Woodstock, Vermont- Elisabeth Austin and her US bred stallion, Olivier (Idocus x Rowillie), continued their winning ways this weekend, earning a first place in the Grand Prix division of the Green Mountain Dressage Association's June show with a remarkable 74.7%.  "This is my favorite show and I just couldn't believe it when I saw our score, I did a double take!  He is staying with me 100% now and trying so hard in everything I just couldn't be happier.  He is truly happy to be working for me in there and I still can't believe I get to ride a horse like him.  This is the second show in a row that we've won the FEI high-score award, the last being for our win at Dressage at Equestrian Estates with a 72% in April."

Austin credits Michael Barisone for much of her recent success, "Michael helped Fizzy and me so much in Florida.  We would trail ride over to his farm a few times a week for lessons and he came with me to the shows.  This was my first show without him so before my test I went through a checklist in my head of all the things I needed to remember.  I think he would have been quite pleased with our effort!"

Austin, 25, is busily balancing her newly established business, Liz Austin Dressage and finishing college at the University of Vermont.  "I started at UVM in 2002 but took time off to train and compete in Florida.  I always knew I wanted to go back and finish, and this is the year for me to do it.  It is so important to get an education, even if you know with all your heart you want to be a professional in the horse world."

Austin says she hopes to compete in the August and September CDIs at Saugerties but says she won't make the trip to Devon this year because of school.  "I will already be missing a week for the NEDA CDI, so Devon just isn't feasible.  Once I finish the semester in December I will head to Florida and compete in some of the CDIs down there, thanks to the support of a new sponsor, Renee Isler.  Renee approached me about sponsorship after I donated a free clinic, three days of training/board and a breeding to Olivier for her silent auction benefiting Junior and Young Riders.  As soon as I saw the program I jumped at the chance to offer items for the silent auction.  Giving back to a community that has been so infulential in my life is incredible important to me.  We have similar beliefs when it comes to developing younger riders and I'm looking forward to working with Renee in the future."

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