Wellington, FL - February 17, 2011 – Dressage rider Caroline Roffman proved why the FEI named her the recipient of the 2010 Rising Star Award when she rode into the winner’s circle during the International Horse Sport Palm Beach show aboard Beemer, a 13-year-old, 17.2 hand bay Holsteiner. It was the first time for Roffman to compete Beemer and the pair earned a winning score of 73.023% in the Young Rider Grand Prix.

"I was so excited to have such a good result with Beemer the first time out. I had only ridden him four times before the show so that made it even more challenging,” Roffman said. “I am green at the Grand Prix and it is so wonderful to be able to get more experience at this level, especially with a horse as talented and well trained as he is."

Roffman, who lives in Wellington and trains with Danish Olympian Lars Petersen, said Beemer is owned by Petersen and a group of investors. “Beemer is a very talented horse. He showed a year of Grand Prix with Lars and before that he won the National Championship for Six-Year-Olds,” she said. “My goal with him is to enjoy riding him in the 16-25 Grand Prix and the Brentina Cup classes and see where that takes us.”

Roffman, 22, also competed Bulgari 5, her 17-year-old, 16.1 hand chestnut Hanoverian gelding by Baryshnikov, in the Prix St. Georges class, riding away with a red ribbon and a score of 69.605%. “This year I am also showing Pie, my nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Worldly, at the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I level,” Roffman said.

While Roffman showed she can handle the Young Rider Grand Prix during the IHS Show, in January she took her first trip into the winner’s circle in a Young Rider Grand Prix class. “I competed Lux Stensvang, a nine-year-old Danish gelding by Lobster, at the Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I Show a few weeks ago and we won the Young Rider Grand Prix. I am so excited to be showing at this level,” Roffman said.

While Roffman had a successful year in 2010, she said 2011 has already started out strong. “I have so many great horses to show and I am really looking forward to it,” she said. “I have set many goals for myself and my horses and I plan on working hard and accomplishing them.”

One of Roffman’s goals includes competed Bon Chance, her six year old Hanoverian gelding by Belissimo M, at the FEI 6-Year-Old level. “Last year Bon Chance won the Five-Year-Old Championship at the USEF National Dressage Championships,” Roffman said. “I would love to follow it up this year with another National Championship win.”

ENDS