Rancho Murieta, CA - Para-Dressage riders from North America united at the Rancho Murieta Equestrian Center for the 2013 Golden State Dressage Classic CPEDI3* weekend. Horse and rider combinations turned out for the FEI Horse Inspection on Thursday, June 13, in front of FEI Veterinary Delegate Dr. Mike Tomlinson, DVM (USA); FEI Ground Jury President Alison King (HK) FEI 4*; and FEI Ground Jury members David Schmutz (USA) FEI 4* and Lorraine Stubbs (CAN) FEI 4*. Friday, June 14, begins the FEI Para-Equestrian Team Test competition for Grades Ia-IV, followed by the Individual Test on Saturday and Freestyle Tests on Sunday, June 15. Pressure is on for Para-Dressage athletes looking to attain their qualifying scores for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ located in Normandy, France.

In March, Dressage Daily reported on issues faced by Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA, 501(c)(3)), especially their struggle to replace old, sub-standard footing on nearly 5 acres of arenas.  At the time of the last article, Vermont’s Green Mountains were still covered in snow and the first show was scheduled for early May; the projected cost of the project was $180,000 and there was no money in the bank! Yet, against overwhelming odds, the project got completed on time. This is a heart-warming story of how, when a horse community works together, the extra-ordinary becomes possible. Judy Westlake, a long-time GMHA competitor started the ball rolling.

The public from overseas can now purchase a pass for the event! The preparation for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy has moved up to a whole new level. A very concrete level, with less than 450 days till the main event: the launch of ticket sales to attend the world’s biggest equestrian competition due to be held from 23 August to 7 September 2014. The Organising Committee is now rallying together a network of some ten or so tour operators across the world. For the first phase, they’re offering packages comprising Passes, transport and accommodation. In November 2013, the ticket office will be open to the general public, still with Pass-related offers and it’s in the spring of 2014 that the simple entry tickets will be accessible, session per session, while stocks last.

Tina Konyot placed second in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special in Achleiten, Austria with scores of 72.021 and 73.3 respectively. Robert Dover who traveled to Austria as the US Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe said, “On their first outing in Europe, Tina Konyot and Calecto V performed a gorgeous Grand Prix, placing second with 72.021%! I could not have been more proud of them and the best is that there are still way more points to be had by this combination. Their movements and expression are world-class and elegant and surely would have been over 74% but for a mistake in the zig-zags which really was just a momentary lapse of concentration.” He continued, “I have not seen Calecto looking more fit or Tina more confident.” As the new Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe, Robert Dover, really is working hard to help the athletes have a fighting chance next year. We are proud of the momentum that Tina and the other athletes have started and we look forward to reporting on this year’s European pursuits.