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Laura Noyes Blocks Julie McKean from Hat Trick in Young Rider Competition at 2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y |
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May 23, 2008 |
 Soon-to-be-21-year-old Laura Noyes won the CDI Young Rider Freestyle at the 2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y, thus keeping Julie McKean from sweeping the CDI Young Rider category. McKean and Stavinsky had won both Friday's Young Rider Team Test and Saturday's Young Rider Prix St. Georges. Noyes and Syncro won the Freestyle with a score of 69.35 percent. McKean scored 65.70.
Noyes and McKean are both originally from Maine. McKean is now in college in Florida and Noyes goes to college in Ohio where she now trains with George Williams. She's owned Syncro, a 14-year-old Trakhener gelding by Enrico Caruso, for five years and has brought him up the levels, but they missed out on last year's show season. "Unfortunately, last year he was injured and we couldn't train at all."
Hence, the Derby was the first time she's competed with her freestyle in more than a year. "I was really happy that it all came together. There were a few mistakes but overall, I thought it was rather well," Noyes said. Ruth Hogan Poulson helped her with the freestyle and Noyes said the most difficult part is the canter work because it changes rather quickly. "There are a lot of movements that come right after another so he really had to be with me in order not to have mistakes."
Noyes turns 21 this month and this will be her last year as a young rider. Hence, not only is she aiming for the national championships in California, but she is also hoping to make it to the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships in Colorado.
More news coming soon on the winners of the Intermediaire Freestyle
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25th Anniversary of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y |
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May 23, 2008 |
 Get the Daily Derby Dish Right Here
On the Scene coverage a brought to you by:
 We share your passion for Dressage! DressageDaily is brought to you by Mary Phelps, a Markel Equine Insurance Specialist - Visit us online 24/7, take our insurance tour, read informative articles, and download applications for prompt personal service.
* PhelpsPhotos.com - The Official Photographer for the Palm Beach Dressage Derby - Sign Up Form - Stop by the HorsesDaily RV to book your ride
* Visit HorsesDaily's Virtual Vendor for more shopping fun!
 Jane Hannigan and Maksymilian Earn a Trip to the 2008 Dressage World Cup on Score Earned at 2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y
Jane Hannigan is off to the 2008 Dressage World Cup following her win Sunday in the CDI Grand Prix Freestyle at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y. Hannigan and Maksymilian scored a 72.85 percent putting them on the U.S. World Cup team. That score also earned them a second place in the Grand Prix Freestyle behind Canadian Ashley Holzer with Pop Art and their score of 77.45 percent.
Hannigan was beaming. "I'm so happy. The horse felt great today." Hannigan was rather astounded by her high freestyle score considering that she admitted to being out of sync with her music at some points in her ride. She's working on a new freestyle that is more technically difficult but opted not to change for the qualifying class. Read More....
Shawna Harding and Susan Jaccoma Battle Once Again at the 25th Annual Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y
By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com
 Loxahatchee, Florida – Shawna Harding and Come On III continued their winning ways at the 25th Annual Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y taking the blue in Friday's CDI Prix St. Georges competition with a score of 68.05 percent. And right on their heels again were Sue Jaccoma and Wadamur in second place with a score of 67.60 percent. Third went to Patricia Becker and Sandor with a score of 66.05 percent. While Jacomma felt that she and Wadamur, an eight-year-old Hanoverian sired by Weltmeyer, were also having fabulous rides, she said youth may be all that's keeping Wadamur from consistent wins. "Shawna's horse is a year older and maybe he has 365 days of gaining more confidence and 365 days of more strength. Read More....
DressageDaily's Mary Phelps-Hathaway – Markel Equine Insurance Specialist Hosts the 5th Annual "Palm beach Dressage Derby Inspection Reception"
DressageDaily's Mary Phelps-Hathaway, a  Markel Equine Insurance Specialist will start off the weekend's festivities at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby Thursday afternoon after the CDI Horse Inspection hosting her Fifth Annual "Inspection Reception" catered by Jim and Terry Toomey's Paradise Café. Mary Phelps, a longtime equine insurance agent celebrates her 5th year with Markel at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby.Be sure to stop by the HorsesDaily RV at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby for applications and more information. And if you see Mary also the official photogrpaher for the Derby out and about taking photos, don't be afraid to approach her with any questions you might have. Read More....
