(NEDA) – The New England Dressage Association (NEDA) is happy to welcome the 2012 NEDA Fall Symposium to a new location in New Gloucester, ME, bringing it for the first time to the northern New England states.  This year it will feature FEI “O” Judge Stephen Clarke of Great Britain and Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer.  Clarke will be coming to New England after serving as President of the Ground Jury at the 2012 London Olympics.  Holzer, who has represented Canada in international competition for many years, will also arrive at the NEDA Symposium after competing in the London Games as a member of this year’s Canadian Olympic Dressage Team.  Holzer finished 20th in the team dressage on her horse, Breaking Dawn, with a score of 71.809%.  Unfortunately, the Canadian team was eliminated.  She was also the only Canadian to qualify for the individual dressage where she finished 24th with a score of 71.317%.

“This is going to be a very exciting Fall Symposium,” said Jen Dillon,

NEDA Fall Symposium Coordinator.  “Both clinicians will be fresh off the 2012 London Olympics, so in addition to great teaching, I am sure we will hear fascinating stories about their experiences in London.”

The Fall Symposium is being held at a new location, Pineland Farms Equestrian Center in New Gloucester, Maine, on October 27th and 28th.  “The festivities will begin Friday late afternoon, October 26th, with a complimentary wine tasting at The Market.  Saturday evening will feature a dinner and anniversary celebration at the Mount Washington Room on the Pineland Farms campus,” Dillon said.  So far, early registration for the Fall Symposium is the strongest it has ever been.  A record number of people have registered to audit the event – an amount equaling twice the number of people who registered for last year’s symposium at this date!  These lucky NEDA members took advantage of a special $50/day auditing fee that was made possible by Pineland Farms’ generous donation of the use of their facility.  Early registration ends October 10th.

The Pineland Farms Equestrian Center offers a heated indoor arena capable of holding a full size dressage arena and seating for 1,000+ auditors.  The center is located two hours from Boston, just 60 miles from the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area, and no more than 30 minutes north of Portland, Maine.  There is plenty of on-site parking for most (if not all) auditors, sponsors, and riders.  Parking at the Equestrian Center will open at 7:30 a.m. on both days, and registration will begin at 8:00 a.m.  There will be a large, heated vendor area for shopping and gathering during the catered lunch.  Space for vendors at the trade fair is still available.  Interested parties should contact sponsorship@neda.org.

On-site group housing is available for sponsors, vendors, auditors, and volunteers.  Discounted hotel rates are available at the Comfort Inn Portland (207-775-0409) and Comfort Suites Freeport (207-865-9300).  Mention NEDA for the discount when booking by phone.

“The NEDA Fall Symposium is always a highlight of the year, and considering Stephen and Ashley will have both just returned from the Olympic Games, it will definitely be an event not to be missed,” Dillon said, adding that both clinicians have amazing resumes.  “We are also excited about hosting the Fall Symposium at the Pineland Farms Equestrian Center and want to thank them for graciously donating their facility.”

Clarke’s resume includes competing successfully nationally and internationally on the home trained Ulysses, Becket, Warlock’s Wager, Enchante, and Eternal Spirit, each of whom were National Championship winners.  In 1988, he was reserve for the Seoul Olympics with Becket. Over the last decade, his career as an F.E.I. Official International Judge has taken him around the globe judging all major competitions including three World Cup Finals, three European Championships, the World Games in Jerez, the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, the Olympic Games in Athens, and the Pan American Games in Rio De Janeiro, and several World Young Horse Championships.

Holzer is a four-time Olympian. She won an Olympic bronze medal and has also won gold and silver medals at the Pan Am Games.  She was born in Canada and still represents her country, where she has made a name for herself on the horse Pop Art.  Now a U.S. citizen, she resides in New York City with her husband and two children.  “I don’t think many people realize that some of the world’s best horses and riders call the Northeast their home,” she said

NEDA is asking all interested participants to pre-register for the Fall Symposium. All auditors who pre-register will receive:  parking on-site at the Equestrian Center; 10% off coupon for purchase at The Market; and raffle tickets to win prizes throughout the symposium.  Ticket prices for the Saturday evening banquet range from $36 to $50.  The price for members is $65 per day or $118 for two days.  Walk-ins are welcome, although the price of admission goes up significantly if you choose to pay at the door.

For more information on the NEDA Fall Symposium, contact Jennifer Dillon at fallsym@neda.org or by phone at 508-641-3121.  Pineland Farms’ Elizabeth Creamer (ecreamer@pinelandfarms.org) is also available by phone at 207-657-6419.  To learn more about the event, visit http://www.neda.org/Education-FallWeekend.html.  To learn more about NEDA, visit www.neda.org.