from Phelps Media Group

Photo: Mary-Cameron Rollins and Royal Prinz accept the GumBits Happy Horse Harmony Award at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival

Wellington, FL (January 19, 2015) — A quiet mouth, soft expression, and suppleness throughout the back are cornerstone characteristics of a horse that is in harmony with his rider. Teresa Simmons’ Oldenburg Stallion Royal Prinz by Royal Diamond showed off these traits while being ridden by Mary-Cameron Rollins during week one of the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Rollins’s harmonious performance not only earned her the blue ribbon in Friday’s Prix St. George, but also earned her the first-ever GumBits Happy Horse Harmony Award.

As a sponsor of the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, GumBits (made by Gambit Atlanta, Inc.) will be presenting the GumBits Happy Horse Harmony Award to deserving riders at every CDI of the twelve-week international show. Selected horse and rider pairs must not only win their classes but— most importantly— must demonstrate a quiet, cheerful disposition and harmony between horse and rider.

Winning pairs, like Rollins and Royal Prinz, will receive a free package of innovative GumBits, as well as a GumBits/ Adequan Global Dressage Festival wool-blend cooler. GumBits are small, round treats that promote chewing and encourage salivation, helping to eliminate teeth grinding and encouraging horses to relax their jaws during intense competition. The treats are made with all natural, FDA-approved ingredients and are safe and palatable for horses.

Rollins, who trains with Oded Shimoni at OS Dressage and works at ShowChic as a contributing author to the monthly ShowChic ChicTimes, looks forward to implementing her GumBits prize into her routine with Royal Prinz. It is clear that Rollins emphasizes the happiness of her horse — and GumBits can only improve her impressive devotion to her horses’ health and well-being. “We do a lot of work at home to keep Royal Prinz fit and happy,” Rollins says. “He gets to play in the field once a week, and we work in different arenas. He really loves his job, too. He does a lot of the work for me in that way, but we do provide lots of carrots, apples, and treats — and he’s happy in his work.”

Owner Simmons comments that, “You can see the heart in the horse. That is obvious in his face.”

Surprisingly, this was Rollins and Royal Prinz’s first show together and only Rollins’ sixth Intermediate I. Without doubt, the pair will continue to shine throughout the winter show season — especially with GumBits as a new tool to enhance their harmonious performances.

Many international riders— including U.S. Olympian Steffen Peters, Canadian David Marcus, and U.S. Pan American Team Gold Medalist Susie Dutta— champion the use of GumBits. With the new GumBits Happy Horse Harmony Award, CDI winners can join these professionals in using GumBits to promote happy horses and even better performances. To learn more about GumBits and to find a list of retailers in your area, visit www.gumbits.com.

Click here for info!

Ottawa, Ont. – January 18, 2015 – Dressage Canada is delighted to announce two more star attractions during the Florida Fortnight (Jan. 25 – Feb. 3, 2015, in Wellington, Florida). Space will be limited and it will be handled on a first come first served basis.

AN AFTERNOON WITH CHRISTILOT BOYLEN (Monday, Jan. 26, 2015)

Christilot is the most experienced Olympic dressage rider Canada has ever had, having competed in seven Olympic Games. Christilot has lived in Germany for the last 20+ years and will be returning to Canada to live. At this point Christilot has four absolutely top young horses, and it is our hope that she will represent us internationally in the near future.

Come and listen to Christilot explain her training system and why it has made her so successful. This demonstration will be held at Stillpoint Farm. The address and time will be given out when tickets are distributed.

A MORNING WITH ASHLEY HOLZER (Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015)

Ashley Holzer needs no introduction – she is a world phenomenon in dressage and Canada’s most successful rider. Ashley is a multiple Olympian for Canada and one of today’s top trainers, molding the minds and skills of many of our top young riders. Ashley will discuss her training methods and what has made her so successful. Time and address will be given out when tickets are distributed.

The Fortnight is all about High Performance and what riders need to know about themselves and their horses for maximum results. It is open to everyone.

Register today @ http://bit.ly/1ygQ1Yx

Click here to view the full schedule for the Florida Fortnight.

Both of these talks will have limited space.

