Sunday January 25, 2004

Canadian Snowbirds Start Florida Circuit in Winning Style

While the frigid temperatures again grip the Canadian landscape, a number of Canadian riders have temporarily relocated to sunny Florida in order to get a jump on the 2004 show season.

The 2004 show season will be a busy and very competitive one with riders & horses vying for spots on various international teams such as: Athens Olympics, FEI World Breeders Championships and North American Young Riders Championships. This translates for lots of excitement for both competitors, owners and spectators.

The Florida dressage show circuit began January 17 & 18 with the Palm Beach Dressage Derby Series Kickoff, hosted by The Horse Park at Equestrian Estates, in Loxahatchee Florida. Canadian short list “A” rider Shannon Dueck rode her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding in the Grand Prix classes. After placing 6 th in Saturday's Grand Prix with a score of 63.958%, the seasoned partnership made a huge leap up the scoreboard in Sunday's Grand Prix Special placing 2 nd with a score of 68.200%. This was only  2.667% behind class winners Robert Dover & FBW Kennedy who scored 70.867%.

“I was thrilled with Korona's carriage. power and lightness in both the Grand Prix and the Special.” enthused Dueck, “He stayed with me beautifully in the Special and received some great scores for it.”  Dueck hopes to make Korona more secure in the Grand Prix by taking him to many shows this spring and summer, with the aim of improving his competition confidence as much as his ability has improved.  “My goal is to be one of the 4 Canadian Team members sent to Athens,” said Dueck “and once there, to finish in the top 7 teams.  I hope that Korona has the same goals as I do!!”