April 2012

From left to right, Krystalann Shingler, Michele Hundt, and Shannon Dueck at the ShowChic Shop Talk.

Wellington, FL - ShowChic, a premier dressage fashion boutique, recently hosted international dressage rider Shannon Dueck during the April 10th ShopTalk, where the top rider discussed everything from her beginnings in Pony Club to her time spent in training with Carl Hester. ShowChic holds the monthly Shop Talks to gather together the dressage community during informative social events. Guests also left with great prizes like gift certificates to ShowChic and products from Vita Flex’s line of equestrian supplements.

Evi Strasser and Renaissance Tyme at the Global Dressage Festival (Photo: SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL - Olympian Evi Strasser of Canada was the final rider of the WEF Wellington Dressage National Show on Sunday, the final event of the 2012 inaugural Global Dressage Festival (GDF). Strasser was one of the first riders to enter the arena at the GDF Stadium show grounds competing at the first show in February. "We have been here since the beginning.  We were one of the first ones here," said Strasser. "The Global Dressage Festival is amazing. We really think it is an asset for our sport to have this venue. Lloyd (Landkamer) and his crew have really done a fantastic job all season." Strasser rode Renaissance Tyme, her nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding, by Royal Diamond. She has had him since he was four-years-old and has been in training with Robert Dover and Lars Petersen. The pair competed in the FEI Test of Choice for their final test at the GDF, earning a respectable score of 67.234%.  "I am very, very happy with our ride today. We had a few minor bobbles because he is green, but they are easy to fix," said Strasser.

WEF Wellington Dressage Nations Cup Awards Ceremony (Photo: SusanJStickle)

Wellington, FL - Team USA 1 bested the five teams battling for top honors in the $35,000 WEF Wellington Dressage Nations Cup CDIO-3*, presented by Stillpoint Farm, on Saturday evening. Team Europe took home the silver and Team USA 2 captured the bronze in an exciting FEI Intermediare Freestyle competition held under the lights at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival.  Christopher Hickey and Witness Hilltop led Team USA 1 with a score of 71.425%, Caroline Roffman on Pie scored 70.050%; Shelly Francis with Doktor garnered 68.650% and Devon Kane riding Destiny earned 67.525% for a total of 210.125 points. Hickey enjoyed the whole Nations Cup experience.

Devon Heir standing at DG Bar Ranch in Hanford, CA (Photo: Cally Matherly )

This week's featured stallion is Devon Heir standing at DG Bar Ranch in Hanford, CA. Devon Heir is a gorgeous, imported 11-year-old Hanoverian stallion with impeccable bloodlines! High scoring Hanoverian at his 100 day Test in 2004, and winner of the American Hanoverian Society Licensing, West Coast. Winner of multiple in-hand and under saddle classes. In 2005, he was the USDF/Cosequin Series West Coast Champion Mature Stallion and he tied for the USDF/Cosequin HOY for 2nd place Nationally. He continued his winning ways in 2006 earning the USDF Breeders Championship Grand Champion Stallion Nationwide. In 2009, Devon Heir won nearly every class he entered with scores in the 70's, and he was Grand Champion Fourth level horse at Pebble Beach under rider/trainer, Willy Arts.