USEF Communications Department

Lexington, Ky. – A strong contingent of 10 U.S. athlete-and-horse combinations are set to compete in the CDI5* taking place February 4-8 during week five of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla. The following athlete-and-horse combinations will be representing the U.S. in the CDI5* (listed in alphabetical order):

Michael Barisone (Long Valley, N.J.) and Virginia Alling’s HF Victor
HF Victor is a 2002 Trakehner gelding.

Heather Blitz (Medfield, Mass.) and her own and Robert McKean’s Paragon
Paragon is a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding.

Susan Dutta (Wellington, Fla.) and Tim Dutta Inc’s Currency DC
Currency DC is a 2000 Oldenburg gelding.

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor
Doktor is a 2003 Oldenburg gelding.

Catherine Haddad-Staller (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Mane Stream Hotmail
Mane Stream Hotmail is a 2002 Oldenburg gelding.

Devon Kane (Wellington, Fla.) and Diamante Farms’ Destiny
Destiny is a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding.

Arlene “Tuny” Page (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Alina
Alina is a 1998 Danish Warmblood mare.

Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92
Legolas 92 is a 2002 Westphalian gelding.

Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, Calif.) and her own, Jennifer Mason, and David Wightman’s Breanna
Breanna is a 2000 Hanoverian mare.

Lisa Wilcox (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Betty Wells’ Denzello
Denzello is a 2003 Hanoverian gelding.

Week five of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CDI5* is set to host an unprecedented number of entries and will also feature CDI3* and CDI1* competition. For complete show information, click here.

Katharina Stumpf riding Nymphenburg’s Love receives the EquiSafe International Dressage Achievement Award at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival

Wellington, FL (February 2, 2015)– “Both of my horses are fantastic— they really want to work. They really want to give, and I’m very happy to take,” said Austria’s Katharina Stumpf with a laugh. What her horses gave were several outstanding rides, which earned Stumpf the EquiSafe International Dressage Achievement Award at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. Riding her two Oldenburg geldings, Stumpf was ecstatic about the accomplishments both she and her horses had during the festival this past weekend. “We are super, super, super happy,” gushed Stumpf. Nymphenburg’s Love, a beautiful Oldenburg gelding, gave Stumpf two stellar rides, resulting in first place for both the FEI Prix St. George and the FEI Intermediate I.

EquiSafe, a premiere fencing company in Europe, developed the International Dressage Achievement Award as part of their sponsorship of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. The award recognizes riders who have come from countries outside of the United States who exhibit skillful rides and accomplish high scores. EquiSafe has been celebrating success as one of the most trusted fencing brands in Europe, including recently receiving the MTP Gold Medal at the Poznań International Fair in Poland for their three rail electric fencing system. “Everybody knows EquiSafe,” said Stumpf. “We have it in Europe. It’s the best fence you can have.”

The Austria native will be in the United States for the rest of the competitive season and is enjoying the opportunity. “We are here for the whole season, and we really love it,” said Stumpf. With many rides ahead of her before the end of the season, Stumpf is sure to have continued success with both the exceptional Nymphenburg’s Love and the promising younger gelding, For My Love.

While riders from Europe are familiar with EquiSafe fencing, many American dressage riders have yet to be introduced to the dependable and attractive brand. As the “Official Fence of the Global Dressage Festival,” EquiSafe hopes to make American riders aware of their fences’ benefits. “The United States is the absolute best horse market in the world, and we are very proud to introduce our product here,” said EquiSafe’s United States representative Tommy Hallander. “We have many dressage riders who use our fencing, so the Global Dressage Festival is a perfect spot to show our fence.”

EquiSafe fencing focuses on the safety of the horses while simultaneously providing a sleek, attractive fencing unit. Their fences are made from high-density polyethylene, a durable, maintenance free material that is installed with a 10 year guarantee EquiSafe fences feature a revolutionary LED light system option that is powered by a conductor system patented by EquiSafe. This conductor system is hidden in the cross bar of the fence, eliminating bulk and creating a sleek, streamlined fence.

