(Global Dressage Festival) – Wellington, FL – February 22, 2013 – Equestrian Sport Productions is pleased to announce that they will host the annual Special Olympics Palm Beach County Equestrian Games on Saturday, February 23, in coordination with Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC). Competition will be held in the Equine Tack & Nutritionals Ring 6 of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) during week seven of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). The competition will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Sixty riders ranging in age from eight to 40 years old will compete for the chance to advance to the Special Olympic Area Equestrian Games, which will be held March 23, 2013, at the Van Kampen Arena on the Adequan Global Dressage Festival grounds at The Stadium. Riders hailing from Broward, Palm Beach, Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Martin counties will all by vying for positions to qualify for the State Games in Tampa this April.

The Special Olympics Palm Beach County Equestrian Games tomorrow will showcase riders as they overcome their disabilities and concentrate on their riding capabilities. Following the completion of the class, riders will participate in a parade at midday in the International Arena of the PBIEC. Exhibitors and spectators are encouraged to come support the riders throughout the competition at Ring 6 as well as during the parade in the International Arena.

In addition to local riders, five special needs riders from the Chateaublond Equestrian Center in Haiti will also be competing on Saturday. These riders, including 2009 FEI “Against All Odds” Award recipient Darlene Milord, travel to the United States annually to compete in the class as a part of the Friends of the Orphans Organization.

The program at Chateaublond enables disadvantaged special needs orphans the extraordinary opportunity to travel to the United States to compete in the Special Olympics classes. For these riders, the experience is especially memorable since many of their trips have been years in the making while paperwork is completed for their passports.

A fundraising luncheon will be hosted to benefit the riders of Chateublond and the Friends of the Orphans organization that supports it. The luncheon will be held Sunday, February 24, at noon in The Wellington Club at the PBIEC.

Thirty volunteers from VTRC as well as a special team of horses from the center will help make Saturday’s competition possible. VTRC has been training riders for the Special Olympics since 1982 and always represents the largest contingent of riders in the county competition.

Volunteers are needed to assist with leading horses and aiding riders from Vinceremos and Haiti during the Special Olympic competition, from 8:30 am to 1 pm. To register, please call Kim at 561-792-9900 or email her at Kim@vinceremos.org.

VTRC would like to express their gratitude to all of the volunteers, horses, and to the Wellington Community as whole, whose generosity makes their program for Special Olympics competitors possible.

In addition, VTRC and Chateaublond would like to thank The Dutta Corporation, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, and Florida Community Bank, the Bellissimos, Smiths, and Tisbos for their support of this event.

For ticketing information for Sunday’s luncheon, please call Event Chair Romy Tschudi-Roy at 954-643-8678 or email romyiec@hotmail.com.

For more information on the VTRC Special Olympics program, stop by Ring 6 on Saturday or visit www.vinceremos.org or contact Vinceremos at 561-792-9900.

Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.

(Phelps Media Group) – This year marks the Palm Beach Dressage Derby’s 30th year of bringing high-performance dressage to the area with the Feb. 28-March 3 Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W at the International Horse Sport (IHS) Champions Park at Equestrian Estates.

“We are very excited to be celebrating the Derby’s 30-Year Anniversary this year at the IHS Champions Park,” said Noreen O’Sullivan, Show Manager and IHS Managing Partner. “This year’s show is sure to be a highlight of the Florida season.”

The inaugural Derby, held in 1983 at the Hanover Horse Farm in Loxahatchee, FL, was the first to bring top international judges to Florida, when the Florida show circuit didn’t exist and the sport of dressage hadn’t really caught on in North America.

The Derby was the brainchild of Gisela and Howald Pferdekaemper, who arrived in Florida from Germany in the 1970s with a band of Hanoverian horses. They created a European-type show and Hermés donated the trophies, ribbons and the $5,000 prize for the winner of the Grand Prix, adding glittering parties and shopping to the experience.

