Korea’s Dong Seon Kim Wins PanaCavallo Style Award At Wellington Dressage Sunshine Classic CDI And Rides Into History

Korean Grand Prix rider Dong Seon Kim won the PanaCavallo Style Award at the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI. Kim’s third place in the Grand Prix Special, aboard Bukowski, was the highest placing a Korean has ever earned in an international competition.

Wellington, FL (February 7, 2012) – Korean Grand Prix rider Dong Seon Kim rode into history during the Wellington Dressage Sunshine Classic, placing third in the Grand Prix Special – the highest placing ever by a Korean in an international competition. Kim made his historic ride in style, also winning the PanaCavallo Style Award while making his country proud. The Style Award is sponsored by PanaCavallo, the makers of saddles, bridles and leather goods, in partnership with Cavalleria Toscana, an elegant line of Italian equestrian clothing. Kim, 22, competed Bukowski, a Swedish Warmblood, during the Wellington Dressage Sunshine Classic, run in conjunction with the World Dressage Masters. Kim also placed fifth in the Grand Prix at the Sunshine Classic and earlier in the month earned a fourth place in the Gold Coast Dressage Opener. Kim has been in the dressage spotlight for many years, and won a Gold Medal in the team dressage at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. In 2010 at the Gwangzhou Asian Games, Kim scored a 65.022% at the International Federation for Equestrian Sports Grand Prix.

Dressed in a dark jacket, white shirt, white gloves and light blue tie, Kim looked stylish as he took part in the show held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. “Dong Seon is a very sharp dresser and we were honored to award him with the PanaCavallo Style Award,” said Michael Davis, owner of PanaCavallo. “It was exciting to present him with a beautiful black saddle pad from PanaCavallo, but even more exciting to learn that his third place in the Grand Prix Special was the highest placing a rider from Korea has ever earned in an international competition. I know he was very excited and can only imagine how excited his country must be.”

Davis added, “When presenting the Style Award we are searching for the best in style and also riders on the cutting edge of fashion. Dong Seon looked great and we are pleased to add him to our list of Style Award winners.”

Davis said that the merging of PanaCavallo and Cavalleria Toscana has resulted in two fashionable companies that have the ability to offer dressage riders the best in style and equipment. “Our two companies are a perfect merger as PanaCavallo presents a fantastic line of bridles, girths and training equipment for the horse and Cavalleria Toscana combines technology with design to offer a collection of the finest Italian fashions for the rider,” Davis said.

The PanaCavallo booth at the show grounds offers shoppers exciting lines and products, including a new line of PanaCavallo bridles. The bridles come in four styles and offer superb quality and workmanship that enhances the comfort of the horse. “The entire PanaCavallo line is fantastic and really is some of the most cost effective dressage equipment on the market,” Davis said. ““As riders we want to keep our horses and ourselves outfitted in the finest tack available, but do it without breaking the bank. Stop by and visit us at the show grounds and let us show you what we have to offer.”

To learn more about PanaCavallo and Cavalleria Toscana, visit their websites at www.panacavallo.com and www.cavalleriatoscana.it.