World Dressage Masters: Exclusive Interviews with Dressage Stars Patrik Kittel and Silvia Rizzo

Source: News Release/Sue Weakley for PMG Inc.

Exclusive Interviews with Dressage Stars
Patrik Kittel and Silvia Rizzo

Wellington, FL-International dressage competitors Patrik Kittel and Silvia Rizzo arrived at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center with their horses and set to work schooling Wednesday for the Gold Coast Opener CDIW and World Dressage Masters (WDM) CDI5* Palm Beach.

Sweden's Patrik Kittel, fresh off a 9 a.m. flight, was eager to conquer jet lag as he and Watermill Scandic, a KWPN-approved stallion, schooled tempis, half-pass, piaffe and passage. The duo are ranked No. 2 in Sweden and No. 11 in the world and will compete in the Gold Coast Opener World Cup Qualifier and again at the World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach presented by Wellington Classic Dressage Jan. 24-26, also at Jim Brandon.

Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic

Kittel was pleased to be in sunny Florida after leaving snowy Germany behind and his wife will join him Jan. 22 for the WDM. "I've always been a big fan of World Dressage Masters," he said. "I think it's a great series for dressage riders with very prestigious money."

Kittel hasn't been to Florida since he was youngster visiting Disney World, but settled into the atmosphere at Jim Brandon quickly. "Everything is really great," he continued. "It's a super hotel, great weather and great boxes for the horses."

Watermill Scandic, called Scandie Man by Kittel, adjusted well to the change in weather and Kittel said he's a pro at traveling. Scandie Man and his rider rode for Sweden in the 2012 London Olympics and Kittel and another Olympic mount, Floresco, placed fourth in team competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Another international superstar, Italy's bubbly Silvia Rizzo, also schooled at Jim Brandon Wednesday morning in preparation for the Gold Coast Opener CDIW as well as the World Dressage Masters CDI5*.

Silvia Rizzo and Donnerbube II

Rizzo and Donnerbube II, an Oldenburg stallion affectionately called Bubi, worked hard at extensions and canter pirouettes, but it was the horse's rhythmic passage that was the showstopper. They seem unaffected by the crews grooming the nearby arenas and made a striking pair: Rizzo, with her long, platinum hair and Donnerbube with his sleek, dark bay coat.

Rizzo says she keeps the horse fit with gallops at a racetrack, hill work, daily hacks and arena work. The powerful stallion seemed to revel in their hand gallop cardio work-out and was ready for more. "He's like a bomb," she laughed. "When he decides to do something, he's the boss," Rizzo said. She added that the horse loves his work, but doesn't like the music to their kür and prefers the Grand Prix Special. She and Donnerbube will also compete in the World Dressage Masters CDI5* and they'll stay in Florida until early February for the Wellington Classic Spring Challenge CDI3* at Jim Brandon.

Tickets are still available to see the spectacular line-up in store for the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach January 24-26, 2013.

For more Wellington Classic Dressage/World Dressage Masters show information, log on to: http://www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com.

For more Gold Coast Dressage Show information, log onto http://www.gcdafl.org/shows-reslts.htm.

Silvia Rizzo and Donnerbube II

World Dressage Masters

Palm Beach CDI5* Fast Facts

What: North America's only World Dressage Masters event, part of the richest dressage series in the world. Up to 20 of the world's top dressage stars will compete for €100,000 EUR (about $130,000 USD) in prize money at the WDM Palm Beach.

When:

January 23-27, 2013

Where:

Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center

Okeeheelee Park South

7500 Forest Hill Blvd,
West Palm Beach, FL 33413
Official Show Organizer:

Wellington Classic Dressage

www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com

Noreen O'Sullivan 561-227-1570 or John Flanagan 561-714-9058

Ticket sales and information:

www.internationalpoloclub.com

Maria Feola: 561-282-5334 and 561-282-5301

mfeola@internationalpoloclub.com or Debbie@internationalpoloclub.