Don’t forget registration discounts available until Jan. 19, 2015! Don’t miss out on these great discounts.
Automatic 50% discount on all group session registration fees for PAG Declared and U25 riders
Listed riders register for free by contacting the Dressage Department at the Equine Canada office
Dressage Canada members receive automatic $15 off all individual group sessions or $50 off the group package which includes all 10 group sessions
Additional discounts apply to the general public – up to $10 off all group sessions.

Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
Media Contacts: Desi Dillingham – (561) 346-6232
Christine Peters – cpeters@equinecanada.ca

Photo: Mette Larsen (right), founder and president of Neue Schule’s North American distributor Metlar Premium Performance Saddlery, presents Ali Brock (left) with the Neue Schule Best Hands Award at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival

Wellington, FL (January 19, 2015)- Ali Brock and Rosevelt claimed first place in the Grand Prix at the opening CDI-W of the winter season at the 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival January 8-11. The horse-and-rider pair was also noticed by representatives from Metlar Premium Performance Saddlery, the North American distributors of Neue Schule bits. Metlar proudly named Brock as the first recipient of the Neue Schule Best Hands Award of the season.

Brock, who uses both snaffle and bridoon Neue Schule bits on her mount Rosevelt, earned the highest score of 71 percent in the Grand Prix against an impressive field of competitors. She then scored a 71.706 percent to snare third place in the Grand Prix Special.

“I work very hard to do the right thing by my horses, and it’s paying off,” Brock said. “The results are starting to show that.” Brock and Rosevelt were also triumphant at Dressage at Devon in September when they won the Grand Prix with a 71.440 percent and the Grand Prix Special with a 72.961 percent.

Rosevelt is a 13-year-old Hanoverian stallion (Rotspon x Lore, Lauries Crusador XX) owned by Claudine and Fritz Kundrun, and Brock is a USDF Gold and Silver medalist based out of Wellington, Florida, and Keswick, Virginia. She took over the ride on Rosevelt at the end of his 7-year-old year. Brock began using Neue Schule bits when she worked for Olympic Games and World Equestrian Games medalist, Sue Blinks.

“Sue is a real horsewoman, bar none,” Brock said. “If she’s on to something, it’s usually because she’s on to something good. She told me about Neue Schule bits and I bought one bit for one horse. I ended up pulling the bit off the bridle and riding every horse in it because they all went so well and they were just happier with it in their mouths. And then I realized I needed more bits!”

Mette Larsen, founder and president of Neue Schule’s North American distributor Metlar Premium Performance Saddlery, was pleased with the selection for this week’s Best Hands Award. “What is really important to us when we choose riders is how good they are to their horses, and having good hands is a big part of that,” Larsen said. “Ali Brock represents both to us and we are really pleased to give her this award this week.”

The Best Hands award is given to a rider who demonstrates effective and soft hands when communicating with their horse. The 2015 Adequan Global Dressage Festival will award several riders for having Best Hands throughout its twelve weeks of world-class dressage competition in Wellington, Florida. The festival is scheduled to run from January 7, 2015 to March 29, 2015, and will include eight CDIs (including five CDI-Ws, one 4*, and one 5*), the only non-championship CDIO Nations Cup in the Western Hemisphere, and weekly U.S. National events.

Honoring excellent equestrians with the Neue Schule Best Hands Award is important to Metlar, as success in the arena stems from talented riders and horses working with quality tack. “We make the bits and leave the rest to the rider’s hands,” Larsen says. “The better designed the bit is, the easier it is for the rider and the horse.” With the bits’ innovative designs that promote comfort, softness, and relaxation in the horse’s mouth, it’s easy to see why professional dressage riders love Neue Schule. Top dressage riders including Steffen and Shannon Peters, Laura Graves, David Marcus, and Mikala Gundersen endorse Neue Schule bits.

To learn more about Neue Schule bits and distributer Metlar Premium Performance Saddlery, visit www.NeueSchuleBitsUS.com or call 631-252-5574.