Mushroom Matrix Celebrates 1st Anniversary at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby
Stop by The HorsesDaily RV for the Palm Beach Derby Show Special!
Golden Gourmet Mushrooms Inc has sent a load of their finest gourmet mushrooms for the Palm Beach Dressage Derby "Inspection Reception" February 28, to be included in an Asian themed menu presented by Jim and Terry Toomey's Paradise Café.
On hand throughout the weekend will be Vice president Keith Manfred available to explain the research and benefits if this product, not just for equines but humans too. Read More....
Shop Till You Drop at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby - Party With the Vendors March 2 for "A Taste of the Derby"
An unprecedented number of vendors have signed on as exhibitors at the 2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby adding to the all 'round experience for both spectators and competitors. On Saturday, March 2 afternoon as the competition winds down, be ready to party along vendor's row as each shop will have their own "Taste of the Derby" reception. The DressageDaily.com RV, sponsored by RV Sales of Broward will head up the experience with a celebrity chef and wine tasting, brought to you by The Mushroom Matrix.
Here are the Vendors for the 2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby
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2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby |
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May 23, 2008 |
This summer we gave our readers a small taste of our trip to Alaska with Dressage trainer Sue Kolstad. She shared with us her love of this exciting state and best of all her friendships across the state with her students who she visits and trains on a regular basis. Kolstad, and FEI rider and trainer lives in Kentucky and can often be seen in Florida in the winter. With her background in education and her mid-western sensibility, Sue not only conveys her knowledge to her students adjusting to their level and the level of their horses, but also shares the vast knowledge she has learned from her training, clinics, books and symposiums with many of the great dressage trainers of our time.
We only shared a “taste” this summer of our trip on DressageDaily, because we have been planning on this feature ever since. We deliberately waited until the Alaskan sun moved into the 24 hour winter darkness, because in the summer where the sky is light for 24 hours Alaskans take advantage of every moment they can to fill their days up with summer activity. We wanted to be sure we could sit them down in front of their computers long enough to read our account!
Mary and JJ overlooking "The Spit" in Homer, AlaskaHungry for knowledge, and passionate about equestrian sport, the winter months are spent having group get togethers reviewing videos, training on line, and squeezing in daily riding in the few indoor arenas available to them. We saw some wonderful horses, well bred, talented for both the serious amateur and professional. Every new friend had an interesting and rich life. All were happy to share the country they love so much making sure we saw as much of Alaska as we could.
This feature is meant to share more of our journey, and illustrate how even to the end of the continent of North America, equestrian sport is alive and well. Sue gives her account, and we add our version (In the colored box) along with lots of photos!
Tune in tomorrow Sunday, December 30, for the first segment of our week long feature on our journey through this amazing state.
Enjoy – Mary Phelps-Hathaway
Get the Daily Derby Dish Right Here
On the Scene coverage a brought to you by:
We share your passion for Dressage! DressageDaily is brought to you by Mary Phelps, a Markel Equine Insurance Specialist - Visit us online 24/7, take our insurance tour, read informative articles, and download applications for prompt personal service.
* PhelpsPhotos.com - The Official Photographer for the Palm Beach Dressage Derby - Sign Up Form - Stop by the HorsesDaily RV to book your ride
* Visit HorsesDaily's Virtual Vendor for more shopping fun!
Jane Hannigan and Maksymilian Earn a Trip to the 2008 Dressage World Cup on Score Earned at 2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y
Jane Hannigan is off to the 2008 Dressage World Cup following her win Sunday in the CDI Grand Prix Freestyle at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y. Hannigan and Maksymilian scored a 72.85 percent putting them on the U.S. World Cup team. That score also earned them a second place in the Grand Prix Freestyle behind Canadian Ashley Holzer with Pop Art and their score of 77.45 percent.
