DressageDaily:Joe Zada, Rider And Sponsor

Thursday March 18, 2004

Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic with Olympic Selection Trial Qualifiers Kicks Off Today

Joe Zada, Rider And Sponsor

Joe Zada of Michigan and Florida , the sponsor of the show is also scheduled to compete. Mr. Zada is entered with Acres Focus in the Prix St. Georges on Thursday, and the Intermediaire I on Friday. In Wellington , he trains with Robert Dover and Robert Ross – he is also an accomplished jumper rider. In dressage, Zada is schooling Grand Prix, but has yet to ride it for the judges. “I just haven't bit the bullet. Remembering the test is really the biggest issue,” he laughs. “But I can do all the moves for you!” His goal for 2004 is to debut at Grand Prix at the 3 rd Annual Zada Enterprises, LLC Dressage at the National in November.

Riders from the Midwest to ‘back east' are familiar with the name ‘Zada Enterprises, LLC' and the company's griffin logo with the ‘Z' on its hip – Joe Zada designed that logo himself from a family crest and his own affinity for griffins. The corporate name has rapidly emerged into the spotlight in connection with high-profile equestrian events in Michigan , Illinois , and Florida . Joe Zada's commitment to horses has led to his support of a long list of equestrian events through his Zada Enterprises, LLC – a corporation designated solely for sponsorships. As sole sponsor of this week's Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y, Zada Enterprises, LLC has offered $15,800 in prize money and awards for riders.

A native of Michigan and an amateur rider all his life, Zada first visited Wellington in 1996. By 1998, Zada had purchased a home in Wellington and launched his support of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Zada's commitment to the equestrian community includes not only events, but also individual horses and riders. As an owner, he sponsors competition mounts with Robert Dover, Robert Ross and David O'Connor. O'Connor won the Individual Gold Medal in eventing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics riding Zada's horse Custom Made.

Though Zada Enterprises, LLC evolved as a company devoted to sponsorships primarily in the equestrian world, the reach of the support extends to other endeavors as well, including sports sponsorships with law enforcement agencies in the United States . In West Palm Beach , Zada LLC sponsors The Bandits – the Sheriff's Football Team; and the Southern Florida Lawmen's Softball Teams. Zada Enterprises, LLC also funds handicapped and therapeutic riding centers in Michigan and Colorado and organizations supporting terminally ill AIDS patients.

As a businessman, Zada heads up a company with a diversified portfolio ranging from venture capitals to investments in property and real estate. The business keeps him traveling between his home in Michigan and European countries. “That's why Wellington is so important to me,” Zada says. “This is probably the only time of the year that I do ride. I only ride during the winters. The remainder of the year, I'm unfortunately too busy working to support the rest of the year.”

Zada is emphatic when it comes to describing his motivation for his sponsorships. “I believe in and love what I'm doing. The motivation is to promote the horse and to promote the beautiful relationship that a rider and a horse have.” He notes that he, and the people that he surrounds himself with, keep the involvement fun and in perspective. “That's very important to me, that we all appreciate and realize how lucky we are to get up every day and have these incredible horses to ride and compete and be in such an incredible environment.”