Florida International Youth Dressage Championships Returns to Wellington

Diana Porsche (AUT), the number one rider on the FEI Youth Dressage World Ranking List-U25, and DiSandro. (Photo: © SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL - The 2017 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships (FIYDC), presented by Sarah Davis, Terri Kane, Gilles Bergeron, The Van Kampen Boyer Molinari Foundation, and Dressage4kids, return to Equestrian Village at The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) from Wednesday, March 15, to Sunday, March 19, as part of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival.

This year, the FIYDC are working in partnership with JustWorld International, and winners will choose JustWorld Programs that will receive a percentage of added prize money. Competition for week 10 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) will also include FEI CDI 4*/3*/1* competition presented by Havensafe Farm, The Dutta Corporation, and CaptiveOne.

The Florida International Youth Dressage Championships feature competition for riders in the Under 25, Young Rider, Junior, and Pony divisions, offering them a chance to compete on a larger scale. Young riders who wish to compete at the international level are provided with an opportunity to showcase their talents at one of the largest dressage competitions in the world. Entry numbers continue to impress each year, and as the sport expands, the number of competing youth also increase. This year boasts an FEI Young Rider class of 15 entries.

The 2016 Overall Florida International Youth Dressage Champion Juan Matute Jr. (ESP) in the presentation ceremony with Terri Kane, Kim Boyer, Jessica Newman and Molly McDougall from JustWorld International, and Sarah Davis. (Photo: © SusanJStickle.com)

Within the FEI divisions offered to riders competing in this season's FIYDC, competition will see a rider in the FEI Pony Rider division, eight riders in the FEI Junior Rider division, 15 entries in the FEI Young Rider division, and five horse and rider pairs in the FEI U-25 division.

Ranked as the Number One rider on the FEI Youth Dressage World Ranking List- U25, 21-year-old Diana Porsche (AUT) will be competing her own Di Sandro, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding (De Niro x Gentina) in the U-25 Rider division. In the FEI Young Rider division, Barbara (Bebe) Davis (USA) will be competing with Fiderhit OLD, a 2008 Oldenburg mare (Fidertanz x Fleur x Sandro Hit) owned by Michael Davis. The 20-year-old will also be competing with Simply Nymphenburg, a 2006 Hanoverian gelding (Sir Donnerhall I x Wendy x Weltmeyer) owned by Michael Davis.

20-year-old Juan Matute Guimon (ESP), has been a strong competitor on the Wellington circuit this season and will be returning to ride this year with Quantico Ymas, a 2006 Hanoverian gelding (Fighting Fit x Hauptstutbuch) owned by Juan F Matute, in the FEI U-25 Rider division.

This is the fifth year that the Florida International Youth Dressage Championships will be hosted by AGDF, and the competition is organized by Equestrian Sport Productions. For more information on the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival and the 2017 Florida International Youth Dressage Championships, please visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.