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Thursday, March 29, 2007

The Final US League Finals About to Begin in Burbank

Judges' Panel to Feature Three "O" Judges

Planning for this event began about one year ago, says Glenda, with choosing the judges panel--Gary Rockwell (O) , Cara Whitham(O), Jane Weatherwax (S)and Evi Eisenhardt (O) and Gustav Svalling(I).

"I try to find judges that are actively judging other major events. I try always to find one top judge that might be new to the competitors," says Glenda. Svalling, for example, judged last year's World Cup Finals. The three O judges have judged nearly every top dressage competition in the world. Weatherwax is one of the U.S.A.'s top younger judges.

Asked about decorations, Glenda laughs, pointing out that there has to be a balance between pleasing the audience with the floral decorations (handled,as usual by Brett Starn) and pleasing the riders--who would probably be happiest with an absolutely bare arena, so no distractions for the horses. "But", she promises, "this year will be spectacular." Further, she smiles, "this will level the playing field--the arena will be unfamiliar looking to the West Coast horses just as much as those from the East Coast."