Hannigan was beaming. "I'm so happy. The horse felt great today." Hannigan was rather astounded by her high freestyle score considering that she admitted to being out of sync with her music at some points in her ride. She's working on a new freestyle that is more technically difficult but opted not to change for the qualifying class. Read More....
Shawna Harding and Susan Jaccoma Battle Once Again at the 25th Annual Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y
By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com
Loxahatchee, Florida – Shawna Harding and Come On III continued their winning ways at the 25th Annual Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y taking the blue in Friday's CDI Prix St. Georges competition with a score of 68.05 percent. And right on their heels again were Sue Jaccoma and Wadamur in second place with a score of 67.60 percent. Third went to Patricia Becker and Sandor with a score of 66.05 percent. While Jacomma felt that she and Wadamur, an eight-year-old Hanoverian sired by Weltmeyer, were also having fabulous rides, she said youth may be all that's keeping Wadamur from consistent wins. "Shawna's horse is a year older and maybe he has 365 days of gaining more confidence and 365 days of more strength. Read More....
DressageDaily's Mary Phelps-Hathaway – Markel Equine Insurance Specialist Hosts the 5th Annual "Palm beach Dressage Derby Inspection Reception"
DressageDaily's Mary Phelps-Hathaway, a Markel Equine Insurance Specialist will start off the weekend's festivities at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby Thursday afternoon after the CDI Horse Inspection hosting her Fifth Annual "Inspection Reception" catered by Jim and Terry Toomey's Paradise Café. Mary Phelps, a longtime equine insurance agent celebrates her 5th year with Markel at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby.Be sure to stop by the HorsesDaily RV at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby for applications and more information. And if you see Mary also the official photogrpaher for the Derby out and about taking photos, don't be afraid to approach her with any questions you might have. Read More....
Mushroom Matrix Celebrates 1st Anniversary at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby
Stop by The HorsesDaily RV for the Palm Beach Derby Show Special!
Golden Gourmet Mushrooms Inc has sent a load of their finest gourmet mushrooms for the Palm Beach Dressage Derby "Inspection Reception" February 28, to be included in an Asian themed menu presented by Jim and Terry Toomey's Paradise Café.
On hand throughout the weekend will be Vice president Keith Manfred available to explain the research and benefits if this product, not just for equines but humans too. Read More....
Shop Till You Drop at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby - Party With the Vendors March 2 for "A Taste of the Derby"
An unprecedented number of vendors have signed on as exhibitors at the 2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby adding to the all 'round experience for both spectators and competitors. On Saturday, March 2 afternoon as the competition winds down, be ready to party along vendor's row as each shop will have their own "Taste of the Derby" reception. The DressageDaily.com RV, sponsored by RV Sales of Broward will head up the experience with a celebrity chef and wine tasting, brought to you by The Mushroom Matrix.
Here are the Vendors for the 2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby
On the Scene
* Laura Noyes Blocks Julie McKean from Hat Trick in Young Rider Competition
* Everyone's a Winner in DressageDaily/PhelpsPhotos Lead Line Class
* Canadian Jackie Brooks Earns Her First Derby Win In the Grand Prix Special
* Kassandra Barteau Kicks Off Six Weeks on the Florida Circuit With a Bang
* Ashley Holzer Earns Highest Score of Her Show Career In the Grand Prix Freestyle
* Jane Hannigan and Maksymilian Earn a Trip to the 2008 Dressage World Cup
* Young Vaulters Impress Lunch Crowd
* Day Three of the 2008 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y is Good for Some American Olympic Contenders and Not So Good for Others
* Canadians Ashley Holzer and Jacqueline Brooks One Step Closer to Hong Kong Olympics
* Shop Till You Drop at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby - Party With the Vendors March 2 for "A Taste of the Derby"
* A Day of Mall Shopping Pays off for Mystere Moyes in Best-Dressed Contest
* Five-Year-Old Wencenza Scores High with Jodie Stevens Kelly
* Julie McKean Takes Blue in Young Rider Team Competition
* Another Blue for Shawna Harding and Come On III In the Prix St Georges
* Shawna Harding and Susan Jaccoma Neck and Neck in the PSG-II
* Shop Till You Drop at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby - Party With the Vendors March 2 for "A Taste of the Derby"
* Mushroom Matrix Celebrates 1st Anniversary at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby - Stop by The HorsesDaily RV for the Palm Beach Derby Show Special!
