Loxahatchee, Florida – They came. They won. They went home. After collecting a number of ribbons at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge II, held March 12-14 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, the Barteau family loaded up their horses and headed out Sunday for the 23-hour drive home to the Chicago area. It was a quick trip for Yvonne Barteau. Her daughter, Kassie, 21, spent the winter in Florida as a working student with Cathy Morelli while her parents, Yvonne and Kim, were back home at their KYB Dressage in Maple Park, Illinois. "We have the business to run and it's been very busy this year," Yvonne said. She came down to compete in last weekend's Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI and this past weekend's Challenge II.
Jennifer Conour took this image of her FEI Dressage horse Rumor from his back while riding on Crecent Beach, Florida near Double L Farm
Check Out DressageDaily's Real Estate Listings Nestled in the cozy community of De Leon Springs Double L Farm, owned and managed by FEI Level Dressage rider Louise Levesque providing top care for your horse at reasonable rates. And there is a beautiful beach nearby you can bring your horses to ride. With board starting at $450 per month (including bedding) Double L farm has ample stabling, turn out, and riding arenas. Access to covered arena and a selection of top trainers, Double L offers a low cost option for coming to Florida, or for leaving your lay-up or retirees in good hands. FEI Dressage rider and trainer Jennifer Conour recently brought several horses to escape the winter weather and continue her training at the Double L Farm, in Deleon Springs, Florida.
Anne Gribbons riding Maxine Tabas' Dante credit: SharonPacker.com
Anne Gribbons continued to enjoy her break from her busy schedule as an FEI "O" judge and U.S. Dressage Team Technical Advisory by taking another win on the final day of the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge II. The win came in Fourth Level Test 3 with Maxine Tabas' Dante. Gribbons and Dante had also won Friday's FEI or Equivalent Test of Choice. The seven-year-old Dante, sired by Donnerhall and out of a mare sired by Pik Bube, has been in training with Gribbons for about two years. This weekend's show, held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, was only his third. "I've ridden both of the stallions in his bloodlines and they are wonderful and Dante is also a fabulous horse," Gribbons said.
Challenge of the Americas Grand Prix Quadrille Competition for Breast Cancer at the International Polo Club in Wellington Florida March, 13, 2010. First place to 'Team International' made up of riders from 6 different nations.
Steffen Peters and Ravel Dominate the Grand Prix Division at the 2010 Dressage Affaire in Del Mar California Credit: terrimiller.com
Steffen Peters was ecstatic about his 77.66% scoring ride in the CDI Grand Prix on Ravel, his 2008 Olympic mount. “I am happy not only that this is our personal best in the Grand Prix, but also that we did it at home. It is always more difficult to score your best at home. The home crowd is a competitor’s toughest audience.” Ravel and Peters, stars around the international dressage community, still live and train right here in Del Mar where the show takes place. Peters, as the consummate competitor, is well aware of the unique challenges of competing in a great stakes’ show on home turf.
Patriot by Pilox - one of the fine prospects that will be offered in the Highlife Farms Diamond Select sale on Sunday, March 28th at 2 pm at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. (Photo courtesy of SusanjStickle.com)
West Palm Beach, FL (March 12, 2010) – Horse enthusiasts interested in purchasing world-class sport horses will be able to find just what they are looking for at an upcoming “European style” horse auction, hosted by Highlife Farms and featuring commentary by the legendary horseman George Morris. The sale will be held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on Sunday, March 28, beginning at 2 pm, and feature over 35 horses and sport ponies from Highlife Farms, the country’s most prominent breeding farm and home to spectacular world-class sport horses.
“European auctions and sales offer a party-like atmosphere with breeders selling their horses, and that is exactly what we will be doing,” said Joan Sims, who owns Highlife Farms with her husband Kenny. “Our sale will be like attending a European Sport Horse auction, without having to leave Florida.”
Dressage Olympian Guenter Seidel wearing a helmet in the warm up.
The CDI Warm-up often has as many spectators as the competition arena itself. At the Dressage Affaire in Del Mar, California, top US dressage riders such as Steffen Peters, Guenter Seidel and Beth Ball wore highly protective GPA helmets in the warm-up in response to the recent tragic accident of Courtney King Dye. Their example was noted and appreciated by spectators and by those who had have loved ones involved in similar accidents. Although it is unusual to see GPA helmets on dressage riders, after Courtney’s unfortunate accident, hopefully, their presence will become permanent and integral equipment for each rider. Akiko Yamazaki, owner of Ravel, wore her GPA helmet in the competition arena as well. In addition, Shannon and Steffen Peters’ barn made green lapel ribbons as a show of solidarity and prayer for Courtney King. The ribbons were worn by spectators, riders and show staff.
Hanneke Gerritsen (NED) will be president of the Para Equestrian Ground Jury at the Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky
Show manager Kim Keenan Stordahl proves her visionary capabilities once again as the sixth annual Dressage Affaire, CDI, opened Friday, March 12, with its traditional CDI3*YJ along with its first annual CPEDI3*(Para Equestrian CDI). This means that the 2010 show offers CDI classes for para-equestrians alongside those offered to able-bodied equestrians. Keenan was excited that nine para-equestrians had entered the show. The Para classes had international Para Judge Hanneke Gerritsen (NED) and th weekend also includead a para clinic with Debbie McDonald. Many of these para riders perform on borrowed horses, and many of their horses, as well as the other CDI riders’ horses must travel considerable distance to compete.
Spectators of Saturday’s Intermediaire class at the Dressage Affaire, at the Del Mar Horse Park, in Del Mar California, had the opportunity to watch dressage riding at its finest as three-time Olympian Guenter Seidel rode Dick and Jane Brown’s 11 year old KWPN gelding Trinity through a beautiful test and to a winning score of 72.737%. The veteran rider’s polish and experience in the competition arena along with Trinity’s steady temperament has allowed the horse’s first year competing in CDI’s to be highly successful. Trinity is by the KWPN stallion, Flemming who has produced many top dressage horses.
