“Wellington’s First Lady of Dressage” Janne Rumbough was recently honored for her continued dedication to dressage as a rider, owner and longtime supporter of the sport. Carol Cohen, an Engel & Völkers real estate advisor, honored Rumbough with the Global Dressage Visionary Award.
“I am so proud to give Janne this award,” Cohen said. “My daughter and I came to Wellington in 1998, and we both vividly remember Janne helping us figure out what we needed to get started in the sport of dressage.”
Rumbough, originally from Denmark, has been a staple in the local dressage community since long before it could have been considered a dressage community.
“I have always loved to ride dressage, so when I first came here to Palm Beach, I immediately looked for horses in the area,” she said. “In the early 1970s, the only riding available was at the Delray Country Club with Colleen Blunt, so I went there.”
After a few years passed, Rumbough was able to move her horses back to Palm Beach County and help organize the first dressage show ever held in Wellington.
“We had to pay a Prix St. George rider to come down from New York because there simply wasn’t anyone here,” Rumbough said. “So to look at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival now and see all the people coming here from all over the world is really special.”
The Global Dressage Visionary Award was established by Cohen to recognize dressage enthusiasts who have put an incredible amount of effort into the growth and promotion of dressage, especially in Wellington. This award distinguishes people who have followed through on their unique vision to make their beloved sport prominent in the world.
Rumbough is widely acknowledged for not only being a Grand Prix level rider herself, but also for owning top-level horses competed by other dressage professionals.
“I am so honored to receive the Global Dressage Visionary Award, and I would really like to dedicate this award to all the people who have been involved with dressage in Wellington,” Rumbough said.
Cohen is a sponsor of the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival and presents the Global Dressage Visionary Award to recipients like Rumbough. She has also been instrumental in forming a leadline class at the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival to help young riders get experience in the main arena.
The Grand Finale Leadline Exhibition will be held March 18 at 5 p.m. before the Grand Prix Freestyle class. To enter your child in the event, contact Cohen at cfcohen55@gmail.com.
ABOVE: Carol Cohen presents Janne Rumbough with the Global Dressage Visionary Award.