“The Derby was one of the first dressage shows to offer real prize money and an exciting atmosphere,” Mary Anne McPhail, executive director of the Derby, said.

“It was such a big deal,” remembers Janne Rumbough, an adult amateur rider originally from Denmark who has lived in Wellington since the 1970s. “It has always had a wonderful atmosphere.”

The initial format of the Derby featured the top four riders swapping horses in the tradition of the Hamburg Derby in Germany.

“This was very exciting and brought many spectators to dressage,” Judge Axel Steiner remembers. “If riding up centerline at the Derby is accomplishment enough, imagine changing horses and having to do it again with someone else’s mount!”

This year marks the final year as an FEI judge for the legendary Steiner, who has judged the Palm Beach Dressage Derby for many years. “It was my first exposure to judging with European judges,” Steiner said. “This year is very important for me.”

“I have many, many memories,” he said. “However, my fondest memories go back to the early days when we officials got to sit in the Pferdekaemper’s great room after a day of judging, and had a chance to truly ‘talk shop’ just among us. Many of us actually stayed at the house, so these discussions lasted late into the night. Howald was there to make sure we never ran out of libation and Gisela fed us unusual delicacies like fried rattle snake, but also with more traditional German food. Some of the judges were Jaap Pot, Heinz Schuette, Col Thackeray, Jack Fritz, Edgar Hotz, Natalie Lamping and many more. We had a great time, and all learned a lot from each other.”

Steiner will retire after a stellar career watching competitors ride up the centerline, halt and salute. He received his first national judge’s license from the American Horse Show Association (AHSA), which is now the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), in 1968 and was promoted by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) to Official status (FEI-O, now FEI 5*) in 1988. He has judged Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Cup Finals and many international and national competitions throughout the world.

Another famous judge, Anne Gribbons, agreed that the Derby is a special event. “I have been involved with the Derby either as a competitor or a judge since its very first ‘run,’ and I have enjoyed every minute of it,” she said.

The judging is a high point among those involved from the earliest years. “My favorite thing about the Derby is the high quality of the judges and the prestige it has if you win at this show,” Rumbough added.

Evelyn O’Sullivan, the Derby’s past show manager, agreed. “The Derby is the oldest competition to bring international judges and riders here. It continues to be a great pleasure for everyone in the industry. It’s a very peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.”

“One of the founding ideas of the Derby was to provide a top international experience along the lines of what is found in Europe,” she said. “We are very grateful to all of the Olympic-caliber riders who have supported the show for all of these years. It’s these riders and their special horses that makes dressage so wonderful.”

“It was the premier show in Florida and even today is probably is still one of the most influential,” Steiner added. “What Devon is in the fall, the Derby is in the spring.”

For more information about the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, log onto ihspb.com.

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(Yellow Horse Marketing) – Burbank, CA – The West Coast’s 2013 international dressage competition season gets underway this week at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair & CDI 3*/Y/J, February 22 – 24 in Burbank, CA. Final preparations are being made at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center to welcome an impressive roster of U.S. and Canadian competitors whose aspirations are already turning to the 2014 World Equestrian Games (WEG) in France. Their horses will show off their talent on hi-tech and horse-friendly Olympic Mix footing, vying for scores from an acclaimed judging panel including Olympic Games official Gary Rockwell (5* USA), joined by Jeanne McDonald (4* USA), Eddy de Wolff (4* NED), Brenda Minor (4* CAN), and Magnus Ringmark (3* SWE).

After traveling the globe to compete at last year’s Olympic Games in London and more recently at the Reem Acra FEI World Dressage Masters in Florida, Adrienne Lyle and her spectacular partner “Wizard” return to the West Coast to headline the CDI Grand Prix division. A buzz will certainly also be following fellow Olympian Guenter Seidel, whose new WEG hopeful “Coral Reef Wylea” will be making her international competition debut. Canada’s Karen Pavicic and her gray Oldenburg “Don Daiquiri” have earned Mid-Winter CDI wins in the past, but will have to contend with legendary Olympic veteran Hilda Gurney with her long-time partner and California champion “Wintersnow”, as well as David Blake with the impressive Danish Warmblood gelding “Ikaros”.

