Dressage Riders Will Raise the Bar at 2011 Festival of the Horse CDI in Burbank

Shows

2011 CDI Burbank

As Pan American Games fever is sweeping the nation, and winter-weary horses and riders feel the warmth of spring fever, next week's Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J competition will showcase the best of California dressage at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA, March 30 – April 3, 2011. The level of competition will be high: with over 200 horses entered, more than half will be competing in FEI-level tests, and 65 will contest the international CDI portion of the show.

“This is the largest CDI we’ve ever had,” notes competition manager Glenda McElroy.

With two arenas devoted to FEI-level competition, there will be plenty to watch as exhibitors ride in front of an esteemed international panel of judges, including Linda Zang (5* USA); Cara Whitham (5* USA); Jean Michel-Roudier (5* FRA); Eddy de Wolff (4* NED); Jeanne McDonald (4* USA); and Charlotte Bredahl-Baker (3* USA). More than thirty horse/rider combinations from the United States and Canada will be competing for the hottest ticket in town – a spot on their nation’s team at the Pan American Games in Mexico this fall. In addition, Grand Prix riders, including Jan Ebeling and David Wightman, will pursue final qualification for next month’s Reem Acra/FEI World Cup Dressage Finals in Europe, while highly-competitive fields of Young Riders and Juniors will vie for scores for the NAJYRC and Festival of Champions. Always a spectator favorite, musical freestyle classes will be showcased on Sunday, April 3 in the Large Oval from 10am to 3pm.

Adding to the show festivities, LA Saddlery and Prestige® will sponsor a wine and cheese party for exhibitors on Friday, April 1. Prestige® Italia saddle designer Roberto Rasia will be on site throughout the competition to talk to exhibitors about the Prestige® models, and will present a new saddle to the winner of the Pan American Games-qualifying CDI Intermediaire-I class on Saturday, April 2.

In addition to intense competition for riders inside the show ring, Markel Insurance will present a free educational seminar, “Mastering Good Horsemanship”, with speaker Gil Merrick. This special opportunity for exhibitors to learn skills to be the best they can in both riding and life will be available free of charge at designated times throughout the show.

Another highlight of the competition will be the return of “The Retreat”, a special hospitality area for exhibitors sponsored by the Lisa Seger Equine Insurance Agency. This popular lounge area will once again offer complimentary refreshments and an opportunity for riders, owners, and grooms to check scores, socialize, and utilize free Wi-Fi service.

The Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J is an official qualifying competition for the Reem Acra/FEI Dressage World Cup Finals and the Pan American Games, in addition to the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions (Pony Rider, Junior, Young Rider, and Brentina Cup divisions); NAJYRC; Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program; and the USEF Developing Horse division (sponsored by Dutta & PSI).

For a complete time schedule for each day of competition, visit www.cornerstonedressage.com.