Wellington, FL  - Following Ashley Holzer's winning ride with Pop Art in the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3*, a qualifier for the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach, competition organizer Wellington Classic Dressage and the WDM management found themselves faced with a sports issue that has necessitated a decision to amend the schedule of the show. American Heather Blitz on Paragon, second in the CDI3* Grand Prix behind Holzer and Pop Art, is one of the two riders who would have been eligible to be invited for the 5* WDM Palm Beach. Holzer, and third placed Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven of Sweden on Divertimento, are already competing in the WDM Palm Beach on other horses and are not permitted to enter with a second horse. Invitations were therefore extended to Blitz, who placed second in the CDI3*, and James Koford of the US, who finished fourth on Pharaoh.

Last year, during SICAB, a collaboration agreement was signed between USPREA (United States PRE Association) and ANCCE, by which the US association would begin, as of February 1, 2012, to work directly to handle Studbook matters through its office in Wellington, Florida.  This agreement is an advantage for breeders in North America (USA and Canada) as they will be able to work through USPRE thus facilitating direct and fluid communications. The agreement, signed in Sevilla by Kimberly van Kampen Boyer and Javier Conde as Presidents of their respective Associations, designates the North American association as a collaborator for the only official register of PRE horses in the world and that is backed by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment.

American dressage rider, Guenter Seidel, of Cardiff, California has acquired a new Grand Prix horse with the help of Ed and Camille Penhoet of Toyon Farm in Napa Valley and will be aiming for a spot on the US Team at this summer’s Olympic Games in London.  Seidel will be campaigning Marie Meyers’ top Grand Prix horse, Fandango, the lovely Oldenburg Gelding by Feinstern, through August of 2012.  Seidel said,   “I am thrilled that Marie made this opportunity available and that Camille and Ed’s gracious support is making it possible.  I know the horse really well and he’s a super talent. Right now we’re focused on getting ready for the upcoming selection trials.”

Wellington, Fl - Para means parallel and para dressage riders from the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Finland, Mexico and Japan competing alongside their able-bodied counterparts for the first time in Wellington at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, is not only giving riders a boost to compete in the equine epicenter but is giving the dressage community an eye opener to what is possible as well. "It's not sad, it is sport," insists FEI5* judge Hanneke Gerritsen. Para dressage is high stakes competition as individuals riders seek qualifying scores for selection trials and team scores for the London Paralympics later this year, where Para Dressage is the only equestrian discipline on the Games.. American and Canadian teams will again contest top honors this week. With wheelchairs and canes left ringside, once on their horses, para riders join the ranks of normal competitors: focused, skilled, striving for accuracy and consistent harmony with their partners.