Winner’s of the 2008 Markel Amateur Winter Dressage Championships presented by The Paddock Saddlery were notified this week. The Markel Amateur Winter Dressage Championships recognizes leading amateur’s accomplishments over the winter show season in South Florida. The 2008 awards ceremony will be a virtual presentation. Photographs of winners with their awards will be viewable on The Paddock Saddlery’s website, www.paddocksaddlery.com.
The idea for an amateur championship was the brainchild of Shirley Johnson, who owned and operated the popular fashion and dressage boutique A’Dashi. Johnson watched as many amateurs had beautiful rides in competition, but their scores did not earn them top placing against the prevailing professionals. Last year’s merger of A’Dashi and The Paddock Saddlery sparked the revival of the championship. Markel Insurance rejoined as a sponsor for the championship, continuing in the company’s longstanding tradition of supporting the sport of dressage.
Each 2008 level champion and winner of the coach’s award will receive a beautiful cooler donated by Farnam’s Platform® Feed. Gift certificates to The Paddock Saddlery will be awarded to the Champion and Reserve riders at each level. The beautiful bronze perpetual trophy, provided by Weiss Family Chiropractic Center for the overall high score award winner, will be passed to Jennifer Huber for 2008. Weiss Family Chiropractic Center also donated beautiful ribbons for all winning riders. World Equestrian Brands, distributors of Amerigo, Vespucci, Mattes, Classic Equine, and Teque-Style, also provided additional prizes for the third to eighth placed riders.
The overall high score winner for 2008 was Jennifer Huber and her horse Vito. The pair scored a 74.418%. Additionally, as the high score winner from the USEF National Levels, Huber will be presented with stirrups donated by MDC Intelligent Stirrups. The pair tops the Grand Prix list with an impressive average of 66.900%.
Lisa Gorretta, President of The Paddock Saddlery, is an avid adult amateur dressage rider herself having earned her USDF bronze and silver medals. Gorretta realizes the importance of amateurs in dressage saying, “I can't think of a single equestrian venue that does not depend at least in some way on the efforts of amateurs. We considered it a wonderful opportunity to give recognition to their competitive efforts. Gorretta also says she is pleased with the success of the Markel Amateur Winter Dressage Championship and is looking forward to growing the program for next year.
The leading trainer/coach for the 2008 Markel Amateur Winter Dressage Championships was Allyn Schavone. Amy Bock had remarkable scores in the FEI levels. She won both the Prix St. Georges and the Intermediare I divisions with average scores of over 69% in each. The Fourth Level title went to Kyle McIver and Wasabi. Dr. Kristy Truenbach Lund took top honors at Third Level aboard Reel Adventure and won the First Level Championship on Cruise Control. JR and Janne Rumbough captured the Second Level title. Deborah Gyulay and Wrazzle Dazzle won the Training Level Championship.
To see the complete list of winners, or for information about the 2009 Markel Amateur Winter Dressage Championships presented by The Paddock Saddlery, visit www.paddocksaddlery.com.