The 2003 Sidelines Equestrian Triathlon drew 1,500 professionals, amateurs, fans, and grooms to the Outback Polo Field in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the March 10 event. Four teams of three riders each, all from different disciplines, participated in a three-phase competition. In the Dressage Phase, jumper riders and polo players rode a Second Level dressage test to music; in the Jumper Phase, dressage riders and polo players jumped a Gambler’s Choice course; and in the final phase, each team played two chukkers of polo in which the polo player could pass but not score.

The team accumulating the most points for all three phases was Polo Gear, winning the Gold Medal for the 2003 Sidelines Equestrian Triathlon. A tie for second place was decided by a toss of the coin, giving the Outback Team the Silver Medal and the Sidelines Team the Bronze Medal. The Dutta Corporation Team won the Pewter Medal.

Awards were also presented for Most Valuable Players and Best Horses.Presiding at the event were Lorraine Stubbs and Bill Warren, Dressage Phase Judges; Dr. Cesar Parra, “Best Dressage Horse” Judge; Marsh Kulak, Best Jumper Judge; and Tommy Wayman, Best Polo Pony Judge. The MVP awards were determined by the team chef d’equipes.

Most Valuable PlayersReceiving the Most Valuable Player Awards were Ruth Hogan-Poulsen (who helped everybody with their music and dressage phase); Adam Snow (for his determination to practice dressage faithfully and be good at it!); and Jimmy Torano (for being such a good sport and agreeing to compete at the last moment!). The MVPs were awarded custom Sidelines Triathlon saddle pads by Seashore Acres.

Best HorsesReceiving the “Best Horse” awards for their disciplines were: GabrielCrespo’s polo pony, Raba; Jimmy Torano’s jumper, Lexus. Ashley Holzer’sImperioso and Ruth Hogan-Poulsen’s Hektor (dressage horses) shared the win. All the Best Horses received 12X12 stall mattresses from Soft Stall and a pair of Equifit Self Molding open front boots.

Gifts For AllAll the ponies received a bag of Mint-A-Muffins from Donna Zimmer and Sherry Nelson. The jumper and dressage riders received custom-made Sidelines Triathlon mallets by Nano.

Results Of The 2003 Sidelines Equestrian Triathlon**There was a tie for second place, and a coin toss determined the Silver and Bronze Medals

GOLD MEDALPolo GearDressage: Ruth Hogan-PoulsenJumper: Jimmy ToranoPolo: Mike Azzaro

SILVER MEDALOutbackDressage: Ashley HolzerJumper: Todd MinikusPolo: Bautista Heguy

BRONZE MEDALSidelinesDressage: Bent JensenJumper: Nona GarsonPolo: Felix Anzoreguy

PEWTER MEDALThe Dutta CorporationDressage: Lynda AlickiJumper: Candice KingPolo: Adam Snow

Related LinksSidelines: 2003 Marks Success For Third Annual Event Bent Jensen Rides for the USA for the First Time at the 2002 ABIC/USDF Region 3 Finals Bent Jensen and Anne Kursinski Win the $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Jumper Spectacular Again! Who’s Who: Ruth Hogan Poulsen