Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y

WELLINGTON, FL – March 22, 2004 – Dressage returned to the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club for the third of three dressage shows held at the 32nd Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y was held March18 through 21. The finale show to the Winter Equestrian Festival’s run in Wellington featured United States Equestrian Team Federation (USETF) Qualifying Competitions for the USETF Grand Prix Dressage Championship/2004 Olympic Games Selection Trials and USETF Intermediaire I Championship. The show was also the Official Region 3 United States Dressage Federation Qualifying Competition for the 2004 North American Young Rider’s Championship.

Robert Dover And FBW Kennedy Win Grand Prix, CDI***

Robert Dover and FBW Kennedy owned by Jane Forbes Clark earned 72.583% on opening day of the show in the Grand Prix, CDI***. Dover, 47, of Wellington and Southampton, NY, aboard his Olympic hopeful, a 13-year-old Wurttemberger gelding by Tiro, topped a class of 34 entries.

Denmark’s Lars Petersen of Loxahatchee, FL, riding his Dansko’s Success earned judges’ marks of 70.625% for second place. Tina Konyot of Stonington, CT, and Stuart, FL, claimed third place with Sally Miller’s 12-year-old Dutch mare Anna Karenina by Sultan, receiving 70.00%.

Lars Petersen And Dansko’s Success Win Grand Prix Special, CDI*** At WEF

On Friday, Lars Petersen, 39, of Loxahatchee, FL, riding his own Dansko’s Success won the Grand Prix Special, CDI***, 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.

The class was the debut of Dansko’s Success in the Special. “I thought he was a little better than yesterday actually,” said Petersen. “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.” In the 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.”

The 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 on Friday 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%.

Julie Watchorn Wins Young Rider Test
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%.

Catherine Morelli And BeSe Win Intermediaire I, CDI*** At Winter Equestrian Festival

Topping a class of 20 entries, Catherine Morelli, 60, of Bedminster, NJ, and Wellington, FL, rode Diane Rosenberg’s BeSe to victory in the Intermediaire I, CDI on Saturday, earning 70.60%. Canada’s Ashley Holzer aboard Gambol placed second – just splits behind the winner on a score of 70.30%. Heather Bender of Wellington rode her own Winwood to third place, earning judge’s marks of 69.90%. The class was a Qualifying Competition for the 2004 USET Intermediaire I Championship.

BeSe is an 11-year-old, 16-hand bay Dutch warmblood gelding by Flemmingh out of Wabatsje that Morelli has had the ride on for three years. Yesterday, the duo tied for first place in the Prix St. Georges, CDI with Michael Shondell and his Wallaby.

Judging today’s class 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.

Julie Watchorn And Quintesse Win Young Rider Prix St. Georges, CDI/Y

Julie Watchorn of Schomberg, Ontario, and Quintesse notched their second win in this CDI, scoring 64.850% to best a class of seven entries in the Young Rider Prix St. Georges, CDI/Y. Quintesse is an 11-year-old, 16.2-hand, bay Belgian Warmblood mare by Latano out of Idit.

Adrienne Rogers of Newnan, GA, riding her own Dutch gelding Milky Way placed second with a score of 62.100%. Stacy Gormley of Royal Palm Beach, FL, and her Rhinelander gelding Fidelis 9 earned 59.800% for third. The class was a Qualifying Competition for the 2004 North American Young Rider’s Championships.

Robert Dover And FBW Kennedy Win Grand Prix Freestyle, CDI*** At WEF

Wrapping up the Zada Enterprises LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI on Sunday, Robert Dover aboard FBW Kennedy owned by Jane Forbes Clark won the Grand Prix Freestyle, CDI***. The duo topped a field of 12 horses. Dover claimed victory with 77.550%. Canada’s Shannon Dueck of Wellington aboard Korona placed second with 72.025%. Cheri Reiber of Toronto, Ontario, placed third scoring 70.375% with her G Tudor.

“It’s rare when you’re riding a horse that while you’re going around you’re thinking – this is amazing! The fun that he has with it and the feeling that I’m on just a wonderful, wonderful, animal,” said Dover about his Freestyle with Kennedy. The duo was performing the kur in competition for the first time. Dover choreographed his kur two months ago, but only received his music two days ago, allowing one practice session with it yesterday. Dover worked with Holland-based Hot Neon via phone and email to construct the music. “It is only 65% finished. They’re just geniuses,” said Dover. “The music came together enough just to perform today, but now they’ll get the video and they’ll tweak it and perfect it. Between now and June, we’ll finish it.”

