WELLINGTON, FL – March 19, 2004 – Denmark’s Lars Petersen, 39, of Loxahatchee, FL, riding his own Dansko’s Success won the Grand Prix Special, CDI*** at the Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y in Wellington, FL, today, scoring 71.720%. Tina Konyot riding Anna Karenina for owner Sally Miller placed second on judges’ marks of 70.080%. Robert Dover of Wellington and Southampton, NY, aboard Rainier for Jane Forbes Clark earned third place with 69.60%. Ten horses competed in the class, a qualifying competition for the 2004 USET Foundation Grand Prix Championship and the Olympic Selection Trials.

Today’s competition was the debut of Dansko’s Success in the Special. “I thought he was a little better than yesterday actually,” said Petersen, who placed second to Dover on FBW Kennedy in the Grand Prix on Thursday. “Very fresh in the beginning, also in the warm-up, but that’s good. I like it that he’s still fresh. After three days here – he still has that much energy, that’s great.” Petersen notes that the 10-year-old, 17-hand gray gelding by Blue Horse Silvermoon is a playful horse. “He can buck – there’s a lot of people that don’t want to get on him in the barn. I love it because a good international horse has to be like that. They have to have this fire otherwise in three years they don’t think it’s fun anymore.”

In today’s test, Petersen pointed out that his mount’s best movements were the passage and the half passes. “I don’t think he does anything bad, it’s just that he needs a little more mileage. He piaffes super but he goes a little bit forward. Of course it has to be on the spot, which I can’t do yet with him, but his technique in it is really good.”

Petersen has permanently relocated to the United States from his native Denmark. “We have a farm here in Loxahatchee and my wife Mette’s parents live in this country, they’re Americans, so we like it.” He noted that if he does decide to compete in the Olympics, he would have to go to Europe to campaign. A member of the Danish team for nine years, Petersen rode Blue Hors Caravan in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Today’s win had special meaning for Petersen. “It was great, especially with these judges that are here because they know. They are really good judges and that’s more important for me really. You can go some place and win but these guys see the best riders almost every weekend.”

The international panel officiating was: Mariette Withages (O) Belgium; Beatrice Buerchler-Keller (O) Switzerland; Uwe Mechlem (O) Germany; Axel Steiner (O) United States; and Lois Yukins (I) United States.

It was also the first Special for Konyot’s Anna Karenina who was just edged into second place. The mare was recovering from a recent short illness, and had not been in full training prior to the CDI. “I never had an opportunity to run through the Special. I think when I came into the piaffe, she was a little bit startled from the walk,” said Konyot, 42, of Stonington, CT, and Stuart, FL. “We had little mistakes – mostly it’s the rider mistakes but what was good, the judges really liked. We got lots of 8s and 9s.”

If Konyot qualifies the mare as one of the top 12 to go to the Championships/Selection Trials, she intends to make the trip. “I am going to California. I will definitely do so. I will follow this as far as it goes without pressuring anything too far, which I won’t do, but I believe the way she is coming along, the judges love her,” said Konyot who has only competed in four Grand Prix with the 12-year-old, 17.1-hand black Dutch mare by Sultan. “I’m very, very happy. She’s a great girl. The judges comments were ‘wonderful horse’ and ‘incredible horse and rider’.”

Morelli And Shondell Tie For Win In PSG, CDI
The Prix St. Georges, CDI wrapped up today after 21 horses competed over two days, ending in a tie. Catherine Morelli, 60, of Wellington and Bedminster, NJ, aboard BeSe owned by Diane Rosenberg and Michael Shondell, 21, of Jupiter, FL, and Kinnelon, NJ, riding his own Wallaby both earned 68.950% and first place. Canada’s Ashley Holzer aboard Gambol was just edged out of making it a three-way tie with her score of 68.55%.

In the FEI Young Rider Team Test, CDI/Y, Julie Watchorn of Schomberg, Ontario, rode Quintesse to the win with 64.311%. Stacy Gormley of Royal Palm Beach, FL, aboard Fidelis 9 was second earning 62.844%. Adrienne Rogers of Newnan, GA, and Milky Way placed third scoring 62.133%.

The Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y, is the third of three dressage shows held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club as part of the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival. With more than 300 horses entered, the three-star CDI is the largest of the 2004 WEF dressage shows. Four rings are in action through March 21, which is ‘Freestyle Sunday’ featuring kurs to music in USDF Test of Choice, Intermediaire I Open, Intermediaire I CDI, Young Riders CDI, and Grand Prix, CDI.

2004 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION

Show days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival are Wednesday through Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 am. Ticket Prices: Wednesdays are free to everyone; Children 12 and under are admitted free every day; Young Adults 13 to 18 and Seniors are $5 on Thursday through Sunday; Adults are $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is located on Pierson Road off South Shore Boulevard. For additional information, visit www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561-793-5867.

For ticket information for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune, visit www.TicketMaster.com or call (813) 253-2782 or Toll-Free (877) 909-9436. Ticket prices range from $20 to $70 for reserved seating at the Raymond James Stadium.

2004 WEF SCHEDULE OF COMPETITIONS

March 18 – 21 Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y

(Qualifier for Olympic Selection Trials)

March 24 - 28 Tampa Bay Classic CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)

March 30 - April 3 Tournament of Champions CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)

April 3 Budweiser American Invitational (Raymond James Stadium)

WEF 2004 MILLION DOLLAR GRAND PRIX SERIES

March 28 $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, presented by Kilkenny/ICH, CSI-W

April 3 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational,

Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune

CHARLOTTE JUMPER CLASSIC CSI****

Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC

April 9 -11 Charlotte Jumper Classic CSI****

April 11 $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte For the Charlotte Bobcat Cup

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