For additional information call EquiSafe at 561-225-4998 or email at info@EquiSafeUS.com.

London, OH (January 30, 2015) – A large dose of phenomenal horses, a roster of accomplished horse people, plenty of great horse products for sale, and a dash of both equestrian competition and entertainment are the proven ingredients for Equine Affaire—North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gathering. The 51st Equine Affaire will launch April 9-12, 2015 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus and provide horse enthusiasts the opportunity to gather with horse-loving family and friends and indulge their passion for horses. Since 1994 Equine Affaire in Columbus has been the nation’s foremost venue for horse-related education, shopping, networking, entertainment, hanging out with fellow horse people, and blissful immersion in all things equine.

The 2015 Equine Affaire will offer a wealth of opportunities for equestrians including the largest horse-related trade show in North America, an educational program that will have something for riders of all levels and tastes, Equine Affaire’s exciting Versatile Horse & Rider Competition, and the expo’s signature evening performance, the Fantasia. With a schedule of more than 200 educational sessions in seven venues, acres of trade show exhibits to browse, breed and youth pavilions, Horse & Farm Exhibits, the Marketplace consignment store, and special events scheduled throughout the day and evening, horse lovers old and young will have plenty of activities to choose from and tough decisions to make about how to spend their time each day of the show.

Education forms the cornerstone of every Equine Affaire, and a top-notch list of clinicians has been assembled to present clinics on a broad range of equestrian sports and activities at this year’s event. Among those who are scheduled to present sessions on general horse training and riding topics are Chris Cox, John Lyons, Guy McLean, Dan James, and Julie Goodnight. Clinicians who will be addressing western disciplines in their clinics will include Scott McFarland on reining, Doug Leasor on barrel racing and pole bending, Barbra Schulte on cutting, Tom Chown on western pleasure/horsemanship/showmanship, and Kevin Oliver on ranch horse versatility. Those Affaire goers who prefer the English disciplines will not want to miss clinics presented by George Williams and Jane Savoie on dressage, Nona Garson and Diane Carney on hunters and jumpers, Bob Giles on driving, Drew Emnett on hunter under saddle, and Gayle Lampe on English Pleasure and saddleseat. Gary Lane will also present sessions on the training of easy gaited horses. The hundreds of clinics, seminars, and demonstrations included in Equine Affaire’s extensive program will be conducted in four arenas, the Cosequin® and Youth Pavilion demo rings, and the seminar stage and offer a wealth of information on horse management as well as a diverse variety of training methods and philosophies.

“Foundation First” Clinic Series with Guy McLean and Dan James

Regardless of their disciplines and individual training styles, nearly all horse trainers agree that effective foundation training is essential to the training of all horses. In recognition of the importance of the initial training experience, Equine Affaire will feature a Foundation First clinic series on Thursday through Sunday. During these clinics, Guy McLean and Dan James will each train one unbroke horse to be ridden while Equine Affaire attendees observe the training process.
The Foundation First clinics will not be a race or competition. The focus will be on creating the proper foundation in training a horse to be ridden and on progressing at the rate that is appropriate for the individual horse. In addition to being terrific clinics to attend, the Foundation First clinics also offer unique opportunities for owners of halter-broke horses to have their horses trained by these exceptional trainers. Check out Equine Affaire’s Ride With the Best Program at equineaffaire.com for details on how to apply to have your horse trained.

The Rod’s Equestrian Experience Pavilion

The Rod’s Equestrian Experience Pavilion in the Expo Center’s covered paddock will feature sessions on a broad range of equestrian sports as well as spotlights of breeds that make up the “equestrian experience.” Disciplines as diverse as sidesaddle, vaulting, polo, roping, eventing, gymkhana, and western dressage will be showcased through sessions presented by associations and clinicians representing these sports. These clinics will be introductory in nature and designed to complement the more in-depth training clinics conducted in the other arenas at Equine Affaire. Horse breeds will be presented in groups by “types” including gaited horses, easy gaited horses, sport horses, stock horses, drafts, ponies, etc.