* DressageDaily's Mary Phelps-Hathaway – Markel Equine Insurance Specialist Hosts the 5th Annual "Palm beach Dressage Derby Inspection Reception"
* Calling All Dressage Kids! Enter the PhelpsPhotos Palm Beach Dressage Derby Lead-Line Class Sunday March 2
* Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y
Results
* Sunday, March 2, 2008, CDN Results
* Sunday, March 2, 2008, Intermediaire Freestyle CDI
* Sunday, March 2, 2008, Young Rider Freestyle CDI
* Sunday, March 2, 2008, Grand Prix Special CDI
* Sunday, March 2, 2008, Grand Prix Freestyle CDI
* Saturday, March 1, 2008, Grand Prix CDI
* Saturday, March 1, 2008, Intermediaire I
* Saturday, March 1, 2008, Young Riders
* Saturday, March 1, 2008, CDN Results
* Friday, February 29, 2008 - Intermediaire II
* Friday, February 29, 2008 - Young Rider Team Test
* Friday, February 29, 2008 - Prix St Georges
* Friday, February 29, 2008 - CDN Results
* Thursday, February 28, 2008 - CDN Results
Archived Coverage
* 2007 Palm Beach Dressage Derby
* 2006 Palm Beach Dressage Derby
* 2005 Palm Beach Dressage Derby
* 2004 Palm Beach Dressage Derby
* 2003 Palm Beach Dressage Derby
* 2002 Palm Beach Dressage Derby
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A Dressage Trainer Working in Alaska |
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May 23, 2008 |
 This summer we gave our readers a small taste of our trip to Alaska with Dressage trainer Sue Kolstad. She shared with us her love of this exciting state and best of all her friendships across the state with her students who she visits and trains on a regular basis. Kolstad, and FEI rider and trainer lives in Kentucky and can often be seen in Florida in the winter. With her background in education and her mid-western sensibility, Sue not only conveys her knowledge to her students adjusting to their level and the level of their horses, but also shares the vast knowledge she has learned from her training, clinics, books and symposiums with many of the great dressage trainers of our time.
We only shared a “taste” this summer of our trip on DressageDaily, because we have been planning on this feature ever since. We deliberately waited until the Alaskan sun moved into the 24 hour winter darkness, because in the summer where the sky is light for 24 hours Alaskans take advantage of every moment they can to fill their days up with summer activity. We wanted to be sure we could sit them down in front of their computers long enough to read our account!
 Hungry for knowledge, and passionate about equestrian sport, the winter months are spent having group get togethers reviewing videos, training on line, and squeezing in daily riding in the few indoor arenas available to them. We saw some wonderful horses, well bred, talented for both the serious amateur and professional. Every new friend had an interesting and rich life. All were happy to share the country they love so much making sure we saw as much of Alaska as we could.
This feature is meant to share more of our journey, and illustrate how even to the end of the continent of North America, equestrian sport is alive and well. Sue gives her account, and we add our version (In the colored box) along with lots of photos!
Tune in tomorrow Sunday, December 30, for the first segment of our week long feature on our journey through this amazing state.
Enjoy – Mary Phelps-Hathaway
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Euro Update: Anders Dahl Leads Western European League World Cup Ranking |
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May 23, 2008 |
 Danish Anders Dahl is currently leading the Western European League World Cup Ranking after the first four world cup qualifiers held in 2007. Aboard Fiona Bigwood's 17-year old gelding Afrikka, Dahl tops the ranking with 56 points followed by Dutch Laurens van Lieren on Hexagon's Olright.
