Wellington, FL- At the first rated dressage show of the 2007 season, dressage trainer, John Zopatti and his team of dressage riders called the “Team-Z”, proved they are still a formidable force by winning the Team Competition at the Gold Coast Dressage Association( GCDA) Fall Fling Show hosted November 11-12th at The Jim Brandon Palm Beach Equestrian Center.

Four Team-Z riders participated in the show and their wins earned them the top spot in the show’s team competition and the blue team neck ribbons. Zopatti himself lead the team’s winning streak with a score of 76.538% in training level test two aboard Carol Cohen’s lovely mare, Sam’t und Siede. Next in the winner’s circle was Cohen’s 10-year-old daughter, Rebecca riding her lovely pony mare, Dornroschen, to first place in the first level test one with a 66.667%.

Next Zopatti student, Amanda Stearns, proved she could keep pace with Zopatti. Riding Rebecca Cohen’s pony Kassius, Stearns matched Zopatti’s score of 76.538% to win the training level test four class.

Completing the Team-Z victory was Kristy Lund. Lund showed her gelding, Fabio to a first place finish in the Prix St. Georges with a score of 64.750%.

“We are a team-oriented group,” said Zopatti, “So we really thrive in team competitions where each rider has a chance to contribute”.

Meanwhile Zopatti’s partner Olympian, Bent Jensen also had a great show. Jensen won the fourth level tests one and two with scores of 66.047% and 65.581% aboard Robinson. Jensen also won the FEI Grand Prix on Liberty Light with a score of 67.917%, with Regional Grand Prix Champions, Tracey Winter and Martailo taking second place. In the Grand Prix Special, the placing switched with Winters capturing the first place and Jensen finishing second by a fraction of a point!

Photo: The victorious Team Z at the GCDA Fall Fling from L to R: John Zopatti, Kristy Lund, Amanda Stearns and Rebecca Cohen ( Stearns photo)