Catch all of the Action of the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition!

Equine Affaire’s hugely popular Versatile Horse & Rider Competition will be a highlight of the 2015 event. The competition is a timed and judged race through an obstacle course that is designed to test communication between horse and rider and the horsemanship skills and athletic abilities of each horse and rider team. Thirty pre-selected participants will compete for the title of “Versatile Horse & Rider Competition Champion” and $5500 in cash and other prizes.

“The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition is a true test of horsemanship for those who are willing to put their riding skills on the line—and a whole lot of fun for horse people in the audience,” explained Coagi Long, Equine Affaire’s VP and Program Director. “Riders in the audience mentally work through the course with each team and can’t help but wonder how their own horses would respond to the obstacles and how they would approach them. They also empathize with the contestants as their horses succeed at some obstacles and fall short at others. And, apart from the obvious entertainment aspect of the VHRC, there is a strong educational element because you learn a lot by observing the different approaches of contestants riding a variety of breeds of horses through the same obstacles.”
The qualifying rounds for the VHRC will be conducted on Thursday morning in Cooper Arena and be judged by Drew Emnett. The top 10 teams will advance to the finals which will take place Friday afternoon in the coliseum and be judged by John Lyons. If you’re ready to put your skills to the test, you’ll find details on the competition and how to apply at equineaffaire.com. Just click on the Ohio event and follow the “participate link” to the competition. The application deadline is February 16th, and applications will be accepted only until 30 contestants are selected and confirmed. If you’re watching rather than riding, be sure to get there early to get a seat for this popular event.

The 2015 Fantasia – Sponsored by Absorbine®

Dazzling horses, phenomenal riders, memorable performances, and lots of great music are on the menu for the Fantasia, Equine Affaire’s flagship musical celebration of the horse. The 2015 Fantasia will take place at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights in the coliseum and is made possible through the generously sponsorship of Absorbine®. The Fantasia is the perfect way to end a perfect day at Equine Affaire. Gather with family and friends to sit back and enjoy the beauty and talent of horses of many breeds as well as the excitement of equestrian sports ranging from freestyle reining and cutting to dressage, driving, drill teams, vaulting, Roman Riding, and more!

“The Fantasia is always a special opportunity to witness some truly magical performances,” said Eugenia Snyder, Equine Affaire’s President and Founder. “After a day-long schedule of clinics and presentations on topics of a more serious nature, the Fantasia gives horse people a change to connect with horses on a more emotional level. When you watch the performers at Equine Affaire you simply have to marvel at the range of skills that horses possess, their extraordinary trainability, and their willingness to perform and please in so many ways. The Fantasia is much more than equestrian entertainment—it’s a chance to connect with the heart and soul of the horse.”

A separate ticket is required, and tickets range in price from $12 to $25 plus seat selection fees. Advance tickets are available through March 31st and can be ordered online at equineaffaire.com or by calling Equine Affaire at (740) 845-0085. Any tickets not sold in advance will be available for purchase at the Information Booth in the Bricker Building beginning at 9:00am on Thursday at Equine Affaire.

Convenient, One-Stop Shopping for All Things Horse Related

Without doubt, Equine Affaire offers the best one-stop, horse-related shopping anywhere. Take a break from viewing tiny pictures of items online and don your most comfortable walking shoes to explore literally acres of equine-related retailers and manufacturers. Equine Affaire’s vast trade show will fill four exhibit halls and the areas in between and feature more than 450 vendors offering everything from tack and apparel to horse-care items and trailers. Whether you’re planning to build a barn, replace a fence, or install a riding arena or you’re shopping for new tack, apparel, artwork, gifts, horse insurance, or books and DVDs, you’ll find information, manufacturers, retailers, associations, equine service providers, and plenty of other horse-related sources at Equine Affaire.

