With the Florida summer heat in full effect, the Gold Coast Dressage Association Made In The Shade I & II gave year-round riders the chance to get out of the sun and into the show ring. Riders came to try new levels, gear up for the U.S. Dressage National Championships, and to earn final scores for regional championships. The show was held at the Palm Beach Equine Complex on Aug. 18 and 19.
The show featured rides from Training Level, Para Equestrian Test of Choice, and FEI Freestyles. More than 80 rides went down centerline over the course on the two days, and “S” judges Kem Barbosa and Joan Darnell were on hand. Having run shows consistently in Wellington for the last 35 years, Gold Coast was the initial inspiration for the 12-week Adequan Global Dressage Festival. “We have a great show going on with some big names on the list, and people riding from all levels between the two rings,” said Noreen O’Sullivan, president of the Gold Coast Dressage Association.
The high score for the entire weekend went to Roxanne Trunnell on Dolton, who scored a 78.036 percent. The pair was recently named to the United States Para Equestrian Team for the World Equestrian Games held in Tryon, N.C. Wellington local trainer Nicholas Fyffe had an outstanding 70.735 percent on Diozar in the Intermediaire 1. On Sunday, Bent Jensen wowed the crowd in his Third Level Test 3 riding Marti Hohmann’s Uno De Moulinet to a 67.949 percent taking the win as well.
Riders have continuously raved about the great show staff and events that Gold Coast Dressage puts on. “The staff was fair enough to put us first thing in the morning so our horses could go home and rest before leaving tonight for the National Championships in Illinois.” said Melissa Taylor, who rode Ansgar to a high score of 71.765 percent in the FEI TOC. While the chaos of season may be gone, there is still a close-knit equestrian community here that bonds during the hot summer months. “It’s smaller, so you get to catch up with everyone when its not so hectic like season,” said Eleanor Brimmer, a para equestrian who resides year-round in Wellington.
Gold Coast shows no signs of slowing down as the summer is winding down. With several events planned in the upcoming months, like an Adult Camp and Ride a Test Oct. 6-7, the November Fall Fling Recognized Show on Nov. 10-11 and the Year End Awards Banquet on Nov. 17 at the Wanderers Club.
The Gold Coast Dressage Association enjoys support from its many members and 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.
The Gold Coast Dressage Association’s purpose is to organize and operate educational activities and to foster local and national amateur dressage competition. The Gold Coast Dressage Association is committed to education and promoting good sportsmanship along with high ethical and moral standards in horsemanship and the equestrian sports. To find out more, or to become a member of the Gold Coast Dressage Association, visit www.gcdafl.org.
