(British Dressage) – The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has announced the riders who have been selected for the 2013-2015 Word Class Development Programme.

The aim of the Programme is to be a sustainable system that can deliver more medals on the international stage now and in the future, and it is structured in such a way to encourage progression from World Class Start through to World Class Potential and then onto the Performance Programme.

“After such a fantastic 2012 which saw our equestrian athletes perform magnificently in London at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is great to start 2013 with the announcement of the Development Programme which identifies our most up and coming athletes,” commented Equestrian World Class Performance Director, Will Connell.

Established in 2002, the programme underpins the World Class Performance Programme, and is divided into two parts; World Class Start and World Class Potential. Selection for the squads take place every two years, and during this time performance is continually assessed with formal reviews for riders every six months.

The Development Programme, which is funded by UK Sport, works with talented riders to maximise their potential and deliver success on the international stage. All riders on the programme have access to the same World Class benefits including; mentoring, coaching, human and equine sports science & medicine (which includes fitness and nutrition programmes, equine management advice and access to world class farriery)

Those selected for the Potential Squads are now sure to have their sights set firmly on a place in the World Class Performance Programme in time for Rio 2016.

Dorset based rider Hannah Biggs, who was thrilled to have been re-selected for the Potential Squad with her long term Grand Prix partner Weltzin, commented “The Development Programme really is a catalyst for riders to get onto the world scene in a professional way. As part of the squad I receive access to some of the best help in the world and I couldn’t have got to where I am without it.”

British Dressage offer huge congratulations and best of luck for the coming two years to all of our riders who have worked so hard in order to be selected for the Development Squads. They are as follows:

Dressage Para-equestrian dressage

Hannah Biggs, Dorset Natasha Adkinson, South Yorkshire
Nikki Crisp, Buckinghamshire Katherine Cooksley, Berkshire
Maria Eilberg, Worcestershire Ashleigh Jones, West Midlands
Alex Hardwick, Herefordshire Ruth MacCarthy, West Midlands
Bobby Hayler, Essex Annastasia Neale, Staffordshire
Gabrielle Lucas, Essex Erin Orford, Buckinghamshire
Olivia Oakeley, Hampshire Natalie Povey, North Wales
Annie Perry, County Durham Alex Sutton, Wiltshire
Zoe Sleigh, Worcestershire Nicky Thompson, Surrey
Amy Stovold, West Sussex Georgia Wilson, Conwy
Samantha Thurman-Baker, Oxfordshire Ryan Todd, West Yorkshire

Photo Courtesy of British Dressage – Hannah Biggs and Weltzin

It’s the start of a new year and Sweden is already putting its dressage team together. This week Sweden’s chef d’equipe Bo Jena released the list of riders on the A and B dressage squads for 2013. The A-squad is the same group of riders as last year and they consist of:

Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven

Patrik Kittel

Minna Telde

Charlotte Haid Bondergaard

Cecilie Dorselius

Sofie Lexner

Rose Mathisen

Maria von Essen

The B-squad has three new riders on it and they are Mattias Jansson, Malin Hamilton and Eva Ulf. The other riders on the B-squad are Michelle Hagman, Kristian von Krusenstierna, Jeanna Hogberg and Ulla Hakanson.

Lexington, KY (January 10, 2013) – The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) is pleased to welcome the members of the 2013 …

(Phelps Media Group) – The line-up for the World Dressage Masters (WDM) Palm Beach, presented by Wellington Classic Dressage, will feature a star-studded cast of riders and horses for the January 23-27 event at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. The riders confirmed their participation and the horses are arriving in Florida to compete head-to-head for their share of over €100,000 (EUR), or about $131,850 (USD), in prize money. The World Dressage Masters series, presented by the Axel Johnson Group featured over €450,000 (EUR) in prize money over their 2012 series, making it one of the richest dressage series in the world.

“I think we have a fantastic line-up and we will really see top competition for this year’s WDM Palm Beach,” said Noreen O’Sullivan, Show Manager and Managing Partner of Wellington Classic Dressage, organizers of the event. “For most of these riders, this will be the only appearance in Florida under the lights at Jim Brandon, so this is surely an event not to be missed.”

