year’s format, teams can be developed with any combination of horses performing at Prix St. Georges or Grand Prix for the first time in the history of Nations Cups. Teams will consist of either three or four horse and rider combinations. The competition can accept a maximum of 10 teams of four riders each. Riders must receive their National Federation’s permission to compete first and then form teams.
Teams can be made up of riders and horses solely from a single nation or composed of riders from more than one country, with priority given to Central and South America.
Thomas Baur of the FEI Dressage Committee explained, “We want this event to be as open as possible, and on the other hand supporting the nations from the Americas, mainly Central and South America, as much as we can, (for them) to take part in the test event and share this experience for further development.”
The FEI will award a Baccarat crystal horse head to the top team from Central and South America. In addition to the FEI America’s Award, an International Cup will also be presented as well as $35,000 in prize money. Title sponsor of the AGDF, Adequan, will present one of their special Adequan Tack Lockers to the high-scoring rider from Saturday night’s class.
The Pan American Games are held once every four years and are the second largest multi-sport event in the world–only the Olympics are larger. The Pan Ams are a qualifying event for the Olympics and are held a year ahead of the global Olympic Games.
For more information, prize list, or entries for the Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO 3* presented by Stillpoint Farm or the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com or call 561-793-5867.
About the Adequan Global Dressage Festival:
The Adequan 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 Adequan 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 Adequan GDF will feature six separate national shows to be held at the Stadium section of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) show grounds. The Adequan GDF encompasses almost 60 acres of the former Palm Beach Polo Grounds. The 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 for the International Arena fully catered for relaxing and having an enjoyable experience.
First Founding Sponsors: Matt Varney, Chris and Rob Desino, Wellington Equestrian Realty; Janet and William Richardson Pearson, Chesapeake Dressage Institute of Annapolis, MD; Devon and Terri Kane, Diamante Farm; Joe and Gaye Scarpa, Magnolia Farm; Tuny Page and Family, Stillpoint Farm; and Kimberly and Frederic Boyer, United States P.R.E. Association
Founding Sponsors: Ashley Holzer and Diane Fellows, Today’s Equestrian; Bethany Peslar, Everglades Dressage; Betsy Juliano, Havensafe Farm; Carol and Rebecca Cohen, Two Swans Farm LLC; Janne Rumbough, MTICA Farm; Mike & Roz Collins; Suhail and PJ Rizvi, Peacock Ridge; and Tim and Susie Dutta, The Dutta Corp.
Corporate Sponsors: Brown Distributing, Champion Equine Insurance, Charles Owen, Chronicle of the Horse, Custom Saddlery, Der Dau, Dever Golf Carts, Equestrian Services International (ESI), Elite Equestrian Magazine, European Dressage Connection, Gold Coast Feed & Supply, Horse Of Course, Horseware Ireland, Interagro Lusitanos, Moet Hennessy USA, Nespresso USA, Paddock Cakes, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Pennfield, Piaffe Performance, Premier Equestrian, Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach, Rolex, Sanctuary at PBIEC, Show Chic, Sidelines Magazine, World Equestrian Brands
Please visit
www.globaldressagefestival.com
www.equestriansport.com
or call 561-793-5867 for more information.
Adequan Global Dressage Festival is located at
13500 South Shore Blvd, Wellington, Florida 33414
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