The Gold Coast Dressage Association’s May Dressage Show Out Shines The Rain

Chris Von Martels and Belissimo splash their way to victory in the Grand Prix. (Photo: Joanna Jodko Photography)

Wellington, FL - Rainy days don't get in the way of the Gold Coast Dressage Associations show committee and competitors. The group has been running dressage shows in Wellington, Florida, for more than 35 years. In fact, the Gold Coast Dressage Association, together with the Wellington Classic Dressage winter season shows were the inspiration for the development of the now legendary 12-week Global Dressage Festival, hosted in Wellington each winter. With so much knowledge behind them it’s no wonder the Gold Coast Dressage Association May Show on May 19-20 held at the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex, was another successful weekend of competition.

This show featured two international 4* judges, Marian Cunningham, and Claudia Mesquita, and USDF “S” judge Sandi Chohany. Chohany celebrated her birthday during the show, and the show staff got together to celebrate after the day’s work was finished. With over 106 entries and 184 rides it comes as no surprise that big names such as Adrienne Lyle, Kelly Lane, Marco Bernal, Nicholas Fyffe, Chris Von Martles, Shannon Dueck and Para Equestrian superstars Roxanne Trunnell, Rebecca Hart, Kate Shoemaker, and Eleanor Brimmer came to support the show. The highest score ride of the show came from Shoemaker aboard Solitaer 40 riding in the Para Equestrian IV Individual Test, scoring a 76.829%.

Dancing their way to a win in the Grand Prix Freestyle, Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love. (Photo: Joanna Jodko Photography)

 

Noreen O’Sullivan is the busy president of the Gold Coast Dressage Association and manager of the May Dressage show. “We have a really action-packed show, with several FEI riders coming here looking to qualify for the upcoming Central American games. GCDA Secretary Amy Swerdlin & the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex staff have done a fantastic job as our host facility, with excellent footing, a covered arena, an updated sound system for top notch freestyles and permanent stabling it makes for fun, friendly shows year round”. O’Sullivan says the Gold Coast Dressage Association also organizes educational events. “We are going to be doing a USDF educational session in July.” To check out the shows results, or see what’s coming up follow this link.

Janne Rumbough “Wellington’s First Lady of Dressage” aboard Armas Zumbel in the Grand Prix Freestyle. (Photo: Joanna Jodko Photography)

The Gold Coast Dressage Association enjoys support from its many members and sponsors including Diamante Farms, Palm Beach Equine Clinic and Sports Complex, Custom Saddlery, MDC Stirrups, TheraPlate - the official therapy plate of US Equestrian, Florida Community Bank, Finish Line Products, Noreen O’Sullivan’s Prudential Advisors, John McGinty Financial Partners, Mary Phelps of Markel Insurance, JRPR Public Relations Equine News Room and Triple Crown Nutrition, the official feed sponsor of the US show jumping, eventing and dressage teams.

The Gold Coast Dressage Association’s purpose is to organize and operate educational activities and to foster local and national amateur dressage competition. The Gold Coast Dressage Association continues to educate and promote good sportsmanship and high ethical and moral standards in horsemanship and the equestrian sports. To find out more about the Gold Coast Dressage Association go to http://www.gcdafl.org.