Rezvani, Martin, Matute Recipients of 2012 USPREA Dressage Scholarship

Dressage

American Dressage News

Ariane Rezvani, Christine Martin and Paula Matute are the reicipients of the 2013 United States PRE Association's Dressage Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to an Open rider, an Adult Amateur and a Youth rider for continued training on their PRE horse.

Applicants submit tests and a video for review by a dressage professional who selects the best recipient for each category. This year’s judge was Lendon Gray. The majority of our applicants for 2013 were in the Open category.

USPRE and Gray are very pleased with our winners this year as riders who have shown prior commitment to good training, self-education and competition.

The 2013 Dressage Scholarship recipients are:

Open Category ($2000.00): Ariane Rezvani of Paso Robles CA and Bandalor MQ, 2006 PRE stallion bred and owned by Donna Taylor and Jocelyn Scarbarough of Yeguada Marquesa LLC. Ariane is a full time professional who works at Golden Hills Farm. She has competed Bandalor through 3rd level in 2012 and is preparing for 4th level in 2013. Her professional highlights include Elite and Keur titles with Hannoverian and Dutch stock, USDF Bronze Medalist, and she is a graduate with distinction from the USDF “L” Programs and USDF Certified Instructor (through 2nd Level) Program. About the pair, Gray commented “Ariane ‘s horse Bandalor demonstrated an excellent foundation for the advanced levels he will be performing this year. It was wonderful to see that Ariane is taking opportunitites to educate and test herself through the various USEF and USDF programs.”

Adult Amateur Category ($1500.00): Christine Martin of Lake Forest CA and Letrado 15, 11 year old PRE gelding bred in Costa Rica. Letrado began his show career as a charro horse, but was introducted to dressage by Christine, who trains with Jennifer Reynen. They competed successfully in California at First Level in 2012, with a Region 7 Championship at First Level Freestyle, three USDF All Breeds distinctions and a number of AA High Point awards. Gray especially appreciated the story of Letrado’s versatility as charro horse and dressage horse, and commented on the good job Christine has done with the transition. Says Christine, “This is an important training time for Trado, and the decisions will be based on the best way to increase his ability level in a steady, healthy, pace that will ensure a long and happy dressage career. He is my forever horse!”

Youth Rider Category ($1500.00): Paula Matute of Wellington FL and Califa, owned by Debra Williams. Paula, the daughter of Spanish Olympian Juan Matute, is no stranger to the top levels of dressage competition, coming from an international heritage of top riders and living and competing in the Wellington circuits for several years. Having shown successfully with Califa from Junior Level through Prix St. George, Paula is an excellent candidate for future investment. She plans to compete in Wellington this winter, and then travel to Europe this summer with her family to compete on PREs from the Yeguada Ymas. Gray commented “Paula is a lovely rider who understands the commitment to learning and training that is required of a top athlete. She has been an ambassador of the PRE already for many years.”