Welcome Back To White Fences

DRESSAGE DAILY

Welcome Back To White Fences

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Posted by bossmare

Suzanne LaPorte earned her USDF Gold Medal at the Welcome Back to White Fences Show, held March 25-26, a milestone in her career with her horse Wittus. The 13-year-old Danish gelding by Weltloewe has been her longtime partner bringing her from the Young Rider ranks into her new career as a fledgling professional. And no doubt, LaPorte will always remember the time and the place, at White Fences where she achieved her goal, on a horse she has trained to get there.

Once again special moments and memories are being created at the birthplace of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, and Dressage in Florida. Over thirty years later, the current owner of White Fences, Ingred Pollak, opened the gates for a two show series at her newly renovated equestrian center, located in the peaceful Dressage Community in Loxahatchee. “There are many wonderful memories returning her.” said Barbara Marks, technical delegate for the weekend, and Wellington resident. “All weekend I have been hearing stories from people who fond memories showing here throughout the years: their first Prix St George in this arena, or the time the automatic sprinklers went on just as Judy Streisand was beginning her test.”

An intimate show, with a limit of eight entries per class, breakfast and lunch with homemade brownies and sandwiches, served at no charge, drew entries from the neighboring farms, where many competitors were able to hack over, and compete in the USDF recognized event. Show secretary Bridget Rogers, and DressageDaily sponsored a competitor’s party Saturday afternoon, following the final ride, which ended at the civilized hour of 4:30 PM.

Trainers Bill Warren, and Bill McMullin, Michael Barisone, Susanne van Cuyk, Patrick Burssens, Sue Jaccoma, and others brought their students who have been training with them all winter to compete in the friendly quiet atmosphere, under the first rate judging of Betsy Berrey and Tom Poulin who replaced Joan Humphries, currently recovering from an auto accident.

Pollak and her dedicated crew headed up by Marciel Guerrero, had the show grounds prepared and decorated as if for a world class event. An international array of flags located by the outer fences, provided a festive background without being so close to the arenas as to distract the horses, some of whom were entering into their first show. The beautiful arenas decorated with flowers, are surrounded by the tropical flora and fauna which survived Hurricane Wilma’s wrath that had leveled one of the barns last September. The crew, worked tirelessly improving the grounds, and was on hand throughout the weekend maintaining the arenas.

Welcome Back To White Fences – New Milestones, Old Memories

Good Rides Earned High Scores

Starting off the day and winning his first ever training level ride with John Zopatti in the irons, Granger, the four year old Oldenburg gelding by Goldfuerst, had a good go, and scoring a 69.091%. Ruth Cardwell who trains next door with Bill Warren, hacked over from their barn to win the high point for the weekend at Training level with a 74.846% on her mount Westyn . Her trainer Bill Warren scored the highest percentage at second level on Brighella with a 69.608%.

Kayce Redmond on Cognac V riding for Elaine McAllister, topped the First level scores, while her long time trainer, Karen Lipp won Third level High Score with Lori Bell’s Cooper V.

Other standout rides were Ben Liles, on Tina Konyot ’s Justice, nailing a 70.233 at Fourth Level. Jennifer Huber Stanton and her own Nantano M was the Intermediaire High Score winner with a 68.250. There was a tie for first place at Intermediaire II between Gail Kapiloff and Comtesso at 63.415%, and another tie at Grand Prix with Danish rider Mikala Gundersen and Pinocchio VI, and Suzanne LaPorte and Wittus at 62.708.

Welcome Back To White Fences – New Milestones, Old Memories

Ingred Pollak and Que Ba HM High Score Prix St George

In between making sure all was in order, Pollak who imports Lucitano horses from Brazil she trains at her facility had a busy weekend showing her own horses, and earning the weekend’s high score for Prix St George with her own Que Ba HM. The attractive pair executed the test demonstrating strong extentions, and clearly defined half passes, with easy changes to top a field of 26 entries in the combined Prix St Georges classes.