Thursday, February 2, 2006

Wellington Dressage to Feature Large Contingent of International Grand Prix Riders Aiming for FEI World Equestrian Games

Dressage Riders and Showjumpers Prepare for 10th Annual $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Show Jumping Team Spectacular

Also highlighting Wellington Dressage is the 10th annual running of the $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Show Jumping Team Spectacular, which will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 4.

This featured competition is a spectator favorite as first-rate dressage riders and show jumpers pair up and switch disciplines. Jumpers will ride Third Level Test 3 and dressage riders will jump a Hit ‘n’ Hurry course up to 3’ 6”.

Entries in this fun and exciting class include the defending champions – show jumping’s four-time Olympian Anne Kursinski and dressage Olympian Bent Jensen; this duo has won the class more than half a dozen times. Both coach each other and select the most competitive horses they can find, and are expected to battle it out to maitain their reign.

Additional entries include dressage rider Nicole Levy, a Team Bronze Medalist at the 2002 NAYRC, paired with Ireland’s Olympic show jumper, Kevin Babbington; and Heather Bender, who has earned her United States Dressage Federation Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals, paired with Grand Prix show jumper Roberto Teran of Colombia, who has represented his country in Nations’ Cup competition.

Mr. John Deuss and Windsome Farm have sponsored Wellington Dressage and the $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Show Jumping Team Spectacular for 10 consecutive years.

Officiating at Wellington Dressage will be a distinguished panel of international judges at the FEI rings: Natalie Lamping 'I', Marianne Ludwig 'I', Joan MaCartney 'I' and Lois Yukins 'I'. Judging Training through Fourth Level will be Maryall Barnett 'C', Jane Weatherwax 'C', Susan Roberto 'R', and Lynda Southam 'R'.

In addition to ribbons and prize money awarded to the top six places in each class, at the conclusion of the show High Score Awards for Champion and Reserve Champion will be presented to the top two horse/rider combinations in each of the following divisions: First Level, Second Level, Third Level, and Fourth Level.

Winter Equestrian Festival Dressage Schedule

February 2-5 – Wellington Dressage
February 16-19 – Zada Enterprises, L.L.C. Florida Dressage Classic
March 16-19 – Zada Enterprises, L.L.C. WEF Dressage Classic, CDI 3*/Y
March 17-18 – USEF National Grand Prix Freestyle Championship / U.S. League Final CDI-W, the Official Selection for the 2006 FEI World Cup Dressage Final