California's best dressage horses and riders will compete this week in Rancho Murieta at the CDS Championships. Photo: Jennifer M. Keeler.

Rancho Murieta, CA - Horse trailers are on the move, riding boots are being polished, and excitement is building as final preparations for the 44th Annual California Dressage Society (CDS) Championship Show presented by HorseShow.com are underway. The show will begin this Thursday, October 6 and offer spectacular competition through Sunday, October 9, 2011 at the Murieta Equestrian Center (MEC). The Center, located at 7200 Lone Pine Drive, in Rancho Murieta, CA, is Northern California's premier events facility offering plenty of free spectator seating and parking, VIP hospitality, food service, and equine-themed vendors for shopping, as well as three indoor and two outdoor arenas which will spotlight top performances by the best of California's horses and riders each day.

With more than $29,000 in prize money and awards, this spectacular show will also feature the popular CDS Young Horse Futurity (including the Cal-Bred Futurity), the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships, and the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championships West Coast Series Final. But for competitors, this annual show is about more than just titles and awards. Grand Prix dressage rider Jaye Cherry of Burbank, CA is driving more than seven hours with her horse, "Santana", along with junior competitor Bryce Quinto of Studio City, just to be part of the action. "These Championships are always part of my yearly show calendar, because it's great to compete head-to-head with the best from all of California," said Cherry. "And while winning is always great, it's not about the ribbons and prize money; it's really fun just to get together with friends from other areas that I might not otherwise see during the year."

A myriad of activities will be available each day for the enjoyment of both competitors and spectators. Thursday's schedule will be "Gone to the Dogs", with a hot dog barbeque and a parade of pooches vying for prizes for cutest pet and best trick. On Friday, special guest and Olympic dressage rider Guenter Seidel will be in attendance to sign autographs, assist with awards presentations, and participate in an exclusive interview session. The highlight of the weekend's entertainment will be Saturday evening, including always-popular musical freestyle competition; costume quadrilles; the famous Brian O'Connor dressage demonstration; a flag ceremony and drill team presentation by the West Coast Cowgirls; and a dog herding and frisbee dog performance. Sunday will be the culmination of the CDS Championship experience, as exhibitors compete for tricolor ribbons in the finales of multiple divisions.

"Not only will these Championships feature top competition, but they are also going to be a lot of fun," said Glenda McElroy, competition manager. "There will be something for everyone to enjoy, whether attending as a competitor, sponsor, official, CDS member, volunteer, or spectator."

For complete information about the upcoming 44th Annual California Dressage Society Championship Show presented by HorseShow.com, please visit the CDS website, www.california-dressage.org.