Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (Terri Miller)

Del Mar, Calif. – As 2016 Olympic Games qualifying kicks into high gear, the West Coast will see its largest field of international Grand Prix competitors of the year to date as 17 horse/rider combinations square off during this week’s California Dreaming Productions’ Dressage Affaire CDI3*/Y/J/U-25, being held March 10-13 at the Del Mar Horse Park.  As the competition heats up, once again dressage fans from around the world will be able to keep up with all of the action via California Dreaming Productions’ popular live streaming video service, CDP Live, including the return of expert commentary by FEI 5* (ret) judge Axel Steiner (click HERE to watch!).

Currently ranked as the #6 dressage rider in the world, Olympian Steffen Peters of San Diego looks to further cement his position as a member of this year’s U.S. Team for Rio de Janeiro as he brings his veteran partner Legolas 92 to Del Mar for the CDI Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle. But in order to return to the winner’s circle, Peters will have to contend with the experience and talent of two fellow Olympians: Guenter Seidel with new star Zero Gravity, who punched his ticket to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Finals with a big CDI-W freestyle win just two weeks ago; and Jan Ebeling, aboard the impressive Hanoverian stallion FRH Rassolini. Also joining the field will be former FEI World Equestrian Games bronze medalist Kathleen Raine presenting Zuperman for the gelding’s international competition debut, as well as Michelle Reilly with Umeeko and Anna Buffini aboard Sundayboy, who both scored CDI large tour victories during last month’s Mid-Winter Dressage CDI-W in Burbank.

This year’s Dressage Affaire CDI marks the return of the international portion of the show after a two-year absence, and organizer Glenda McElroy is excited to see the competition return to its elite status, now as part of the successful California Dreaming Productions (CDP) series of showcase dressage events. “As we looked to expand the CDP circuit this year, we were particularly interested in adding the Dressage Affaire for two reasons: one, we really wanted to revive this wonderful CDI; and secondly, we wanted to embrace this opportunity to grow into the Del Mar area because we have so much support from competitors there,” McElroy explained. “It’s been several years since I organized a show at the Del Mar Horse Park, and there have been a number of improvements made including enlargement of the covered arena. I’m excited to go back and we’re all looking forward to a wonderful show.”

Thanks to the generous support of sponsors including SmartPak, Kastel Denmark, Shapley’s Horse Products, Professional’s Choice, Dressage Training Online, Clear Spring Farm, and Lisa Seger Insurance, the Dressage Affaire is not only an international qualifying competition for the U.S. Olympic Team, USEF Festival of Champions, and the FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, but national show exhibitors will also compete for valuable qualifying scores towards a multitude of national awards and championship programs, including 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 the Dressage Affaire CDI3*/Y/J/U-25, visit www.californiadreamingproductions.com or visit us on Facebook. Don’t miss your chance to watch America’s top dressage riders LIVE, including Axel Steiner’s expert commentary and behind-the-scenes interviews sponsored by Lisa Seger Insurance. Signing up for CDP Live is easy – no special PayPal accounts are needed as fans simply need a credit card number. Season Pass holders are encouraged to sign up at any time, while Day Pass or Two-Day Pass viewers should activate their subscription on the morning of the competition day they intend to watch (live stream access begins at actual time of purchase). For more information, visit http://californiadreamingproductions.com/?page_id=455.