Thursday, January 19, 2006

Gold Coast Opener Festival CDI*** Starts Off The Busy Dressage in Florida 2006 Season

Marciel Guerrero and Ingred Pollak's Lusitano Stallion Que Ba HM Win Adashi Award for Best Turnout

If you were to ask FEI dressage rider, Ingred Pollak what the one thing she could never live without would be, she would probably tell you it would be her long time groom, Marciel Guerrero. The winner of the Best Male Presentation at the show this weekend has been Ingred's right hand man for the past five years and has faithfully assisted her in every aspect of her training and care of her nine horses she trains at her lavish facility in White Fences. Pollak who imports Lusitano's from Brazil explained that at all the Lusitano breed shows, well dressed attire is the norm."We practice this at home a lot." explained Pollak. "It's important the horses learn to behave, and present themselves well in hand."

Ingred was lucky enough to be introduced to Marciel through a mutual friend, and the two have been an unbeatable team ever since. He has traveled with her to every competition she has competed in, grooming for multiple horses from the lower levels through the Grand Prix. Today most of her horses are competing at fourth level or the Prix St. Georges with ages ranging from 8-10 years. He really enjoys his working relationship with Ingred and says they compliment each other well and work great together. “It is more like a friendship than a boss to employee type of relationship. I really put my heart and soul into the business and would like to see the quality of the horses and farm continues to improve over the next few years. Ingrid is wonderful to work for!”

In the past five years, Marciel has proven that he is a jack of all trades, driving her five horse rig all over the United States, working her horses in hand (piaffe, passage, long line) and rubbing friendly shoulders with some of the world’s finest dressage trainers, including Juan Matute of Spain. He manages her horses at home while also grooming for Ingrid at shows during her busy season in Wellington, Florida. This weekend, he managed seven of her horses at her farm while caring for and grooming two of her horses for her at this show. Ingred tends to enjoy riding grey horses, so Marciel has his work cut out for him trying to keep them spotless. He must have a few tricks up his sleeve, because the horses always are presented immaculately.

If only we could all be so blessed to have such great help with our horses!