John van de Laar, Managing Director of WDM, said, “The WDM Palm Beach show has been on the WDM calendar from the very beginning. This is THE show where the U.S. takes on Europe. I will always remember the 2012 WDM Palm Beach where Steffen and Ravel beat Valegro-truly exciting!”

U.S. Olympian Steffen Peters and Legolas 92, owned by Akiko Yamazaki, are the U.S. top-ranked rider/horse team based in San Diego, CA. They will make the World Dressage Masters their only appearance in Florida. Fellow Olympians Adrienne Lyle and Wizard, trained by Debbie McDonald and based in Idaho, have already arrived in Florida and are training for the event. Olympic athlete Tina Konyot, based in Palm City, FL, will compete on Calecto V and Heather Blitz, who calls Wellington her winter home, will ride Paragon. James Koford and Rhett will round out the U.S. riders slated for the Masters.

“Riding at the WDM is a huge honor and is a uniquely exciting event,” Blitz said. “It’s a competition that draws our country’s best plus the top contenders from Europe and that makes for some incredible competition. Wellington has been put on the global dressage map after hosting the WDM and it’s such a boost for our community far and wide. Riding for last year’s enthusiastic sell out crowd was something I’ll never forget and can’t wait to do again. It’ll be the event of the year!”

World Dressage Masters will also showcase Sweden’s top two riders: 2012 London Olympians Tinne Vilhelmsson Silfven riding Don Aurilio, ranked No. 1 in Sweden and No. 10 in the world, and Patrik Kittel on Watermill Scandic, ranked No. 2 in Sweden and No. 11 in the world. “Like I said, I have always been a big fan of WDM,” Kittel said, who is on his way to the USA for WDM Palm Beach, his first time to compete in the U.S.

Many international riders come for the event and are charmed by the venue. “The WDM is truly a bridge for international riders who want to spend the season in Florida,” van de Laar said. “Many riders like Tinne come for a season, then make Palm Beach their winter home.”

The Netherland’s Edward Gal and Inter Floor Next One, the duo that just won the Grand Prix Freestyle with a 77.35% on Jan. 6 in Drachten, Netherlands, will be competing along with fellow countryman Hans Peter Minderhoud on Whitney van’t Genthof.

Denmark will be represented by Lars Petersen riding Mariett and Lisbeth Seierskilde riding Jonstrupgardens Raneur. “I am so looking forward to it!” Seierskilde said of her first trip to Florida to compete.

Canada’s David Marcus riding Chrevi’s Capital and Jacqueline Brooks competing on D Niro, Italy’s Silvia Rizzo on Donnerbube II and Australia’s Nicholas Fyffe on Sentimiento I will round out the world-class line-up. Sentimiento’s owner Tamara Gerber is eagerly anticipating watching her horse compete. “I am thrilled to have Nicholas riding Sentimiento in World Dressage Masters. He is truly a dream horse,” she said. “We are so pleased to be competing at World Dressage Masters at Jim Brandon.”

Fyffe agreed. “To have the opportunity to represent Australia at this great show is an honor. Sentimiento I and I are feeling very well prepared and I’d like to thank his owner, Tamara Gerber for her support.”

Additionally, the top two qualified riders from the CDI3* Grand Prix Qualifier the same weekend will be invited to compete in the WDM for a maximum start field of 18-20.

Limited tickets are still available for 2013 World Dressage Masters for Reserved and VIP seating. Contact Maria Feola at 561-282-5334 and 561-282-5301 or email at mfeola@internationalpoloclub.com or Debbie@internationalpoloclub. Or log onto http://wcd.ticketleap.com/2013 to buy your tickets today.

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach CDI5* Fast Facts

What: North America’s only World Dressage Masters event, part of the richest dressage series in the world. Up to 20 of the world’s top dressage stars will compete for €100,000 EUR (about $130,000 USD) in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach.

