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Sunday, February 3, 2008 |
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Welcome Back to White Fences Kicks Off Its 2008 Season Ingred Lin Makes White Fences Dressage Shows Relaxing for All
But the development didn’t take place as planned and White Fences was put up for sale. In 2006, Lin moved to the property herself. During its height as a location for dressage shows, White Fences played host even to CDI competitions, including the popular Palm Beach Dressage Derby. "At the time, there really wasn’t another showgrounds in the area. So, dressage shows really started up again at White Fences," Lin said. Because she had served as president of the Gold Coast Dressage Association, that organization also started using White Fences for its shows. "This place was made for shows so it only seemed natural to use it," Lin said. But over time, the wear and tear on the property, not to mention on Lin herself, caused her to take a break from playing show host. But the demand never died away. "So many people told me that they had such fond memories of showing here because anyone who had been showing in Florida for awhile had shown on this property," Lin said. Ultimately, she agreed that White Fences really was meant to be a show grounds. "The layout is really so wonderful and not just competitors, but for spectators as well. It’s easy to see the arenas from most any place. Wherever you stand, you can see what’s going on in three rings." And best of all, Lin said, White Fences is quiet and no one feels intimidated by the show. "The whole atmosphere is very quiet. Horses stabled close to rings. There is little vehicle noise. So, people always like this venue and the grounds are pretty." Lin herself is an adult amateur rider who came into dressage from a hunter/jumper background. Although she’s competed at the highest levels of dressage, she knows what it’s like for adult amateurs to find themselves in the show ring with top professionals. "Dressage in general, has become so competitive. And most of the riders out there are adult amateurs and it can be very intimidating to be riding against an Olympic contender on a fancy horse in your class," Lin said. "It makes some people feel that maybe they don’t belong in dressage."
PhelpsPhoto: Carol Lavel hacked her own Much Ado from her training barn around the corner to debut the 2008 season at Intermediaire II with a high score of 73.171, and the Welcome Back toWhite Fences I show. If you’ve not had the chance to see the fun at White Fences, you’ll want to catch it this winter season. First show of the 2008 series is the Welcome Back to White Fences I this weekend. And here’s the schedule for the rest of them.
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White Fences sits on 25 acres and has four regulation-size competition rings. Lin and her former husband bought the property in 1990. "It had an old, big blue barn that had about 26 stalls and a groom’s quarters and three arenas. It was built by Howalt and Giselle Pferde-Kaemper. Their idea was to develop White Fences for dressage and this was supposed to be like the town center where everyone could come and ride and they’d have horse shows," Lin said.
The purpose of the Welcome Back to White Fences dressage show series is to show adult amateurs that they do belong in dressage. "It’s meant to be a place where people don’t feel intimidated and where there is a feeling of comradery," Lin said. It’s also the perfect venue to try out a new level or a new horse or a young horse. "I really encourage people who are bringing out young horses or trying their first Grand Prix."
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