Buy and Sell Quality Consigned Items at The Marketplace at Equine Affaire

Make plans now to both buy what you and your horse need and sell what you don’t at The Marketplace at Equine Affaire. The Marketplace will be a consignment store within the trade show where you’ll have a great opportunity to market your unwanted equine and equestrian items for up to four days to the tens of thousands of avid horsemen who attend Equine Affaire . . . as well as browse through a vast array of consigned items and discover bargains on the things you need to get ready for the next riding season. Where else can you find more potential buyers for your unwanted tack and riding apparel while also enjoying the ultimate horse-related educational program and equestrian shopping experience than Equine Affaire!

“The Marketplace is now in its third year at Equine Affaire,” reported Eugenia Snyder. “It was a huge success last year. Nearly 200 saddles of a variety of types and prices were sold over the four days, and sales were brisk for everything from tack items and training equipment to riding attire. We’re anticipating a big increase in both consignors and consigned items this year—as horse people in the region now recognize The Marketplace as a great place to both buy and sell before the upcoming riding season.”

The Marketplace at Equine Affaire will be in the Bricker Annex, and merchandise will be presented for sale in a spacious retail setting. Let the staff at The Marketplace display and sell your consigned items to customers who will be able to see your merchandise first hand and make their purchases on site. Equine Affaire’s staff will take care of selling your consignments while you enjoy Equine Affaire’s fantastic program of clinics, seminars, and demos—and then pay you in cash for sales made at the event! With cash in hand, you’ll have additional spending power to shop for used items at The Marketplace and new merchandise at Equine Affaire’s phenomenal trade show. Best of all, the consignment fees at The Marketplace will be lower than those at other consignment venues in the region!

For information on The Marketplace at Equine Affaire including consignment guidelines and forms and a list of items that will be accepted for consignment, visit equineaffaire.com, click on the Ohio event, and follow the “Participate” link to the Marketplace page. Or contact Kristen Gump at (740) 845-0085 ext. 104 or kgump@equineaffaire.com.

Horses Are Always the Focus of the “Affaire”

Whether your passion is for a large horse or a small one, a pleasure horse or a competitive mount, a gray, a pinto, or a bay, you’ll find it within Equine Affaire’s Breed Pavilion and Horse & Farm Exhibits. The Breed Pavilion in the Voinovich Center and the Horse & Farms Exhibits in the Gilligan Complex will showcase dozens of breeds of horses from North and South America, Europe, and beyond. Knowledgeable horse breeders and association reps will be on hand to answer your questions about characteristics, uses, bloodlines, and horse selection and share with you information about their associations and club activities. Come to Equine Affaire to experience a full taste of the horse world and research horses for sale, stallions at stud, training and breeding facilities, and various equine-related services from throughout the Midwest.

Horse Crazy Kids Convene at the Youth Pavilion

Equine Affaire’s Youth Pavilion will host a variety of exhibits and activities geared to the interests of younger equestrians and horse fanciers. In addition to educational and youth association exhibits, the Youth Pavilion will feature a full schedule of presentations by many of Equine Affaire’s clinicians, demonstrations of horse breeds, daily stick horse rodeos, an equine trivia quest, a Learning Center, and other activities designed to engage kids with horses and horse knowledge. You can also get up close and personal with several equine stars at the Celebrity Horse Showcase in the Youth Pavilion and take your own “selfie with a star.”

You Just Might Win!

Equine Affaire’s 2015 raffle features a number of great prizes and is both free and easy to enter. Visit equineaffaire.com to learn more about the prizes and enter online. And be sure to visit the Raffle Center at the event to see the prizes on display and complete your entry. Winners will be announced on Sunday afternoon, and you need not be present to win.

Ticket Prices and Volunteer Opportunities

You can enjoy all that Equine Affaire has to offer—the clinics and seminars, the shopping, the specialty pavilions, and the Versatile Horse & Rider Competition for the price of a single-day or multi-day general admission ticket. Adult admission is only $15/day (and includes a free event program) and youth (age 7-10) admission is only $8/day. A four-day pass for adults is also available for just $50—a savings of $10 off of the daily rate. If you want to earn free admission and an event souvenir, consider helping out at the event as a member of Equine Affaire’s wonderful volunteer crew. Information on the volunteer program is available at equineaffaire.com; click on the Ohio event and follow the “Participate” link to the volunteer page. Or contact our volunteer coordinator, Cindy Southward, at (740) 845-0085 ext. 102 or csouthward@equineaffaire.com.