Dover called the piece “Kennedy’s Melodies” because it’s a string of melodies from the 1920s and ‘30s including Charleston music and tunes like Steam Heat, Hernando’s Hideaway, and Bye Bye Blackbird.

While Kennedy won both his classes this weekend, Dover’s other Clark-owned mount, Rainier, uncharacteristically placed sixth in the Grand Prix and third in the Special. “He’s done five shows in a row and he had just been shown out pretty much,” Dover said, noting that he picked up his whip for the first time this season five minutes before he and Rainier went in the ring for the Grand Prix. “It was a tactical error because it got him angry and then he did not want to play. Rainier has to be with you, he has to be wanting it.” Dover went off course in the class and explained, “That was part of me not feeling that he really wanted to go, and then I got myself thinking about other things. I went down the centerline when I shouldn’t have.”

Luckily for Dover, in the qualifying procedure for the Selection Trials, he is allowed to drop a score. With the pressure off, the duo had a better performance in the Special on Friday. “He actually was a real gentleman – not on full power like he had been at other shows, but I knew that I already had my score. I had thrown out the score from Thursday. I wanted a nice quiet finish to my season down here with him where he was happy with me and I think I achieved that.”

Dover is now qualified with both horses to contest the Olympic Selection Trials in San Juan Capistrano, CA, in June. “With Kennedy at this moment I am just behind Debbie [McDonald] in second overall for the country. With Rainier I’m fifth in the country. I’m thrilled,” said Dover, and added, “I’m just a happy guy. Again, I have Jane Clark to thank for me being such a happy guy!”

Kathy Riley And Adonis Win Intermediaire Freestyle, CDI

Katie Riley, 32, of Whitehouse Station, NJ, and Jupiter, FL, topped nine entries to win the Intermediaire Freestyle, CDI, scoring 71.475% with Adonis owned by Horses Unlimited. Michael Shondel of Kinnelon, NJ, earned 71.00% with his Wallaby for second place. Patricia Becker of Lake Forest, IL, scored 70.375% for third aboard Tsunami owned by Leslie Richmann.

“It was a lot of fun. Everything just seemed to come together. It felt fantastic,” said Riley who has had the ride on the 11-year-old stallion by Aalborg for 18 months. Riley is the assistant trainer at Cesar Parra’s stable, Piaffe Performance, and has been in training with Parra for four years. Parra formerly rode Adonis and showed him successfully through 2002. Riley’s freestyle music was entitled Miracles, a kur Parra performed with Adonis. “He was kind enough to let me have it,” said Riley. “I love the music. It’s mainly Spanish guitar.”

Riley noted that she was most proud of the tempi changes. “I got 8s on my changes, which have sometimes been a problem, so it was nice to have it all work today,” she said. “The best part was that I was able to have a lot of fun. I love this horse so much. He’s a pleasure and can be so expressive. To have him so there – I could just sit and smile and relax and have a great time.”

Second-placed Shondell is also a student of Parra’s and Riley was pleased that he did well also. “It’s so wonderful. We have a great group of people. We support each other. I’ve been second to Michael sometimes. It’s great, the feeling of really having a team. No one fosters that better than Cesar. I’m as happy when Michael wins and vice versa. We’re very lucky. We have a fantastic group of people and great horses.”

Her win today was a milestone for Riley. “I’m still a little bit in awe. I’ve been consistent, but this is the first time I’ve won in a CDI. It’s really a fantastic feeling right now.”

Julie Watchorn And Quintesse Win FEI Young Rider Freestyle, CDI/Y

Making a clean sweep of all the FEI Young Rider classes, Julie Watchorn of Schomberg, Ontario, riding Quintesse won the FEI Young Rider Freestyle, CDI/Y, topping a field of three entries with a score of 67.100% to notch her third win in this CDI. Jodie Kelly of Destin, FL, riding Weltkaar owned by Laurie Kelly placed second on a score of 65.250%. Jackie Sharp riding Prebor for owner Kaye Triplett of Hillard, OH, scored 57.325% for third.

High Scores

Jane Cleveland with Kavalier earned 74.565% at Fourth Level Test 3 to win the Fourth Level Championship and High Score of the USEF segment of the show. Bill McMullin and Ducan scored 74.286% in First Level Test 3 to win the First Level Championship. Charlotte Bayley and Playboy earned 72.143% in Third Level Test 2 for the Third Level Championship. Michael Shondell and Silver Label received 71.892% for their Second Level Test 2 ride, earning the Second Level Championship.

2004 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION

The Winter Equestrian Festival continues in Tampa at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center.

For ticket information for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune at the Raymond James Stadium, 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 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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