Quality comes of age as Dahl and Afrikka are scoring personal best marks this autumn, some at the Western European League indoor world cup qualifiers, which started three weeks ago in Odense, Denmark. The autumn season started with two high scores of 75 % in the Kur at the CDI Fritzens and CDI Piber followed by an impressive win in the World Cup qualifier at the CDI-W Kaposvar. Three weeks ago at the CDI-W Odense, Dahl and Afrikka scored 68.708 in the Grand Prix and 72.750% in the Kur to Music finishing 8th twice. Two weeks later, he neared those marks at the CDI-W Stockholm, scoring 67.750% in the Grand Prix and 71.550% in the Kur to Music, landing a 7th and 6th place behind the world's best riders.
Due to a change of rules for the season 2007-2008 the World Cup title defender does not receive World Cup™ Points! This time title defender Isabell Werth was the winner in Odense and Frankfurt but for this reason she is not listed in the rankings. Also Canadian Evi Strasser didn’t receive World Cup Points at the Western European League qualifiers in London and Mechelen.
The current Western European League World Cup ranking is:
1. Anders DAHL (DEN) 56
2. Laurens VAN LIEREN (NED) 43
3. Anky VAN GRUNSVEN (NED) 40
3. Jan BRINK (SWE) 40
5. Nathalie ZU SAYN WITTGENSTEIN (DEN) 39
6. Patricia CALLAGHAN (NED) 35
7. Jeroen DEVROE (BEL) 32
8. Catherina HADDAD (USA) 30
9. Victoria MAX THEURER (AUT) 29
10. Louise NATHHORST (SWE) 24
11. Stephanie CROXFORD (GBR) 23
12. Emma KARLSSON (SWE) 20
13. Juan Manuel MUNOZ DIAZ (ESP) 19
13. Silvia IKLE (SWI) 19
15. Wayne CHANNON (GBR) 18
15. Aat VAN ESSEN (NED) 18
The 2007-2008 Western European League World Cup Qualifier circuit continues with the Qualifier in Amsterdam January 24-27, 2008. After Amsterdam one more qualifier is at stake before the final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
Second Printing of the FEI Judges' Handbook Now Available
Authored by some of the most experienced FEI Dressage Judges, the "FEI Dressage Handbook: Guidlines for Judging" will prove invaluable not only to the education of Dressage Judges but also to riders and trainers at all levels. It will not only help with the understanding and clarification of the scores, but also with the awareness of the criteria outlined in the FEI Dressage Rulebook.
The price is CHF 40.00 plus postage and all proceeds from the book will go to the education of FEI Dressage Judges. To order the Book please click here
More Euro News at Eurodressage.com
Related Links
Mr G de Lully to Anders Dahl
FEI Dressage Handbook - Guidelines for Judging Now Available
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Olympians Representing USET Foundation Cheered by Millions in 119th Rose Parade |
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May 23, 2008 |
" This will be the most people we will ever ride in front of," said Melanie Smith Taylor to Beezie Madden as they rode down Colorado Avenue in the 119th Rose Parade on New Year's Day in Pasadena, California, as part of the 12-member all-Olympian squad representing the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation. Indeed, more than a million spectators lined the five-and-a-half mile route for the two-hour parade that featured floats, marching bands, and 300 horses, including for the first time in history, a squad representing the U.S. Equestrian Team.
"It was just a sea of people," noted Smith Taylor, a show jumping veteran and Team Gold Medalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. "I was so amazed that for the whole length of the parade, just wall-to-wall people came out to watch and all of them were smiling and waving. It just made you feel so good to be a part of it. If you could just bring extra joy to their day - because they certainly brought joy to us being out there waving to us. It was quite spectacular."