Round up your horse-loving family, friends, and barn mates and plan your April getaway. Equine Affaire makes your trip even more affordable with special room blocks and discount rates at dozens of area host hotels. You’re encouraged to make your hotel reservations soon as room blocks and special rates at our host hotels will expire in early March. Camping with hookups is available right at the Ohio Expo Center on a first-come, first-served basis. Consult equineaffaire.com for hotel details, updated information on room availability, and information on camping.

Generous Sponsors Make Equine Affaire Possible

Equine Affaire’s extensive program of educational opportunities and entertainment and the event’s modest admission fees are made possible through financial support provided by our many generous sponsors. We all extend our sincere gratitude to Absorbine®, Farnam, Rod’s Western Palace, Cosequin®, Wahl Clipper Corporation, and the dozens of other companies that have endorsed the educational mission of Equine Affaire through their sponsorships.

Everything You Need to Know to Go

www.equineaffaire.com contains everything you need to know to make your visit easy and successful: ticket details, directions, information on hotels with discounted rates, a complete roster of presenters, daily schedules, maps, Ride With The Best and Versatile Horse & Rider Competition materials, Marketplace consignment forms, facility information, and tips for making the most of your Equine Affaire experience. You can order advance tickets online or through the mail (through March 31st). If you’re not Web-inclined, Equine Affaire’s staff will gladly take your call and provide assistance at (740) 845-0085 Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm Eastern.

We look forward to seeing you and your family and horse-loving friends at the 2015 Equine Affaire in Columbus, OH, this April.

Karin Brennan, Marketing Manager
(740) 845-0085 ext.112
kbrennan@equineaffaire.com
www.equineaffaire.com

Photo Caption: Reigning champions, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, strutted to victory once again at the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today. (FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)

Amsterdam (NED), 31 January 2015

Dujardin and Valegro produce another amazing performance in Amsterdam
by Louise Parkes

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro swept to victory with the greatest of ease at the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today. The 29-year-old rider only returned from New Zealand a few days ago after presenting Masterclasses in Hamilton and Christchurch, and admitted to feeling “seriously jet-lagged”. But such is the exceptional relationship she has with the 13-year-old Valegro that she only fell 0.4 points short of the world-record Freestyle score the pair set at Olympia, London in December when coming out on top by a considerable margin again this afternoon.

Today’s result sheet reflected that of yesterday’s Grand Prix, with exactly the same horse-and-rider combinations filling the top five places. The Netherlands’ Danielle Heijkoop (Siro NOP) filled runner-up spot ahead of Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Unee BB) in third, and Dutch riders Diederik van Silfhout (Arlando) and Hans Peter Minderhoud (Glock’s Flirt) claimed fourth and fifth places. However, despite the quality of the field, Dujardin’s absolute supremacy was unmistakable as her nearest rival finished more than 11 marks behind her winning score of 93.900.

FEI You Tube Here!

Great day of sport

The Amsterdam crowd were treated to a great day of sport, with Germany’s Isabell Werth and El Santo NRW lighting up the arena with a powerful and expressive test that just oozed with fun. When you have a trophy cabinet filled to the brim with Olympic and World Championship gold medals you are entitled to have as much fun as you like, and with her 14-year-old gelding grooving to the sound of David Bowie, the 45-year-old veteran swept into the lead on a mark of 76.775 just before the judging break.

However Denmark’s Agnete Kirk Thinggaard, who has rocketed to prominence this season, went out in front as soon as the action resumed when posting 78.050. This pair are exciting to watch, showing great balance and rhythm in passage in particular, and demonstrating tremendous harmony between their music and their floorplan.

