KDA is the management organization for the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by Dutta Corp., which takes place at the Kentucky Horse Parks Rolex Arena for the first time Oct. 8-12. The festival will hold its customary six national championship divisions — Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, the Brentina Cup for young adults, Young Rider, Junior, and Pony rider.
“KDA is excited about managing the Festival of Champions in October and wants those competitors striving for that USEF invitation to join us at our May CDI, for a great show in the Rolex Arena,” said Michelle Morehead, president of KDA.
The KDA spring shows will conduct all CDI3*/ CDI*/CDIY/CDIJ/CDIP classes and many others in the Rolex Arena, site of 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games dressage and show jumping. KDA management, which anticipates more than 1,000 rides during the four-day show, will offer CDI prize money of $12,300 and national show prize money of $3,600. National show open, adult amateur, and KDA member high-score prize money will total $4,400.
In an effort to encourage greater community interest in dressage, KDA is working with the Kentucky Horse Park for a special World of Horses presentation Saturday, May 25. Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, which teaches riding to the physically and mentally handicapped, will also explain its mission and introduce its horses to the public. That same day KDA will host a cancer walk in memory of Mary Kearney, who was a KDA member, horse lover and dressage enthusiast. The community will be invited to participate in the walk and to stay and watch an exciting dressage freestyle competition that evening.
In 2012, the KDA spring show drew competitors from 17 states, plus Canada and Spain. The CDI portion attracted many top riders hoping to secure spots for the 2012 London Olympics.
For more information about the 2013 KDA show, visit www.kentuckydressageassociation.org and our Facebook page, Kentucky Dressage Association Horse Shows