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Leipzig (GER), 18 January 2015

Photo Caption: Hans-Dieter Dreher and Embassy ll won the ninth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League series on home ground at Leipzig, Germany today. (FEI/Karl-Heinz Freiler)

Spectacular victory for Germany’s Dreher and Embassy ll at Longines leg in Leipzig

by Louise Parkes

Hans-Dieter Dreher and the fabulous stallion, Embassy ll, produced an exhibition of spectacular jumping to win the ninth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ 2014/2015 Western European League series on home ground at Leipzig, Germany today.

The handsome 14-year-old horse was on top form when clinching victory from last-to-go spot in the five-way jump-off against the clock. And the spectators went wild at the end of a superb but super-tough afternoon of sport during which Frank Rothenberger’s first-round track tested the mettle of the very best.

It was an unexpected final line-up, with Norway’s Geir Gulliksen and Edesa S Banjan finishing second ahead of Italy’s Luca Moneta and Connery in third while Germany’s Felix Hassmann and Horse Gym’s Balzaci was fourth. Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow and Casello filled fifth place while Frenchman, Kevin Staut, was sixth with the quickest four-fault result in the first round.

Big and bold

Rothenberger’s track was typically uncomplicated but big and bold. Key to success, as the winning rider pointed out, was the courage of the horse and the conviction of the rider. “It wasn’t enough to have a good jumper today, you needed a fighter as well” Dreher said.

Enormous oxers tested nerve from the outset, and the scope required to clear the triple combination at fence six, where the opening triple bar was followed by a massive oxer and then a vertical, was exceptional. And riders then had to gather up their onward-bound mounts to cope with the short three-stride distance to the following 1.60m vertical at seven which hit the floor regularly.

The blue vertical at fence three was influential, with Ireland’s Thomas Ryan eliminated with Quite Zero here, while Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann (Cantinero) and Switzerland’s Jane Richard-Philips (Quister de Guidenboom) also endured a single refusal at this one.

Fascinating contest

It was a fascinating contest from the outset, with Moneta and Connery lulling onlookers into a false sense of security with a brilliant round when first to go, but those clears would prove very elusive indeed. With the time-allowed set at 70 seconds the Italian was initially awarded a time-fault. However when it was re-set at 72 seconds, the pair were pathfinders against the clock, and they never flinched, setting the target with another great run in 38.40 seconds. However they clearly lost a little time on the rollback to the double at fence nine when the first element didn’t come up on the perfect stride. It came up much better for Gulliksen who went into the lead in 37.72 seconds, and when Hassmann and Lindelow both left two fences on the floor only Dreher stood between the Norwegian and a career-defining success. But the German wasn’t going to let this winning opportunity slip from his grasp.

“I didn’t have much luck in last year’s qualifier in Leipzig. I was riding well but didn’t win, but today I had some good luck to help me along the way!” he said afterwards. It didn’t look like luck, it looked like pure class as Embassy ll answered his every call including a big ask at the final vertical to clear the line more than a second-and-a-half quicker than Gulliksen for the win.

“I love this horse – he has such a big heart! said Dreher afterwards.

Delighted

Gulliksen was delighted with his result too. “My podium finish today goes to show that if you keep trying you will eventually give yourself a chance to succeed!” he said. “I knew my horse wasn’t going to be as fast as Hans’, but as long as I didn’t knock one down I would have a chance” he added. Talking about Edesa S Banjan’s career he explained, “he was ridden from the ages of 7 to 11 in 1.30m classes. Marlon Zanotelli then started riding him at Grand Prix level. I actually bought him without riding him first and I actually didn’t like him in the beginning! I was then told by one of the guys working on the sales team that he needs to be taken to competitions. I didn’t believe him at first. I took him out to compete and he was warming up fine, nothing special. As soon as I was 2 meters away from the in-gate, he then woke up and completely transformed. I jumped clear! He really is a competition horse after all!” he said.

Moneta meanwhile continues to add to his growing fan-base. His unusual riding style, with hands held high and reins very short, sets him apart, as does his extraordinary bond with his talented and free-running string. “I am so proud of my horse” he said of Connery who proved so difficult that his owner gave him “for free” to the Italian horseman. “He was 10 or 11 years old, and at the beginning he was very stressed and emotional, but we built our relationship step-by-step and now he is getting great. It’s still hard for him to compete in such crowded arenas with so much atmosphere” Moneta explained.

