Dressage Rider Suzanne Dansby-Bollman Heads to Dressage at Devon with Cooper and New Musical Freestyle

Atlanta, GA (September 21, 2011) – Dressage rider Suzanne Dansby-Bollman is thrilled that her Grand Prix partner Cooper, an 18.3 hand Holsteiner gelding, has returned to the show ring after an injury that took him out of competition four years ago. The 19-year-old superstar is back, better than ever, and will compete at the prestigious Dressage at Devon, September 27 – October 2, with a musical freestyle designed especially for the impressive and expressive gelding.

“Words can’t describe how excited I am that Cooper will be able to compete at Devon. We were invited to compete at the National Grand Prix Championships at Gladstone, but I decided not to go because I felt we needed the extra two weeks to work on our new freestyle,” Dansby-Bollman said. “Terry Ciatti-Gallo and I have been working these past couple of months on the choreography for a new and exciting freestyle for Cooper, which we will debut at Devon. We entertained the idea of using other types of music, but revisited the Celtic theme. We both concluded that it is the most suitable for Cooper’s personality, and his big, expressive gaits.”

Dansby-Bollman said she believes Cooper will be at the optimum fitness level for Devon and she is looking forward to the show, which is considered a premier North American equestrian event. “We are ready to go for it now, especially since the temperatures have dropped 25 degrees, literally, from 100 degrees to 75 degrees in the last couple of days,” she said, adding that her Atlanta-based Dancing Horse Farm can get quite hot.

Dressage at Devon is located on the historic Devon Horse Show Grounds in Devon, Pennsylvania, and features world-class dressage competition as well as the world’s largest open breed show. “Devon is one of the most exciting venues we have in the United States. It is steeped with tradition and year after year the organizers do an admirable job of attracting lots of spectators, high-end vendors, and loyal volunteers,” Dansby-Bollman said. “It also feels good that I am participating in a show that gives back to charity with a portion of their proceeds.”

Dressage at Devon benefits Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Inc., one of the oldest and largest therapeutic riding facilities in the nation. Since 1991 Dressage at Devon has raised in excess of $1,000,000 for Thorncroft. “I believe that Thorncroft Equestrian Center is a worthy recipient. Each year that I have shown at Devon, I have donated my own prize money back to Thorncroft and for anyone willing to match my donation, I will match it again, doubling my original donated amount. So bring it on!” said Dansby-Bollman.  This year Dansby-Bollman is also sponsoring the competitor’s party at Devon.

When actively competing in the past, Dansby-Bollman was long or short listed every year for the USET Dressage Team on either Cooper or her other former Grand Prix horse, Goubergh’s Kasper. She was also an alternate for the World Equestrian Games in Germany. Dansby-Bollman owns and operates Dancing Horse Farm in Atlanta, where she utilizes the principles of classical dressage in her training.  For more information, visit the website at www.dhfdressage.com.

For more information contact:
Suzanne Dansby-Bollman
sdb@mindspring.com
www.dhfdressage.com
1-404-603-3900