When:
January 23-27, 2013

Where:
Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center
Okeeheelee Park South
7500 Forest Hill Blvd,
West Palm Beach, FL 33413
www.pbcgov.com/parks/equestrian/jimbrandon/

Official Show Organizer:
Wellington Classic Dressage
www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com
Noreen O’Sullivan 561-227-1570 or John Flanagan 561-714-9058

Social media links:
Website: www.worlddressagemasters.com and www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com/world_dressage_masters.htm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worlddressagemasterspalmbeach
Twitter: twitter.com/WldDrsgMstrPB

Ticket sales and information:
www.internationalpoloclub.com
Maria Feola: 561-282-5334 and 561-282-5301
mfeola@internationalpoloclub.com or Debbie@internationalpoloclub.

http://wcd.ticketleap.com/2013/

Competition schedule:
*Gates open at 11:00 a.m. each day for WDM Palm Beach ticket holders only. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the gate. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive for Saturday evening’s Grand Prix Freestyle at 5:30 p.m.

* Friday, Jan. 26:
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – WDM Nürnberger Grand Prix

* Saturday, Jan. 27:
2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.- WDM Grand Prix Special
7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – WDM Grand Prix Freestyle

WDM Presenting Partner:
Axel Johnson Group

WDM Official partners:
Team EXQUIS, Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe

WDM Official supplier:
Jerich International

WDM Global Media Partner:
Eurosport

Media inquiries:
Phelps Media Group International
12012 South Shore Blvd., Suite 105
Wellington, FL 33414

Mason Phelps or Sue Weakley
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
skw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Media Credentials:
Phelps Media Group International
12012 South Shore Blvd., Suite 105
Wellington, FL 33414

Carrie Wirth
508-698-6810 (phone)
508-698-6811 (fax)
cw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Past WDM results, as well as complete WDM Rider Rankings can be found on the WDM website: www.WorldDressageMasters.com

For more information about Wellington Classic Dressage, log onto www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com or check out the Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/pages/Wellington-Classic-Dressage.

To learn more about World Dressage Masters, log onto www.worlddressagemasters.com.

Photo Courtesy of World Dressage Masters by Sue Stickle – Edward Gal

(U.S. PRE) – The following horse and rider pairs have complied with USDF regulations to qualify for a USDF All Breeds Awards, and will be recognized at next week’s USDF convention in New Orleans. They represent the top pairs in the country of the PRE breed. We congratulate all of the riders and owners of these wonderful horses and recognize your hard work to achieve such a distinction.

We also recognize some very strong trends in these results–
–88 registered horses (up 33% from 2011)
–32 winners (up 55% from 2011)
–All levels from Training through Grand Prix (except Intermediate II) represented in the Open category.

The most striking trend evidenced by these results is the increasing numbers of professionals riding PREs successfully at all levels, something that USPRE has promoted since our inception.

USPRE/USDF All Breeds Winners 2012:

Open

Training Level:
First Place: Cuervo III 71.071 Jennette Scanlon, Sabine Schut-Kery
Second Place: Magiar Mac 65.833 Katie Hoefs-Martin
Third Place: Daroco 62.679 Dee Laine
Fourth Place: Luchador BP 61.00 Leigh Hofman

First Level:
First Place: Magiar Mac 63.710 Katie Hoefs-Martin
Second Place: Letrado 15 62.162 Christine Martin

Second Level:
First Place: Decoroso 65.614 Cindy Ramirez-Smith

Third Level:
First Place: Faralay II 66.538 Angela Ridgway
Second Place: Bandalor MQ 62.237 Ariane Rezvani

Fourth Level:
First Place: Noble GF 64.090 Michael Etherly
Second Place: Fetichin 62.938 Nicole Harrington

Prix St. George:
First Place: Marques 69.540 Sabine Schut-Kery
Second Place: Embrujado XI 65.855 Rachel Chowanec
Third Place: Junior 65.483 Janne Rumbaugh
Fourth Place: Cuatrero 64.676 Micaela Mabragana
Fifth Place: Fetichin 61.184 Nicole Harrington

Intermediate I:
First Place: Gorrion Penatoro 66.974 Endel Ots
Second Place: Cuatrero 65.066 Micaela Mabragana
Third Place: Junior 64.737 Janne Rumbough
Fourth Place: Esmaltado IV 63.158 Lily Zilo

