Wellington, FL - Transplanted Australian dressage rider Ilse Schwarz and Don Joseph were the High Score Award winners on the first day of the Global Dressage Festival National 2 Horse Show receiving 72.581% in the First Level Test 3 - Open on Tuesday. Christopher Hickey of Colora, MD and Hilltop Farm's Balissa HTF took top honors for the remaining two days at the Stadium show grounds of the Global Dressage Festival (GDF) earning 75.323% in the USEF First Level Test 3 - Open on Wednesday and 74.516% in the same test on Thursday.

Ilse Schwarz, based in Wellington, and Don Joseph a six-year-old Oldenburg gelding, (Don Kennedy x Calmera x Santander) have been an outstanding pair, with many wins in the past few years. Don Joseph is owned by Gaye and Joseph Scarpa of Magnolia Farm. He was bred by Mrs. Scarpa and named after Mr. Scarpa.

Don Joseph has been trained from the start by Schwarz, who moved from Australia to the United States in 1998 and trains and competes several horses, including her own, up to Grand Prix. As a testament to their success, Don Joseph is currently leading the list for Horse-Of-The-Year in First Level with the USDF.

Christopher Hickey has had a successful season with Balissa HTF, owned and bred by Jane MacElree of Hilltop Farm, earning several top scores at the Global Dressage Festival. This week Hickey felt that the five-year-old Hanoverian mare had a better test on the second day of competing even though the score was lower.

"The test today had fewer mistakes than yesterday, but she was a little strong and fell out of balance a little bit more," said Hickey. "I think that when this horse is trained she is going to be a powerhouse. She is sensitive and forward-going by nature, but then sometimes she puts herself out of balance. One of the reasons she is such a blast to ride is because she has her own engine, but then because she is so young and such a big horse, it is sometimes difficult for her to balance."

The reserve high score was awarded to Jennifer Griger of Wellington, FL on Delhia with 70.541% in the USEF First Level Test 2 - Open on Tuesday and 71.081% in the same event on Thursday. Mary Ambrose of Canada and Ming Dynasty were reserve high score winners on Wednesday receiving 71.757% in the USEF Fourth Level Test 2 - Open.

In the Para-Equestrian event, Jody Schloss, 39, of Toronto, Canada had a great showing all three days, but was the most impressive on Wednesday scoring 80.250% on Inspector Rebus in the FEI Para Freestyle Test of Choice.

For more information and ride times, please visit the Global Dressage Festival website at: www.globaldressagefestival.com under the link of dressage show information and ride times on the main homepage.