The $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W and National Show Gets Underway at 2012 Global Dressage Festival

President of the ground jury Linda Zang passed all 47 CDI horses presented at the Global Dressage Festival including Pan American Games Team Gold and Individual medalist Heather Blitz and Paragon. (Photo: Mary Phelps - phelpsphotos.com)

Presented by the United States P.R.E. Association
Wellington, FL- The second event of the 2012 Global Dressage Festival (GDF), the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, presented by the United States P.R.E. Association, and National Show took place on Thursday with six levels of competition at the Stadium of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). With the finishing touches nearing completion on the Van Kampen Arena in the background the jog for the $50,000 Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W took place and was a complete success with 47 entries passing the veterinary inspection. The stately palms surrounded the area where the jog was held, as the international flags of the multiple countries represented waved in the perfect tropical 80 degree Florida day. President of the ground jury, Linda Zang (USA) commented, "The jog went very well and all the horses passed. I am very happy with the way it went."

Multi lingual announcer Nicho Meredith back in Florida to announce the Global Dressage Festival series. (Photo: Mary Phelps - phelpsphotos.com)

Multi lingual announcer Nicho Meredith added to the international flair flowing from the language of each rider representing their country as he introduced them and their horses to the ground jury. The vendor village was set for shopping featuring Global Dressage Festival gear. The two permanent brand new barns were filled to capacity, and just a short distance form all competition arenas.

This is an exciting time for Dressage in Florida as the sport has grown to the level where it now supports a full time schedule of shows throughout the Florida season, just as the jumper world is served.
 
Christopher Hickey had the high score of the day on Balissa HTF with a 77.500% in the USEF First Level Test II - Open class. Ilse Schwarz of Australia had the second highest score of the day and took home two blue ribbons winning the USEF First Level Test I -Open on Don Joseph with 73.793% and the FEI Intermediare II-Open on Cadenza with a score of 67.500%. John Amber also won two classes taking the FEI Prix St. George-Open on Shakespeare RSF with a 63.882% and the USEF Training Level 3 - Open on World Games TFH scoring 64.800%. The third double winner went to Laurie Moore winning the USEF Second Level Test I -Open scoring 68.500% on Rolero. The pair improved on their win in the USEF Second Level Test II scoring 73.158%.