Rainy days don’t get in the way of the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s show committee and competitors. The group has been running dressage shows in Wellington for more than 35 years. In fact, the Gold Coast Dressage Association, together with the Wellington Classic Dressage winter season shows, were the inspiration for the development of the now legendary 12-week Global Dressage Festival hosted in Wellington each winter. With so much knowledge behind them, it’s no wonder that the Gold Coast Dressage Association show held May 19-20 at the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex was another successful weekend of competition.
This show featured two international 4* judges, Marian Cunningham and Claudia Mesquita, and USDF “S” judge Sandi Chohany. Chohany celebrated her birthday during the show, and the show staff got together to celebrate after the day’s work was done.
With over 106 entries and 184 rides it comes as no surprise that big names such as Adrienne Lyle, Kelly Lane, Marco Bernal, Nicholas Fyffe, Chris Von Martles, Shannon Dueck and para-equestrian superstars Roxanne Trunnell, Rebecca Hart, Kate Shoemaker and Eleanor Brimmer came to support the show. The highest score ride of the show came from Shoemaker aboard Solitaer 40 riding in the Para Equestrian IV Individual Test, scoring a 76.829 percent.
“We have a really action-packed show, with several FEI riders coming here looking to qualify for the upcoming Central American games. GCDA Secretary Amy Swerdlin and the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex staff have done a fantastic job as our host facility, with excellent footing, a covered arena, an updated sound system for top-notch freestyles and permanent stabling, it makes for fun, friendly shows year round,” said Noreen O’Sullivan, president of the Gold Coast Dressage Association.
O’Sullivan said the association also organizes educational events. “We are going to be doing a USDF educational session in July,” she said.
To check out results, or see what’s coming up, visit www.gcdafl.org.
The association enjoys support from many sponsors, including Diamante Farms, the Palm Beach Equine Clinic and Sports Complex, Custom Saddlery, MDC Stirrups, TheraPlate, Florida Community Bank, Finish Line Products, Noreen O’Sullivan’s Prudential Advisors, John McGinty Financial Partners, Mary Phelps of Markel Insurance, JRPR Public Relations Equine News Room and Triple Crown Nutrition.