Lying 18th on the Western European League after today’s competition, the Italian still has work to do if he is to make it to the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Final in Las Vegas, USA in April but, on 36 points, Dreher has qualification in his sights as does Gulliksen who has now accumulated 38.

For further information on the ninth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League at Leipzig, Germany visit website www.engarde.de or contact Press Officer Andreas Kerstan, Email andreas.Kerstan@comtainment.de, Tel +49 177 75 32 624.

The next leg takes place in Zurich, Switzerland on Sunday 25 January 2015. For details of the Swiss fixture check out website www.mercedes-csi.ch or contact Press Officer Roman Gasser, Email roman.gasser@mercedes-csi.ch, Tel +41 79 635 5005.

Result: 1, Embassy ll (Hans-Dieter Dreher) GER 0/0 36.07; 2, Edesa S Banjan (Geir Gulliksen) NOR 0/0 37.72; 3, Connery (Luca Moneta) ITA 0/0 38.40; 4, Horse Gym’s Balzaci (Felix Hassmann) GER 0/8 40.75; 5, Casello (Douglas Lindelow) SWE 0/8 41.62; 6, Reveur de Hurtebise (Kevin Staut) FRA 4/64.46; 7, Lacrimoso (Patrice Delaveau) FRA 4/66.72; 8, Classic Man V (Toni Hassmann) GER 4/66.90; 9, Spirit T (Jessica Mendoza) GBR 4/67.27; 10, Capetown (Wout-Jan van der Schans) NED 4/68.22.

Full result here

Full Standing Click Here:

FEI YouTube:

Lexington, KY (January 14, 2015) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to announce that 44 USDF members successfully completed the USDF L Education Program in 2014. This program is designed to prepare candidates to enter the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) “r” Judges Training Program, to qualify individuals to judge schooling shows, and to give competitors, trainers, and instructors greater insight into the evaluative process of judging dressage. The program also serves to provide continuing education for licensed judges. The L Program is an excellent opportunity for all USDF members to learn how to improve their scores and improve their ability to view other rides from a judge’s perspective, whether or not they plan on becoming licensed judges themselves. USDF L Program faculty are all approved USEF Senior (“S”) dressage judges, who also have experience in teaching judge-training programs.

USDF congratulates the following new graduates of the USDF L Education Program:

Region 1:
Sherry Meier, VA
*Koby Robson, NC

Region 2:
*David Anderson, WI
Joanne Coy, MI
*Joan Leuck-Waak, WI
*Kerrie Matesich, OH
*Danielle Menteer, MI
Martina Mertens, IL
*Elizabeth Poulin, MI
Bernadette Radke, MI
*Alison Schmidbauer, OH
Janice Smith, MI
*Shari Wolke, MI

Region 3:
*Tracey Thompson, FL

Region 4:
Debra De Vries, IA

Region 5:
Cynthia Begay, NM
*Michell Combs, AZ
*Daniela Leidy, CO
Sarah Lindsten, AZ
Laurel Peters, CO

Region 6:
Jessica Levin, WA

Region 7:
*Rebecca Armstrong, CA
Kristie Bigham, CA
Faith Fessenden, NV
*Deborah Hirons, CA
Lynae Ormsby, CA

Region 8:
*Melanie Cerny, MA
*Regina Cristo, NY
*Linda Currie, MA
*Leslie Lopardo, MA
*Valerie McCloskey, NY
Suzanne Mente, MA
*Linda Parmenter, MA
Heather Reynolds-Dostal, MA
Michele Southwick, VT
Ashley Theodore, MA
*Krystal Wilt, NY
Gale Wolfe, NY

Region 9:
Arlene Gaitan, TX
*Eva Oldenbroek, TX
*Julia Handt, TX

*Denotes those that graduated with distinction from the L Program. Those who pass with distinction are eligible to apply to enter the USEF recorded (‘r’) judge program.

For more information about the USDF L Program, to access a list of USDF L graduates, for a calendar of USDF “L” Education Programs, or for details on hosting an L Program, visit www.usdf.org or contact USDF at lprogram@usdf.org.