Olney, MD -- The Potomac Valley Dressage Association (PVDA) announces that Bent Jensen, former Olympian and renowned dressage trainer, will be joining the lineup for the Dancing Horse Challenge on June 25, 2011.
“My participation in the Ride for Life Dancing Horse Challenge is a personal call to action” says Bent Jensen, “I have personally been touched by many friends who have battled with the disease and hope that we can continue to improve the quality of life for those affected through supporting the efforts at The Johns Hopkins Avon Breast Center."
The Dancing Horse Challenge, will be held on Saturday, June 25, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.). Hailed as one of the premier equestrian nights on the East Coast, ticket holders will experience equestrian prowess, music, lights and theatrical performances.
For more than 20 years, Bent Jensen's name has been synonymous with upper level dressage in Europe and the United States. He competed as an Olympian on the Danish Team in Barcelona and has made his mark in the Grand Prix dressage world with a string of successes in CDIs from New England to Florida.
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Bent started his formal training at the age of seven. As an adult, he trained for more than five years with his mentor, Lis Hartel, two-time Olympic Silver Medalist and World Champion of Denmark. Bent is now a US citizen and lives in Wellington, Florida.
In the United States, Bent is known for his no-nonsense approach to training both horses and riders. He works consistently on solid basics with the eventual goal of developing every horse and rider to their fullest potential.
Bent is a frequent clinician in Maryland and we are thrilled for his students and friends that he will join us this year for the Ride for Life”, says Jeannette Bair, friend, student and Chairperson of several key committees for this year’s event.
Additional riders on the bill to perform musical freestyles include Vitor Silva, acclaimed instructor and founder of the Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts; Michale Barisone, former Olympian and also renowned FEI trainer and competitor; Shannon Dueck, World Cup and Grand Prix champion; Kim and Yvonne Barteau of KYB Dressage, Grand Prix trainers and competitors; Jane Hannigan (Grand Prix rider) and Dutch Chapman, a two-time NRHA World Champion and acclaimed trainer. For updates about participating riders and their performances, visit www.pvdarideforlife.org.
The PVDA Ride for Life™ Dancing Horse Challenge has become one of the largest equestrian freestyle performances in the Mid-Atlantic Region popular with both the sport horse and non-equestrian communities. The event, which takes place at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has raised over $320,000 for The Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. The Ride for Life is proudly sponsored by Prix St. Georges Corporate sponsors Dover Saddlery, Nutrena Feeds, Dressage Training Online and County Saddlery. 2011 Media sponsors include 101.9 Lite FM, The Gazette, Citypeek.com, The Equiery, Dressage Today, Modern Babies &Children, Wedding 411 on Demand, The Daily Record, MyCity4Her.com, Key103, 106.9 The Eagle, Corridor Inc, Downtown Diane, Washington Parent, The Jewish Times and Washington Post Postpoints.