Wellington, FL – March 15, 2012 – Ashley Holzer and Pop Art were the big winners of the FEI Grand Prix 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.
Holzer and Pop Art garnered a sore of 71.447% from the five international judges, enough to hold off Tina Konyot and Calecto V, who scored 70.191% for second place.
The big chestnut gelding performed well and Holzer seemed to be enjoying the ride. This is one of a long list of wins for Pop Art and this mother of three, who does not consider herself a professional rider.
Holzer was on Canada’s bronze medal team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and represented her homeland in the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2008 Beijing Games. She represented Canada in the first World Equestrian Games in Stockholm in 1990 then in Jerez, Spain in 2002, Aachen Germany in 2006 and the World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1989 and Las Vegas in 2009. She also won team gold at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba, and team silver at the 2003 Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo.
The Prix St. Georges class was won by Caroline Roffman and Pie, who, with a score of 68.789%, narrowly beat Shawna Harding on Riggo with 68.526%.
Harding was all smiles, even after coming in second. “This is the first time he has been at this venue,” she stated. “He was really energized. Overall I think his performance was really good. He tried to stay with me even though he was a little distracted. His movements are spectacular. He’s a fantastic horse and he does really try.”
Riggo is a 2001 Hanoverian Gelding by Rotspon. Imported in 2006, Riggo has excelled in Harding’s program. At 16.1 hands, this little powerhouse has already garnered several awards in his young career.
Riders from the United States and several nations will be competing at the GDF. International competition on Saturday, March 17 features the FEI Intermediaire I in the morning, and the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle class which will once again be held under the lights in the evening. Sunday, March 18 features the FEI Olympic Grand Prix Special and the FEI Intermediaire Freestyle.
The best place to enjoy international competition at the GDF is in the Global Pavilion. There are a limited number of tickets available for tables where guests are treated to a breakfast buffet and lunch with an open bar. The Pavilion will also be open on Saturday evening during the Freestyle. A reserved table for 6 guests during the three days of international competition is $1,500. To make reservations, please call Annette Goyette at 561-784-1120.
For more information please visit the Global Dressage Festival website at www.globaldressagefestival.com under the link of dressage show information and ride times on the main homepage.
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.