In the small tour, more than a dozen up-and-coming stars will face off for top honors, including 2012 U.S. Olympic Teammates Steffen Peters and Jan Ebeling, who will present their latest prospects “Vaya Con Dios” and “Descartes”, respectively. Young Rider National Champion and NAYRC gold medalist Brandi Roenick will make the bold move to compete against open CDI company with two mounts, “Weltino’s Magic” and the “Pretty Lady”. The Mid-Winter Dressage Fair is the first designated qualifying competition for the all-new Markel/Cornerstone Young Talent Search (YTS), a program which offers over $10,000 in prize money and awards for four, five, and six-year-old horses. Exhibitors will also have the opportunity to reap Cornerstone’s “Rider Rewards”, including free hotel stays, free stalls, complimentary food and drinks, and gift certificates.

The Mid-Winter Dressage Fair & CDI 3*/Y/J is an official qualifier for a multitude of national awards and championship programs, including the USEF Festival of Champions; the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC); the 2013 Markel/USEF Young Horse and Developing Horse National Dressage Championships presented by Horseshow.com; the Markel/Cornerstone Young Talent Search Finals; USDF year-end awards and regional championships; and California Dressage Society (CDS) Horse of the Year awards and annual championship show.

Photo Courtesy of Yellow Horse Marketing by Sue Stickle – Adrienne Lyle will be one of a multitude of Olympians competing at this weekend’s Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI 3*/Y/J

Lexington, KY (February 21, 2013) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) has announced the entry and invitation quali …

(USEF) – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) wishes to remind all dressage competitors of the rule change to DR120. This change goes into effect on April 1, 2013 and necessitates the usage of protective headgear by anyone mounted on the grounds at all USEF dressage competitions.

DR120 has been amended to require protective headgear as follows:

From the time horses are officially admitted to the competition grounds by competition management, anyone mounted on a horse at any time on the competition grounds including non-competing riders, riders on non-competing horses, and those competing in all classes and tests, including Para-Equestrian tests must wear protective headgear as defined by this rule and otherwise in compliance with GR801. Any rider violating this rule at any time must immediately be prohibited from further riding until such headgear is properly in place. Protective headgear is defined as a riding helmet which meets or exceeds ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)/SEI(Safety Equipment Institute) standards for equestrian use and carries the SEI tag. The harness must be secured and properly fitted.

If there are questions regarding this rule or the use of protective headgear at USEF dressage competitions please contact Hallye Griffin by email at hgriffin@usef.org or by phone (859) 225-6918.

(Phelps Media Group) – West Palm Beach, FL-February 18, 2013-Dressage action is just heating up in the Palm Beach County area with more exciting shows yet to come at the IHS Champions Park at Equestrian Estates.

The area is the hot spot for dressage in North America during the winter show season and the March shows are sure to deliver high-performance riders on top horses.

“Equestrian Estates is where you want to be with three big shows: The Dressage Derby, Champions Cup and Dressage at Equestrian Estates,” said Noreen O’Sullivan, managing partner and show manager for International Horse Sport, organizers of the events. “It’s an up-and-coming venue and making its mark in the community. It’s an anchor for the area and there is a lot of interest there.”

March comes in like a lion with The Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDIW, celebrating its 30th anniversary February 28-March 3, 2013, at the IHS Champions Park at Equestrian Estates (Derby Showgrounds).

“We are very excited to be celebrating the Derby’s 30-Year Anniversary this year at the IHS Champions Park,” O’Sullivan said. “This year’s show is sure to be a highlight of the Florida season.”

This year also marks the final year as an FEI judge for the legendary Axel Steiner who has judged the Palm Beach Dressage Derby for many years. “It was my first exposure to judging with European judges,” Steiner said. “This year is very important for me.”

