International dressage trainer Susan Dutta has stayed busy over the summer accumulating many blue ribbons during the hot Florida summer. In an effort to stay in top form before Dressage at Devon, Dutta has competed at the Summer Sizzler I and the Summer Sizzler II held in Newberry, FL. Golden Choice DC, Currency DC, and Manette DC have all thrived in the competition arena this summer with Dutta, showing that they are ready for the difficult tests that lay ahead.

At the Summer Sizzler I in July, Golden Choice DC performed her first grand prix. Dutta's coach, Lars Petersen, went to the show for the purpose of watching "Goldie's" first grand prix. Goldie and Dutta showed wonderful harmony in their test that secured a first-place ribbon and a score of 67.083%. Difficult movements, such as the flying changes of leg every second stride and the passage on centerline, seemed easy for the pair and were awarded with 8's. Dutta received an 8 on rider position and seat. Dutta said, "Before the show, I was not entirely sure Goldie would be ready. She still felt a little green in that she needs to be stronger, but she seemed so solid in her mind. She was very comfortable with the difficult movements. Showing the grand prix on her is so much fun."

Currency DC, aka "Curry," also had an impressive showing at this competition. In the small tour, Curry and Dutta worked together to obtain a first place with 66.500% in the Intermediare I, as well as a 66.515% in the Prix St. George. Dutta is also excited with the progress Curry has been making. She said, "This has been a great developmental summer with Curry. We have spent some time fixing issues that we had during the winter season. It was great to go to a summer show to work on those things without a lot of pressure."

At the August Summer Sizzler II, Dutta enjoyed continued success with both Goldie and Curry. Goldie and Dutta again competed at the grand prix. The duo earned second place with a score of 63.958%. Curry had a repeat performance, receiving another blue ribbon in the Intermediare I with a 67.750%. In this class, Dutta clinched a 1-2 finish with her score of 64.250% on Manette DC. Dutta and Manette scored well in the Prix St. George with another 64.250%. Also in that class, Lars Petersen debuted Dutta's Red Romance DC and earned a notable 67.500%.

At the August Suncoast Sunburn Classic held in Tampa, her student, Amanda Stearns, made the trip and proved to be an excellent ambassador for Dutta. Stearns competed on Revanche, a beautiful bay mare that Dutta helped her find and purchase. Sterns and Revanche competed at the Prix St. George, and in the open division, Stearns won second place with a score of over 69%. The following day, Stearns and Revanche captured a win with a 72%. Stearns is hoping to qualify next year for the 2009 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships with Revanche.

Dutta plans to take both Goldie and Curry to the USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship later this month in Lexington, KY. The Developing Horse Championship is held in conjunction with the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships. Open only to horses between seven and nine years of age, the top 20 horse-and-rider combinations that qualify will compete at the Prix St. George level in a competition that aims to recognize young talented horses. Dutta is looking forward to this competition. She said she believes in the idea of this competition as does her husband, Tim Dutta of The Dutta Corporation, who is sponsoring the show for the second year in a row.

After this respectable competition, Dutta and her horses will travel to the Northeast for the world's largest open breed show and site of world-class dressage competition, Dressage at Devon. Dressage at Devon will be the first huge international test for Goldie who will compete in the grand prix. Dutta claims to be a little nervous about it saying,