February 10, 2006 – Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic, the second of three dressage shows featured at the 34th annual Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, launches into action on Thursday, February 16, and continues through Sunday, February 19, at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. Featured in the four-ring show are qualifying competitions for the Great American Insurance Group/United States Dressage Federation (GAIG/USDF) Regional Championships and the $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Show Jumping Team Spectacular. More than 200 first-class horses ridden by topnotch riders from North and South America and Europe are entered to compete.

Highlighting the show will be the $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Show Jumping Team Spectacular on Saturday, February 18, at 3:30 pm. The annual event, originally scheduled for February 4, was cancelled due to inclement weather. “John Deuss, our sponsor for the Team Spectacular for the past 10 years, is extremely pleased that we were able to re-schedule the event this year,” noted Mary Silcox, head of dressage at Stadium Jumping, Inc., the producer of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Silcox noted that no new entries would be included and that only the teams of riders that qualified to compete in the event on the original date will be allowed to compete on February 18. A favorite with spectators and riders alike, the Team Spectacular features dressage riders and show jumpers who pair up and switch disciplines. Jumpers ride Third Level Test 3 and dressage riders jump a Hit ‘n’ Hurry course up to 3’ 6”. Entries include the defending champions, Anne Kursinski, a four-time Olympic show jumper, and Bent Jensen, a dressage Olympian, who have won this event over a half-dozen times.

The four-day Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic will provide spectators with the opportunity to view classes from Training Level through Grand Prix. Of note to watch in the FEI ring (Federation Equestre International) is a renowned group of first-rate American riders from across the nation, including George Williams of Ohio with his two Grand Prix contenders Rocher and Marnix; Olympian Charlotte Bredahl Baker of California with Komo; Olympian Michelle Gibson of Florida with her spectacular Lex Barker; and Courtney King of New York with Idocus, who was the mount for Marlies van Baalen of The Netherlands at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. A strong field of international riders will also be competing, including Martin Rathfelder and Mirja Block of Germany; Lars Petersen of Denmark; Pia Aragao of Brazil; Marco Bernal and Cesar Parra of Colombia; Patrick Burssens of Mexico; and one of the strongest Canadian contingencies the show has ever hosted – Jacqueline Brooks, Dominique Culham, Shannon Dueck, Tom Dvorak, Susan Dutt-Roth, and Ashley Holzer.

Officiating at the Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic will be a panel of exemplary judges from the U.S., Canada, and Germany: Jessica Ransehousen ‘I’; Jeanne McDonald ‘C’; Betsy Berrey ‘S’; Brenda Minor, Canada, ‘S’; Anita Owen ‘S’; Tami Batts ‘R’; and Heiner Jeibmann, Germany, ‘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.

“We are very pleased and proud to have Joe Zada and his Zada Enterprises, LLC, once again sponsor this show,” noted Silcox. “All of us who participate in this event, from the riders, owners, and trainers to the vendors, show management, and spectators, appreciate everything Joe Zada does for this sport and thank him for his generosity.”

Winter Equestrian Festival Dressage Schedule
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

Winter Equestrian Festival Fast Facts

WHERE: Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, 14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, Florida 33414

HOURS: Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: General Admission Tickets are available at the gate. Wednesday: Admission is free. *Children 12 & Under Free Everyday.

Thursday and Friday: Adults- $5.00, Seniors (65)/Children 13 & Over-$5.00

Saturday: Adults- $10.00, Seniors (65)/Children 13 & Over- $5.00

Sunday: Adults- $15.00, Seniors (65)/Children 13 & Over- $5.00

Weekly General Admission Pass- $30.00

Seasonal General Admission Pass- $125.00

PARKING: Parking is free Wednesday through Sunday

DIRECTIONS: Approaching the show grounds from the Florida Turnpike, take Exit #93, Lake Worth Blvd., and travel west, crossing over 441. Travel five miles to South Shore Blvd., turn right on South Shore and proceed one mile to Pierson Road, then turn left at the light. Spectator Entrance is first left, on Equestrian Road.

Approaching the show grounds from Interstate I-95, take Exit 49. Travel west on Forest Hill Blvd. 11miles to South Shore Blvd. Turn left on South Shore and follow to Pierson Road. Turn right at the light on Pierson. Spectator Entrance is first left - Equestrian Road.