Wellington Dressage Trainer, John Zopatti wins USDF Gold Medal

Wellington, Florida- Dressage trainer, John Zopatti coveted one of the United States Dressage Federation’s (USDF) highest honors at the association’s national awards in Dallas in December. Zopatti was awarded the USDF Gold Medal. The medal is earned by achieving 4 scores over 60%, 2 at the Intermediare Level and 2 at the Grand Prix Level at USDF recognized shows. Zopatti earned his scores riding SG Guardian a Swedish Warmblood gelding that he has been training for owner, Christina Hewitt over the past three years. “I was pleased that Guardian’s training at the Grand Prix level was rewarded by the judges,” said a humble Zopatti, making no mention of the expert training and skill required of the rider to achieve success at the sport’s highest level of competition.

Much to Christina Hewitt’s delight, Zopatti and Guardian received two other honors at the national banquet. In the Swedish Warmblood division, they earned the Championship title in the Intermediare-II division and Res. Championship in the Grand Prix division. The pair finished 5th in the nation in the Horse of the Year standings at Intermediare II.

Zopatti’s students also made quite a showing at the USDF banquet, winning over 14 year-end honors. Two of Zopatti’s students, Kyrstalann Shingler and Kristy Truebenbach-Lund earned their USDF Silver Medals, for scores earned at 4th Level and Prix St. George. Meanwhile several of Zopatti’s students brought home awards in the breed divisions. Highlights of the student’s wins included: Randi Phillips and Baroque who won the Adult Amateur Training Level Championship for the American Warmblood Association with a 68.777% median score. Kristy Truebenbach-Lund and Nice Catch who won the Res. Championship Adult Amateur 4th Level title for the Dutch Warmblood Association with 65.349% median score. Johnny Robb and Mr. Bombastic won 8 awards, including the 3rd Level Musical Freestyle Championship for the Performance Horse Registry with a 67.136 median score and Res. Championship in the Adult Amateur 3rd Level division with a median score of 64%.

Zopatti and students train at Blue Marlin Farms, in Wellington, Florida-where the champagne was flowing in a post USDF Awards Banquet celebration last week!