FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jennifer Wood for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Wellington, FL - March 21, 2010 - The WEF Dressage Classic concluded yesterday with classes for dressage riders in the International Arena. The main class in the morning was the FEI Grand Prix Special, CDI 3*. Denmark's Lars Petersen, who resides in Wellington, FL, won the class on Beemer, owned by Global Dressage Sales LLC, with a score of 70.750%. Shawna Harding (USA) and her own Come On III were second thanks to their score of 69.625%, while Mikala Munter Gundersen (DEN) and Leonberg, owned by Horses Unlimited Inc. and Cesar Parra, were third with 69.417%.
The tenth week of the FTI WEF is sponsored by Equine Couture/TuffRider and runs through Sunday, March 21. The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of competition that conclude on April 4, 2010, and they will be awarding almost $6 million in prize money through the circuit.
The WEF Dressage Classic CDI 3* dressage competition was the highlight in the International Arena this week. The FTI Great Charity Challenge, a pro/am relay competing for a targeted $500,000 in money to be distributed to 24 Palm Beach county charities, is on Saturday, March 20, with festivities starting at 6 p.m. The $75,000 Equine Couture/TuffRider Grand Prix, CSI 2*, is on Sunday, March 21. It is scheduled, weather-pending, to be held at The Stadium at 3 p.m.
Petersen and Beemer, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Laudatio xx Aldatus, have been paired for almost two years, but Petersen has known the horse for longer when he helped his previous rider. Beemer started out in the Prix St. Georges level and has moved up to the Grand Prix level with Petersen.
This is only their sixth Grand Prix level competition together, and they added Saturday's win to Thursday's third place finish in the Grand Prix. "He's pretty new at it," Petersen confirmed. "Overall I'm very happy with him. He was as good as he could be in both tests."
While Beemer is learning, Petersen feels that he has the talent to keep improving. "There's still move development in the horse," he explained. "His piaffe and passage are and will be very special. Right now his flying changes, half pass, and extended gaits are extraordinary."
Petersen has worked with Beemer, who he described as a "very big horse and a big, big mover." Today's win was a milestone in their partnership. "It meant a lot to win," Petersen expressed, "because it has been difficult and because he's so big, it's been a little struggle. Now it's coming together, and the judges like him. It's a pretty big deal for me (to win here)."
The WEF Dressage Classic has concluded, and the tenth week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival finishes competition today. For more information, please visitwww.equestriansport.com.
