Sabine Schut-Kery and her PRE (Pura Raza Espanola) Marques XXXVI she co-owns with Rhea Scott got the spring season off with a grand slam at the Del Mar National Dressage Show (April 26-29) dominating the FEI Division in the National show winning all three Prix St Georges classes. With up to 25 horses in each class, Schut-Kery and the 9-year-old stallion earned not only some of the highest scores on record for a PRE at that level but also for the show winning the High Point Award. Scoring a 70.7, 75, and 79.2% they impressed different judges in each class, including Stephen Clarke. “Every rider's dream is to have one time that special horse that is able to do the job with ease and good quality, “ said Sabine. “I consider myself blessed to have two amazing stallions, Marques and Alice Womble-Heitman's Sanceo .” After their big weekend, the California Santa Ana Winds kicked up devastating fires threatening many homes, farms and horses in their region. Sabine and her husband went into rescue mode evacuating all the horses.

The Swedish chef d'equipe Bo Jena put his arms in the air in front of the Swedish flag. He had all reasons to do so. Both Patrik Kittel (77,350%) and Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (80,525%) had just finished on the in the 60.000 Euro Exquis Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Axel Johnson Group. Second place was taken by Isabell Werth and Don Johnson (80,125%). 'During the warm-up I had prepared Don Auriello so that he would be fresh and active in the competition arena. It paid off, but I was really riding him on the edge. He had so much power I was afraid I would lose him', Tinne said in the press conference. 'Tinne and Don Auriello did a super job', Katrina Wüst (judge at C) said. 'The combination is so harmonious. Isabell's freestyle has a slightly higher degree of difficulty and that is why I had her placed on the number 1 position'. Asked for his review of the freestyle, Patrik Kittel said he was very happy that contrary to the GP they had only a few mistakes.
 
WDM Jiva Hill Youth Challenge 2013

Wellington, FL – Two talented Lusitanos represented the breed and brought the flair of the Portuguese to the dressage arena during the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, where the top dressage horses in the nation compete during the winter season. Balder, ridden by owner Lesley Maxwell, and Versatil Imagem, ridden by Matt McLaughlin, were awarded the High Score Lusitano Award for performances at the GDF 5* CDI and WEF Dressage Classic CDI-3*. Patience and training paid off for dressage trainer Matt McLaughlin, who rode his 11-year-old Lusitano gelding, Versatil Imagem, to a score a 63% in USEF Fourth Level test during the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival 5* show.  Versatil’s score topped all other Lusitanos at the show, and McLaughlin was very proud of his beautiful grey horse. He explained that Versatil was pushed very hard as a youngster, before McLaughlin owned him, so being recognized with this award was quite special.

Munich – Austrian Victoria Max-Theurer was a sovereign winner in today's Horsebox Austria Grand Prix Special presented by Fürst Fugger Privatbank. The 28 year old Olympian bought the 11 year old mare Blind Date this spring from the former coach of Isabell Werth, mister Wolfram Wittig. After the Grand Prix Vici decided to start in the special although she was qualified to go into the kur. The decision paid off big time.There was a 3% difference between her and runner up Concalo Carvalho riding for Portugal. He and his stallion Rubi did a good job and finished in 71.417%. The combination gave a much better impression than in yesterdays NÜRNBERGER Grand Prix. Weather conditions improved somewhat overnight. Mild rain didn't keep the people in Munich from watching the exciting battle between some of the world's best riders. It was a tight battle, Lisbeth Seierskilde and Dorothee Schneider were only 1/1000 % apart in this 25.000 EURO class.