Later in the month is The International Horse Sport Champions Cup CDIW, sponsored by Blue Hors, scheduled for March 21-24 at The Horse Park at Equestrian Estates, now known as the IHS Champions Park.

“It’s interesting that the biggest sponsor for the event is an international horse breeder from Denmark, Blue Hors,” said John Flanagan, managing partner and sponsorship coordinator for the Champions Cup. “I think it demonstrates that this show is important to the international dressage community.”

Dressage action continues with the March 28-31 Dressage at Equestrian Estates CDI3*. The show is a USEF High Performance Qualifying Competition, an official qualifying competition for FEI North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships and Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Junior, Young Rider and Brentina Cup Championships, an official qualifying competition for Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program and USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship, sponsored by the Dutta Corp and PSI, and a BLM Qualifying Competition.

All three CDIs will feature classes for every competitor from training level to Grand Prix, lots for spectators to see, shopping and food in a laid-back setting with green spaces and wildlife to enjoy.

For more information, log onto ihspb.com or www.pbderby.com.

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(FEI) – The FEI and the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) have embarked on a three-year plan in response to growing demand from countries for help in improving cross-border movement of top-level sport horses, as participation in equestrian competitions reaches a record high.

Several proposals have been made under the plan, including a full-time secondment of a senior veterinarian to OIE headquarters in Paris, who will work directly with top level officers.

The FEI veterinarian will collaborate with the OIE on defining a sub-population of lower disease risk, “high health, high performance” sport horses, which will be integrated into countries’ existing biosecurity systems that have been created to protect animals and human populations against the risk of disease spread.

In addition, the seconded expert will contribute to support veterinary training programmes as part of the OIE’s PVS Pathway, a global programme for the sustainable development of national veterinary services around the world.

The FEI and OIE will also develop communication tools focusing on the valuable economic and social contribution of equestrian sport for governments as they modernise import and export procedures to accommodate the safe movement of sport horses while protecting their welfare.

The plan marks a milestone in the FEI’s 10-year working relationship with the OIE, and is being put into action at the start of what is expected to be the busiest event calendar in the history of equestrian sport. Last year alone, there were over 3,000 FEI events around the world, representing a 27% growth since 2008.

“Over the last ten years, the OIE has worked in close partnership with the FEI to identify the key elements needed to bring about a more practical, but safe introduction of national Veterinary Services requirements for the safe international movement of sport horses and for the application of biosecurity measures on all sites where competitions take place,” said OIE Director General, Dr Bernard Vallat.

“The FEI will now commit its resources in the spirit of a public-private partnership with the OIE, in which far-reaching resources will be contributed to correct the problems that exist in the movement of healthy sport horses.”

In 2002, the FEI signed an Official Agreement with the OIE, joining the likes of the World Health Organisation, World Trade Organisation, World Veterinary Association and the International Federation for Animal Health, which have similar OIE agreements.

The FEI and the OIE have since co-hosted joint summits on the international movement of sport horses, which have been attended by over 70 international government representatives and veterinary and horse sport experts from 25 countries.

“We are now entering another exciting phase in our long-term relationship with the OIE,” explained FEI President HRH Princess Haya, who last September was appointed to serve as the OIE’s first Goodwill Ambassador to help raise worldwide awareness of its missions and activities.

“The FEI is looking forward to building on the achievements of its ten-year partnership with the OIE, and to providing dedicated expertise in the joint pursuit of sustaining and promoting the international growth of equestrian sport, and everything it stands for.

“Together, we will help to provide much better government awareness about the competition horse, and establish a commonly-recognised biosecurity approach that will allow international equestrian sport to flourish far into the future.”

Editors Notes

With the mandate to improve animal health and welfare worldwide, the OIE is recognised as the reference standard-setting organisation for the international movement of animals, including horses, by the World Trade Organisation: http://www.oie.int/