Wellington, FL - Great dressage is a sure thing in Wellington and Palm Beach County when the 2013 winter season rolls in, thanks to the jam-packed show schedule Wellington Classic Dressage (WCD) has created.

Not only are these 16 weeks of shows a chance for riders to compete with some of the best dressage riders in the world, they are a spectators' and shoppers' paradise. WCD played host to more than 2,600 horse/rider entries with more than 6,500 rides during the 2012 season. The events brought thousands of spectators as well as vendors from the U.S. and abroad to Wellington and Palm Beach County and the 2013 season promises to be even more thrilling.

"We have a very exciting winter season planned, and truly have something for everyone," Noreen O'Sullivan, show manager for WCD, said. "From the world's top FEI riders competing at the World Dressage Masters CDI5*, to our local FEI Adult and Junior/Young Riders competing at our four international or CDI competitions, to our full national and schooling shows, to our first ever Global Dressage Festival North America, we will have plenty of dressage for everyone!"
  
So, get your calendars out and start penciling in all your options. January starts off with a bang with an event planned for every weekend. The Wellington Classic Dressage Challenge I/NAJYRC is Jan. 4-6, 2013 at the Palm Beach County Jim Brandon Equestrian Center followed by the International Horse Sport Dressage Premiere held at IHS Champions Park at White Fences Equestrian Estates, Jan. 11-12. The exciting Gold Coast Dressage Association Opener CDIW will be Jan. 17-20 at Jim Brandon and the Wellington Classic Sunshine Challenge CDI3* will be held at Jim Brandon, Jan. 23-27, 2013.

The feather on January's cap will be the World Dressage Master's CDI5* Palm Beach held at Jim Brandon, Jan. 23-27, 2013. World Dressage Masters is one of the highest competitions at the international level, one of only four 5-Star shows in the WDM series held worldwide and the only one to be held on U.S. soil. World Dressage Masters drew nearly 10,000 spectators and competitors throughout the four-day show weekend in 2012.

"The World Dressage Masters has been the crown jewel of the Wellington dressage circuit," said U.S. Olympic Dressage Team Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons. "It brings enough riders from Europe to make it a very exciting competition. It's been very well run for the past two years. They take the facility at the Jim Brandon Center and make it intimate−cozy and exciting at the same time. The place was packed the past two years, which gives it a really good atmosphere. It prepares horses for indoor shows like they have in Europe."

Finishing out January will be the Global Dressage Forum North America Jan. 28-29 at Jim Brandon, presented by DressageClinic.com and Wellington Classic Dressage.

February may be a short month, but WCD manages to offer exciting dressage action. The Wellington Classic Spring Challenge CDI3* will be held Feb. 7-10 at Jim Brandon Equestrian Center and the International Horse Sport FEI Derby will be held at White Fences Equestrian Estates on Feb. 16. Rounding out the month will be the 30-Year Anniversary of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDIW at IHS Champions Park in White Fences Equestrian Estates, Feb. 28-March 3, 2013.

"I love showing in an intimate setting like we have at Jim Brandon and working with such caring professionals," said USEF "r" TD and FEI competitor, Ann Hart.  "Each year is more rewarding!"

March may come in like a lion but it will stay ferocious with the March 7-10 Wellington Classic Challenge II CDI1*/NAJYRC at Jim Brandon. Soon after, on March 21-24, IHS Champions Park in Equestrian Estates will play host to the International Horse Sport Champions Cup CDIW, and the following weekend, the venue will host Dressage At Equestrian Estates CDI3* March 28-31.

WCD has plenty of dressage action planned, as well as some special events during the season. "Join us for our exciting Saturday Evening Grand Prix Freestyles under the lights at our CDI's, and help us support some great causes as we partner with Black Tie Magazine to highlight some of our local neighboring charities this season," O'Sullivan added. "We have deep roots in our local community and we appreciate the support our competitors, owners and trainers have shown us over the years."

For more information about the exciting 2013 winter show season Wellington Classic Dressage has planned, including entry forms to upcoming shows, a photo gallery and contact information, check out  http://www.wellingtonclassicdressage.com.

To learn more about events for Gold Coast Dressage Association, log onto http://www.gcdafl.org. 

To learn more about events at International Horse Sport Palm Beach, log onto http://www.ihspb.com.