Steffen Peters (shown here on Rosamunde) will be one of the West Coast Grand Prix Riders competing this weekend at California Dreamming Production's LA Winter Dressage CDI-W. (Jennifer M. Keeler)

Burbank, Calif. – With the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro fast approaching, the West Coast's top dressage prospects are getting a head start on qualifying for the U.S. Team during this week’s Los Angeles Winter Dressage CDI-W/Y/J/U-25, being held January 28-31 in Burbank, Calif.

“Due to demand from riders for another West Coast CDI in this tremendously important year as well as the need for an additional World Cup qualifying event on this coast, we decided to upgrade this January show to an FEI event,” said Glenda McElroy, co-organizer of California Dreaming Productions with David and Alisa Wilson. “The whole reason we host this series is for the good of the sport, so we’re glad to be able to help competitors achieve their goals and are delighted with the response we’ve received. It’s a great way to start what we anticipate will be a very exciting season here in California.”

Former Olympic teammates Steffen Peters and Guenter Seidel headline the CDI Grand Prix field at LA Winter Dressage as they are both looking for a hopeful return to the U.S. Dressage Team this summer. Peters will compete with his 2015 Pan American Games Gold Medal-winning mount Legolas 92 as well as young phenom Rosamunde, while Seidel will present rising star Zero Gravity to the international ground jury which includes Lilo Fore (5* USA), Cara Whitham (5* CAN), Gabriel Armando (4* ARG), Bo Jenna (4* SWE), and Sandy Hotz (4* USA). Both Peters and Seidel are making their 2016 debuts after competing at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions in Florida in December, and now look forward to kicking off the new show season in their home state of California. “I’ve ridden around the world and there’s no doubt there are some incredible places to show," said Peters. "But we’ve competed at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center for many years, and there are so many wonderful memories here. It's a special place and it’s nice to be close to home."

Thanks to the hard-working staff of the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, a multitude of improvements will welcome competitors back to the facility for the New Year. No matter what kind of weather El Niño brings to the West Coast, CDI competitors will enjoy perfect conditions in the covered Equidome (which was outfitted with brand new GGT footing in November), as well as a completely remodeled horse show office and patio seating areas to enjoy California Dreaming Productions’ renowned hospitality. Series organizers also welcome major show supporters Kastel Denmark, Shapley Horse Products, and Lisa Seger Insurance, as well as an exciting new partnership with SmartPak. The California Dressage Society (CDS) returns as a media partner, and LA Saddlery will once again present “Best Dressed” awards in Burbank.

In addition to being an Olympic Games and Reem Acra/FEI World Cup Dressage Final qualifying competition, the LA Winter Dressage CDI and open show is an official qualifier for a multitude of national awards and championship programs, including the USEF Festival of Champions; the Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC); the Markel/USEF National Young & Developing Horse Dressage Championships; the National Dressage Pony Cup (NDPC); USDF year-end awards and regional championships; and California Dressage Society (CDS) Horse of the Year awards and annual championship show.

Don’t miss any of the excitement! To learn more about LA Winter Dressage CDI-W/Y/J/U-25, visit www.californiadreamingproductions.com or visit us on Facebook.