Two rides later however, Dujardin and Valegro set the new target so high that there was never any doubt about the final outcome. The Olympic, European and World champion was smiling even before she began, and Valegro just settled to his job, drumming out that now familiar perfect piaffe and passage and sitting steady and low in canter pirouette as the scores came tumbling in thick and fast. Britain’s Stephen Clarke and Dutch judge Eduard de Wolff van Westerrode each awarded the pair artistic marks of 98.00 while Isabelle Judet from France gave them 96.00, and when their final total of 93.900 went up on the scoreboard it was very definitely a done deal.

Confident performance

Heijkoop wasn’t intimidated however, following with a smooth, confident performance that highlighted her black gelding’s exceptional piaffe for a mark of 82.375. And Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who continues to lead the Western European League standings after today’s leg, once again presented her courageous floorplan that embraces difficult transitions including canter to piaffe/pirouette to walk, for a strong score of 80.900.

Penultimate performer, Diederik van Silfhout with Arlando NH, posted 79.950 for fourth place while fellow-Dutchman, Hans Peter Minderhoud, brought the competition to a close with a calm and elegant test from Glock’s Flirt for fifth spot.

Winning result

Dujardin was quick to thank her trainer, friend and mentor, Carl Hester, after today’s winning result. “Carl kept Blueberry (Valegro) ticking over while I was away in New Zealand, I’m always so grateful to him” she said. She wasn’t too pleased with her ride in yesterday’s Grand Prix however, even though she won that by more than a seven-point margin. “I was really jet-lagged and I was terrible, I was so angry with myself for the way I rode!” she insisted this afternoon.

She talked about what Valegro has been doing since re-setting the Grand Prix and Freestyle world records at Olympia last month. “He had a couple of weeks off over Christmas and then I started riding him for a couple of days before heading off (to New Zealand). But I only had three days to ride after I got back this week, so he’s a pretty amazing horse!” And looking ahead to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final where they will be defending their title she said, “he won’t be doing anything until then. He isn’t the kind of horse that needs competition all the time, so our next outing will be Las Vegas, and after that we’ll be concentrating on getting ready for the European Championships”.

Reflected

Runner-up, Danielle Heijkoop, reflected on her performance, saying “we had a bigger score at Mechelen (BEL) in December, but I’m very happy with how we went today”. Talking about her trainer, Anky van Grunsven who is a nine-time winner of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage title, 27-year-old Heijkoop said “we think alike, our attitude is that things can always be better, but for me the most important thing right now is that you can see our score is getting a little higher everywhere from last year, it’s all improving”.

Now riders are already thinking ahead to how their horses will respond to the bright lights and electric atmosphere of the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas in just over two months’ time. “I’m so excited about it!” said Dujardin today, “I know the crowd starts clapping before the finish, and the place is buzzing all the time, but hopefully Blueberry will be OK with all that and will put on a great show”.

Runner-up, Danielle Heijkoop, says that her gelding, Siro, can be “a little bit crazy” during the prize-giving ceremony and after he comes out of the arena, but that he is usually a thorough professional during his test. “Actually I think he will love it in Las Vegas, when he’s doing a test he really enjoys the crowd, and I hope it won’t be a problem for him”.

For further information on the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 seres at Amsterdam, The Netherlands go to website www.jumpingamsterdam.nl or contact Press Officer Charlotte Gunnink, Email media@jumpingamsterdam.nl, Tel +31 20544 5720 or (mobile) +31 6383 25326.

The next leg will take place Neumuenster, Germany on Sunday 15 February 2015. For details of the German fixture visit http://reitturnier-neumuenster.de or contact Press Officer Andreas Kerstan, Email andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, Tel +49 4307 872 973.