Grand Prix:
First Place: Cartujo VIII 63.351 Holger Bechtloff

Adult Amateur
Training Level:
First Place: Daroco 62.679 Dee Laine
First Level:
First Place: Letrado 15 62.162 Christine Martin

Prix St. George:
First Place: Junior 65.483 Janne Rumbough

Intermediate I:
First Place: Junior 64.737 Janne Rumbough
Second Place: Esmaltado IV 63.158 Lily Zilo

Junior/Young Rider
Prix St. George:
First Place: Embrujado XI 65.855 Rachel Chowanec

Musical Freestyle
First Level:
First Place: Letrado 15 63.667 Christine Martin

Fourth Level:
First Place: Fetichin 66.167 Nicole Harrington

Vintage Cup
Training Level:
First Place: Daroca 62.679 Dee Laine

Prix St. George:
First Place:: Junior 65.483 Janne Rumbough

Intermediate I:
First Place: Junior 64.737 Janne Rumbough

After winning Saturday’s CDI Grand Prix Special with Glock’s Undercover at the Drachten CDI3* in the Netherlands, Gal went on to win the Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday with Interfloor Next One.

Sunday’s Results:

International dressage Ponies FEI Freestyle to Music / Edition 2009
Pl. Horse Rider Points
1. EQUESTRICONS LORD CHAMPION Hannah CICHOS (GER) 914.50
2. EQUESTRICONS EPIASCER Lavinia ARL (BEL) 912.00
3. CHAMP OF CLASS Lisanne ZOUTENDIJK (NED) 897.50
4. DON MIGUEL 7 Louisa SIMON (GER) 845.00
5. FS COCO JAMBO Febe VAN ZWAMBAGT (NED) 840.00

International dressage Juniors FEI Freestyle to Music / Edition 2009
Pl. Horse Rider Points
1. SPORTLIFE Aimee WEISE (NED) 897.50
2. SOLIST 150 Lena Charlotte WALTERSCHEIDT (GER) 889.50
3. RICHFIELD Marjan HOOGE (NED) 870.00
4. KORENBLOEM DIOR Chiara PRIJS VITALE (ITA) 863.50
5. HEXAGON’S BALDACCI Jeanine NIEUWENHUIS (NED) 843.50

International dressage Young Riders FEI Freestyle to Music / Edition 2009
Pl. Horse Rider Points
1. WINSTON Stephanie KOOIJMAN (NED) 922.00
2. LEGEND Rosalie MOL (NED) 866.00
3. BESTERLY’S NOW I’M HERE Debora PIJPERS (NED) 854.00
4. PONGO Lotte JANSEN (NED) 851.00
5. RIDDERKERK Denise NEKEMAN (NED) 826.00

International dressage Intermediaire I FEI Intermediare I Test / Edition 2009
Pl. Horse Rider Points
1. ZORRO Geert Jan RAATELAND (NED) 69.32
2. BELLA ROSA Robin BEEKINK (NED) 66.89
3. RIVER’S MODOR Danielle KEUR (NED) 66.29
4. GARUDA K Lesley PEYTON GILBERT (GBR) 65.87
5. WALLSTREET Wim VERWIMP (BEL) 64.18

International dressage Grand Prix FEI Freestyle to Music / Edition 2009
Pl. Horse Rider Points
1. INTERFLOOR NEXT ONE Edward GAL (NED) 1547.00
2. LORD OF LOXLEY Hans Peter MINDERHOUD (NED) 1515.00
3. HEXAGON’S WELNETTA Laurens VAN LIEREN (NED) 1472.50
4. VERDI DE LA FAZENDA Johan ROCKX (NED) 1414.50
5. HP FRONTIER Sarah MILLIS (GBR) 1398.00

(British Dressage) – Following detailed discussions, BD can now announce that the use of half marks will be introduced at all levels from 01 December 2013. Having been in use throughout 2012 for national and international FEI level classes, BD are now confident that half marks should be extended to cover all levels of competition within the BD structure. To allow for sufficient time for judges, scorers and organisers to prepare themselves for the use of the new marking system, BD are allowing a substantial lead in period. The new system will come in to force with the new rule book.