The team representing the USET Foundation in the Rose Parade was comprised of the three Olympic equestrian sports, with four members in each discipline - all of whom had participated in at least one Olympic Games. Smith Taylor, Madden, Margie Engle and Anne Kursinski were the show jumpers; Guenter Seidel, Steffen Peters, Debbie McDonald, and Sue Blinks were the dressage riders; and Darren Chiacchia, Nina Fout, Kim Severson, and Karen Stives were the eventers. They were all attired in competition clothes representing their disciplines. Their mounts were loaned by the Los Angeles Mounted Sheriff's Posse and were outfitted with USET saddle pads and USET quarter sheets. Leading the squad on foot as flag bearers were USET Foundation President and CEO Jane Forbes Clark and U.S. Eventing Team Alternate at the 1968 Olympics, Mason Phelps.
The USET Foundation squad marched as #47 in the line-up of 90 participants that included marching bands, floats, and equestrian groups. The 119th Rose Parade was broadcast live by nine networks in the United States, including ABC, NBC, HGTV, Tribune, Univision, Telemundo, Travel Channel, Discovery HD Theater, and Sky Link TV, and locally on California stations KWHY-22 and KTLA-5. The event was viewed by millions of people in more than 75 countries.
"We were the only Olympic discipline out there so it was fun to be a part of that," said Smith Taylor. "We followed the China Beijing float and so that really got you in the spirit. It was definitely an added benefit for the U.S. Equestrian Team." The USET Foundation squad paraded behind the Olympics-themed "One World, One Dream" float sponsored by Avery Dennison and the Roundtable of Southern California Chinese-American Organizations.
"It was really fun," said eventer Darren Chiacchia, Team Bronze Medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics. "It was amazing. I really didn't know what to expect, but the crowds were unbelievable. The people were really into it and cheering, "Go Team USA!" - so that was really a great experience. I don't think any of us quite knew what we were getting into for the length of time and the preparation and the line up and freezing cold and all that, but we're all pretty seasoned in discomfort shall we say, all in the name of getting the result. It was great exposure for the team. I was thrilled to be able to represent the United States Equestrian Team. It was great to represent the eventing team. It was a wonderful concept and fantastic for Mason, his mom, and Jane to get all that done and give us the opportunity to have that level of exposure."
The preparations and details involved in the USET Foundation's participation in the Rose Parade were extensive. Mason Phelps, President of Phelps Media Group, Inc. International, had arranged the inclusion of the group and then with USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie Jenkins, Executive Assistant Nancy Little, Jane Forbes Clark, Peggy Phelps, Kim Tudor, Bobby Drennan, Julie Tannehill, and Polly Sweeney, handled the myriad of logistics involved for the pre-parade and post-parade details.
On New Year's Eve, Foundation President Clark hosted a dinner party for the Olympians and their significant others at Bistro 45 in Pasadena. The 'superstars' of the parade were transported to the party from their hotel by two stretch limos, including a Hummer complete with disco lights and sound system. They had a few hours time back at the hotel before being transported at 11:00 pm to 'The Pit' - the staging area for the equestrians - where they rested in luxury 'Rock Star Busses' equipped with kitchen, ½-bath, TV, and bunk beds until they mounted up at about 6:00 am.
Timed to arrive at 'The Pit' in synch with the rider busses, the horses were transported from L.A. Equestrian Center - eight miles away where they had been stabled. Earlier that day, supervised by Polly Sweeney, the horses had been groomed and trimmed by three grooms and French-braided by Karen Binz. Polly, a hunter/jumper rider who resides in Pasadena and has ridden in the parade for 10 years, stepped in when Bob Drennan fell ill, and took charge of stable management, selecting and fitting all the tack (including loaning one of her own saddles). Patricia Kinnamon's Dominion Saddlery and The Traditional School of Riding at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center supplied all the gear, except the dressage saddles, which the dressage riders supplied themselves. Betsy Calder of Calder Farms was the shipper, providing two large vans.
The riders appreciated that their roles were streamlined to riding and waving for five miles. "For me it was not a huge undertaking," noted Beezie Madden, a member of the Gold Medal Team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. "The buses were great to have. We got to sleep for some of the night. I think the big undertaking was for Mason and Kim and Jane and all those who worked to help them." Madden described the feeling of riding down the avenue with millions cheering, saying, "It was great. It was amazing how enthusiastic they were. We were halfway through the parade and they were all still cheering and waving and it was neat to see. The parade itself was the whole highlight. It was fun. I'd never seen it before, so it was fun to see."
