Wellington, FL - In the team’s first appearance at the international level, Carmen Franco and the Lusitano stallion Vinho Dos Pinhais recently represented Colombia at the Intermediare I level during the Nations Cup CDI 3*, and their exceptional performance earned them the High Score Lusitano award, sponsored by Interagro Lusitanos. Franco was very excited to show what the 11-year-old Lusitano stallion was all about in this highly competitive dressage ring. “I’m very proud to be here,” she commented, “because we really have to make it for our team for this first year at the international level.” Franco continued, “I’m very proud to bring a Lusitano here. It’s really an amazing experience having a different breed here among this big group of warmbloods. There are good relationships with every horse,” she added, “but the Lusitanos give you something a little extra special that is very nice to have. He’s doing very well, and I am very pleased,” Franco said about Vinho Dos Pinhais, who is owned by Nanette Sexton of Southgate Farm. Sexton is a big fan of the Lusitano breed, and in fact owns two exceptional horses from Interagro: Ubrique Interagro and Acolito Interagro.

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named the following four horse-and-rider combinations to the U.S. Dressage Team for the Aachen CDIO5* held during CHIO Aachen in Germany, June 26-30, 2013. Additionally, two Small Tour combinations have been named to represent the U.S. in CDI4* competition. In 2013, the United States will also be represented for the first time in CDI-U25 competition. The following four combinations have been named to the U.S. Dressage Team for the Aachen CDIO5*(listed in Alphabetical Order):

Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) on Ann Romney, Amy Ebeling, and Beth Meyers' Rafalca
Rafalca is a 1997 Oldenburg mare
Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) on Patricia Stempel's Doktor
Doktor is a 2003 Oldenburg gelding
Tina Konyot (Palm City, FL) on her own Calecto V
Calecto V is a 1998 Danish Warmblood stallion
Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA) on Four Winds Farm's Legolas 92
Legolas 92 is a 2002 Westphalian gelding

Rancho Murieta, CA - Two exciting education opportunities will be held June 12-14, 2013 in conjunction with the Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* in Rancho Murieta, CA. The first opportunity is a Para-Equestrian Dressage FEI Course (With Exams) for Promotion to FEI 3* and 4. The second is a Para-Equestrian Dressage FEI Refresher Seminar (without Exams) for FEI Judges. Click Here to go to the USEF website where you may download the application or apply online. To view both courses on the FEI website or to learn more please Click Here

The 15th Youth Dressage Festival is approaching fast! This year it will be on July 12-14 at HITS in Saugerties, NY. We have an exciting group of judges and look forward to seeing all our old friends and making new ones. Get in your entries as soon as possible, you can find the prize list and entry forms on youthdressagefestival.com. Here is the link to the new PRINTABLE NEWSLETTER
2013 Emerging Athlete Students
Emerging Dressage Athlete Program Clinics are being scheduled all over the USA! These clinics not only provide lessons with a top instructor, but also additional education opportunities throughout the day! There will be an EDAP clinic in June in Michigan, with others being scheduled soon. Dressage4Kids is also looking for people and farms willing to host these clinics! Contact Lendon if you would like to host a clinic!