The Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida from 1st to 4th February 2001 offered four days of dressage in the midst of the show jumping action. As the prize money was high, many American and even a few European riders were bound to participate
in this palm treed competition.
In the Thursday's Grand Prix Special it was the Israeli Oded Shimoni who dominated the class aboard his Dutch warmblood Glenstern (Kaiserstern xx x Saluut). Shimoni scored a 68.66% which was enough to win. Shimoni is very happy about his newest Grand Prix mount. "He is an extremely elegant horse and has international quality in his gaits and movements," said Shimoni to Horsesdaily.com correspondant Amber Heintzberger.
The Saturday's Grand Prix Special class was won by the native Belgian but currently Mexican Patrick Burssens. Riding the Argentinian warmblood Marfil, owned by Mary Ann McPhail, Burssens scored a lovely 69.77%.
The Grand Prix freestyle crowd-puller was easily won by German Hubertus Schmidt competing the 11-year-old Danish warmblood stallion Extream (by Midt West Ibi Light) for sponsor Windsome Farms. Schmidt already knew the feel of riding Extream as the bay had been one of his partners during the 1999 European show circuit. Schmidt rode notable scores with this horse at the 1999 CDI Dortmund, conjointly held with the World Cup Dressage Finals.
More news on the Winter Equestrian Festival at Dressagedaily.com
Image of Schmidt by Mary Phelps