The reaction from the crowds to the Olympians was enthusiastic. Steffen Peters, a dressage Team Bronze Medalist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, described his parade experience saying, "Loved it. Right from the start people were yelling, 'USA! USA!" and 'Rock and roll in China!' It was neat. It was fun to represent the USET Foundation in the Rose Parade and the support from the crowd was amazing. I've never ridden in front of a million people. From the beginning through the very last stretch, it was just fabulous." Steffens noted the most outstanding moment for him saying, "And then just seeing mile after mile, all those thousands and thousands of people, cheering you on - that had to be the highlight."
Debbie McDonald, dressage Team Bronze Medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, is a native Southern Californian and admitted that riding in the Rose Parade was a childhood dream. "You can't even describe the emotion you feel," she said. "I felt like at times like I was going to cry and then I had chills at other times. It's just an amazing situation how this whole thing comes about and how many people it takes to make happen and how much organization. And the people here - just the people in general - it's overwhelming. There were moments I felt like I was going to tear up and bawl my eyes out because it was kind of this patriotic kind of feeling, and everybody's going, "USA!" It just gave me goose bumps and really emotional." McDonald noted that several times people called out her name from the crowds. Summing up, she said, "I loved every moment of it. I hope it was good for the USET Foundation because I think it was a great move."
Show jumper Margie Engle, a member of the 2000 Sydney Olympics team, also appreciated the Rose Parade's exposure for equestrian sport, noting, "I hope it helps public awareness about our sport. It certainly got to a wide range of people. They had a lot of people there and I'm hoping it was good for the sport."
"I cannot thank the riders and everyone who helped organize this event enough for accomplishing this extraordinary feat," said Bonnie B. Jenkins, USET Foundation executive director. "The exposure and goodwill this has afforded the U.S. Equestrian Team is priceless and now part of our history and heritage. The Rose Parade march is a wonderful kick-off to the excitement leading up to our equestrians participating in the 2008 Olympic Games."
Photo: Ilse Scharz/HorseSport USA and Ken Braddick/HorseSport USA
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Markel Amateur Winter Dressage in Florida Championships |
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May 23, 2008 |
 DressageDaily's Mary Phelps, also a Markel Equine Insurance Specialist has developed lots of opportunities for the amateur competitor to gain recognition and earn prizes during the 2008 Dressage in Florida Winter Season. Starting this weekend, with be the first leg of theThe Markel/Wellington Classic Dressage 2008 Winter Amateur Championships and the Markel/Wellington Classic Dressage Trainers' Award Sponsored By Thin Line. Winners of this award must compete in all three of the Wellington Classic Dressage shows and must be registered this weekend at our RV.
"We are excited about lending our support and sponsorship to this popular series of dressage shows and working with Noreen and John Flanagan as the continue to develop their quality services." said Mary Phelps. We will be arriving early on Thursday for a busy show which will kick off Dressage in Florida 2008!"
Read more and download sign up form....
Additionally, The Paddock Saddlery has teamed up with Markel Insurance to bring back the Adult Amateur Winter Dressage Championships for amateur riders competing on the winter dressage circuit in Wellington, Florida. This championship recognizes the success of amateur riders who often find themselves competing against some of the country’s top professionals. Adult amateurs from Training Level to Grand Prix are eligible to compete for the 2008 Markel Adult Amateur Winter Dressage Championships.
Five years ago, the adult amateur winter championships were the brainchild of Shirley Johnson, a former Grand Prix rider and dressage judge, who owned and operated the popular A’Dashi dressage boutique. Johnson noticed many amateurs having beautiful rides that earned high scores that were not be recognized the top placings because the professional riders were dominating the classes. She developed the Amateur Winter Championships to recognize the success of these amateurs.