Result: 1, Valegro (Charlotte Dujardin) GBR 93.900; 2, Siro NOP (Danielle Heijkoop) NED 82.375; 3, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 80.900; 4, Arlando NH NOP (Diederik van Silfhout) NED 79.950; 5, Glock’s Flirt (Hans Peter Minderhoud) NED 79.250; 6, Jojo Az (Agnete Kirk Thinggaard) DEN 78.050; 7, Favourit (Sonke Rothenberger) GER 77.325; 8, El Santo NRW (Isabell Werth) GER 76.775; 9, Uzzo (Patrick van der Meer) NED 75.725; 10, Axis TSF (Terhi Stegars) 75.675; 11, Ulysses la Haya (Laurens van Lieren) NED 73.950; 12, Biggles 1015 (Kristian von Krusentierna) SWE 73.775; 13, Eres DI (Jeroen Devroe) BEL 73.275; 14, Sunny Boy (Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo) ESP 73.175; 15, Thriller (Katja Gevers) NED 72.050.

Detailed result here

Coatesville, PA—Iron Spring Farm is pleased to announce the 2015 ISF Breeders’ Reward Program. The program recognizes the farm’s loyal breeders who are producing exceptional horses.

Success at this year’s KWPN (Royal Dutch Warmblood Studbook) or KFPS (Royal Friesian Studbook) keurings (inspections) will earn breeders a $200 reward gift card to be used for a discount on a breeding to the Iron Spring Farm stallion of their choice.

To receive an ISF Breeders’ Reward for 2015, ISF-sired horses must earn one of the following awards:

KFPS: Eligible Keuring Awards for 2015
1st or 2nd Premie; Star, Crown, Model or Sport predicates, as well overall Champion and Reserve of the Driving or Dressage IBOP.

KWPN: Eligible Keuring Awards for 2015
1st Premium, Top Five awards, Star, Keur, Elite, Sport, Prok or IBOP predicate.

The Fine Print
If the horse is no longer owned by the breeder, the $200 certificate will be split, with the current owner and the breeder each receiving a $100 discount. All certificates must be used within two years, are non-transferable and have no cash value. A maximum of two discount certificates per horse will be awarded per keuring year.

About Iron Spring Farm
For more than 35 years, Iron Spring Farm has been importing and breeding high quality sport horses. Iron Spring Farm stands nearly a dozen warmblood and Friesian stallions and offers programs to help breeders produce, raise and market exceptional athletes of their own. Visit www.ironspringfarm.com for complete information.

Media Contact:
Christine DeHerrera
Equestrian Sports Promotions
303-263-7531
equestriansports@earthlink.net

Shelly Francis Steps into the CDI Ring with
Draper Therapies Best Foot Forward Award

Photo: Shelly Francis (right) is presented with the Draper Therapies Best Foot Forward Award at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival

Wellington, FL (January 30, 2015)— After returning from Europe where she was alternate at the World Equestrian Games for the United States team, Shelly Francis opened her winter show season in Wellington, Florida with the honor of being presented the Draper Therapies Best Foot Forward Award.

The Draper Therapies Best Foot Forward Award is given to competitors who truly enjoy dressage and are willing to help others have a great experience in the sport. Draper Therapies is a company dedicated to providing effective health products of horse, dog, and human. After recently introducing the award to the Adequan Global Dressage Festival earlier this year, the company is excited to recognize competitors who radiate a positive attitude and are eager to spread their enthusiasm to those around them.

Though the Draper Therapies Best Foot Forward Award is new to the festival, Francis is not new to the top-level dressage ring. In 1996, Francis was one of the alternates for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) and in 1998 she was a member of the United States team for WEG in Rome. “It’s been a long time in-between, but I have brought horses up into the high performance ranks. It takes a little while to train them,” recalls Francis; “I always give each ride a serious whirl.”

Francis competed in the open division of the FEI Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle this last Thursday and Friday where she placed third in the Grand Prix with 72.2 percent and second in the Freestyle with 74.5 percent. Riding in on sixteen-hand, twelve-year-old Oldenburg Doktor, owned by Patricia Stempel of Roundabout Stables in Loxahatchee, Florida, Francis noted that he felt a bit low and leaned on her hands. “I think he will have more spunk and be looking up tonight,” she commented, embodying the positive attitude that is important to Draper Therapies.