The recent merger of A’Dashi and The Paddock Saddlery sparked the revival of this adult amateur championship to again recognize the most talented adult amateurs that compete in South Florida. Markel Insurance has agreed to help sponsor the award again, continuing in the company’s tradition of supporting the sport of dressage.
To qualify, riders must enroll at The Paddock Saddlery mobile store or on their website, www.paddocksaddlery.com, by February 27 of this year. Participating riders are required to submit five scores from three different judges at the USEF National Levels or three scores from three different judges at the FEI levels by April 18, 2008. Scores received from recognized shows at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, and the Horse Park at Equestrian Estates between January 25 and April 13 can be submitted for the championship.
Champions and Reserve Champions at each level will receive generous gift certificates to The Paddock Saddlery. Amateur riders that receive the highest average score in their level will also be awarded with Championship Coolers donated by Farnam’s Platform® Feed. The Weiss Family Chiropractic Centers are once again donating the ribbons that will be distributed among the top placing riders, along with a beautiful bronze perpetual trophy for the rider that receives the overall high score. The overall USEF and FEI high score winners will also be recognized with awards from MDC Intelligent Stirrups and World Equestrian Brands, distributors of Amerigo, Vespucci, Mattes, Classic Equine and Teque-Style. There will be awards for riders in the top eight placings at each level, plus an award for the coach with the most students in the final standings.
The awards for this championship will be presented in the Spring of 2008, after the last qualifying show, the Gold Coast Dressage Association Finale II held April 13th. More information and official rules for the Markel Amateur Winter Dressage Championships can be found at www.paddocksaddlery.com.
Take our On Line Insurance Tour for a fast and personalized quote - We appreciate your support!
Follow us On the Scene in 2008
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Proposed Dressage Rule Change on the Minds of Many Gathered for 2008 U.S. Equestrian Federation Annual Meeting |
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May 23, 2008 |
 The U.S. Equestrian Federation meets this week in Louisville, Kentucky for its annual meeting, scheduled for Jan. 9-13 and the Dressage Committee has its work cut out. A proposed rule change that would require riders to qualify to compete at Third Level and above beginning in 2010 has generated much discussion within the dressage community.
The proposed rule change, officially called 275-07, states that riders competing in dressage competitions at Third Level and above must be eligible according to qualification criteria established by the USEF Dressage Committee. What exactly those criteria would be has not yet been determined, but the general idea being tossed around is to create a sort of point system, similar to what is seen in Europe. Essentially, under a point system, riders earn points based on their scores in recognized competitions. For example, under the latest suggestions that will be discussed during the Dressage Committee’s Thursday meeting, scores of 58 - 59.99 percent would earn one point, scores of 60 - 62.99 percent, two points and so on.
Both the USEF Dressage Committee and the organization’s Board of Directors will vote on the proposed change at this week’s annual meeting. What they are voting on is simply a proposal to establish a process for creating a qualification system. In a memo to the dressage community, the USEF Dressage Committee noted that it would be at least 2010 before any qualification system was actually put into place.
If proposed rule 275-07 is passed this week during the annual meeting, the next step will be the actual creation of a qualification system. The process of creating such a system would occur over the next two years, which should give the dressage community time to adjust and give their input. Some, however, are concerned that the Dressage Committee has already made decisions on how this qualification system will operate. And, indeed, at this week’s annual convention, suggestions for competition standards will be discussed.
Those suggestions include the idea of the point system mentioned above. How many points would be needed to move up a level is undecided but suggested numbers range from 10 to 20. There would be no qualification required, however, to ride tests up through Second Level or to compete in the FEI Pony classes or in the USEF Four-Year-Old or the Five and Six-Year-Old FEI classes.
USEF Dressage Proposed Rule Change Dominates Internet Discussions
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Leadline judge Klaus Balkenhol just couldn't decide. Hence, he gave all the competitors in the DressageDaily/PhelpsPhotos Lead Line Class a blue ribbon. It was the second year in a row that Balkenhol, coach of the U.S. Dressage Team, served as judge in the competition, which this year attracted more than a dozen youngsters.
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