After having some time off after his trip to Europe, Francis is confident that this successful weekend was beneficial to Doktor. She hopes to increase Doktor’s fitness this year as well as continue achieving high scores. In addition to Doktor, Francis will be working with nine-year-old Rubinio, whom she intends to compete in the small tour.

Draper Therapies innovative healthcare products are available in the form of therapeutic horse blankets, wraps, saddle pads, and dog beds in addition to clothing and accessories for the animals’ human companions. All Draper Therapies products are made with Celliant, a technologically advanced fiber made of a blend of minerals extruded into a polyester fiber. Celliant eases pain and poor health symptoms by improving the body’s natural systems and increasing blood flow to the affected areas. All products are safe for long term use, machine washer and dryer safe, and made in the USA.

Draper Therapies presented Francis with a Draper saddle pad, polo wraps, socks, and a scented eye pillow to congratulate her for earning the Draper Therapies Best Foot Forward Award.

Learn more about Draper Therapies products and its support of our equestrian communities at www.drapertherapies.com or call 781-828-0029.

Photo: Karen Thompson-Harry and Whisper Champion (right) with trainer Tom Dvorak (left) receive the Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Award from Dr. Cesar Parra of Piaffe Performance

Wellington, FL (January 30, 2015)– Karen Thompson-Harry was awarded the Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Award during Week 3 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, making her trip from her home in Canada to Wellington, Florida, a worthwhile one. Piaffe Performance is known for its recognition of adult amateur riders who exhibit exceptional sportsmanship and horsemanship, and this passionate owner of her first Prix St. Georges horse fit the bill. Thompson-Harry traveled to the Adequan Global Dressage Festival to compete in the Adult Amateur division with her horse, Whisper Champion. She has trained for the past twelve years with Tom Dvorak, international dressage rider and coach and owner of Friday Hill Dressage in Erin, Ontario, Canada.

Whisper Champion (Weltruhm x Melisande) is a 17.1-hand Hanoverian German-born gelding. “I bought Whisper as an eight-year-old from California,” Thompson-Harry says. “He had just come from Germany a little bit earlier. He is now sixteen this year. He was training Third Level when I bought him, and Tom and I have brought him along. This is my first Prix St. Georges horse, so it’s a thrill!”

Thompson-Harry says that the best part of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival is “the opportunity to focus my days on my riding and my horse without so many other competing interests like there can be at home.” The very busy Thompson-Harry practices family law and equine law, and was also recently appointed to be the chair of Dressage Canada’s Officials Committee. Her three-year term began on January first. She is a longtime member on the Officials Committee.

As the first pair to show in their class on Thursday morning, Thompson-Harry and Whisper Champion won first place in FEI Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur with a 66.053 percent, grabbing the win over Jeanne Van Nuys-Hitt and Sirtaka, who earned a 65.789 percent. The next day, the pair placed third in the FEI Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur division. Saturday found Thompson-Harry again on top in the FEI Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur division with 66.579 percent.

Piaffe Performance is a returning sponsor to the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival series, and more adult amateur dressage riders will be crowned with the Piaffe Performance award throughout the twelve-week-long series being held in Wellington, Florida. When asked why he sponsors the award, Dr. Cesar Parra of Piaffe Performance replied, “Well, number one is I really love this sport and being with the horses, and I think the only way we can keep on doing it is making it grow. And it has to grow by the base, and this is about the amateurs. They are really the ones that can support all the crazy guys like me that want to do it professionally, so I love watching that get better.”

Piaffe Performance is operated by Olympic dressage rider and founder Cesar Parra, DDS, MScD, in Jupiter, Florida, and in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. Dr. Parra and his team provide full-service training based on the Classical German Training Methods. Dr. Parra has worked with such masters of dressage as Herbert Rehbein, Siegfried “Bimbo” Peilicke, Hans Rueben, Herbert Kuckluck, and Hubertus Schmidt. Learn more about training and sales prospects at www.piaffe-performance.com.