January 19th - February 2nd, 2014, marked the inaugural dates for the Canadian Florida Fortnight, held in Wellington and West Palm Beach Florida. This event was so successful that Dressage Canada took a mini Fortnight experience on the road with stops in Toronto and Calgary. Titled the Performance Advantage Symposium, both mini Fortnight events received rave reviews from everyone in attendance.
With the success experienced in 2014, Dressage Canada is pleased to announce the dates for the second annual Canadian Florida Fortnight event which will again celebrate, develop and support our talented Canadian athletes, while also providing education and networking opportunities for officials, owners, sponsors and dressage enthusiasts. Back by popular demand the dates for the second annual Florida Fortnight in Wellington, Florida will run from January 26th through to Feb 4th 2015.
The original Florida Fortnight had a goal of providing our top athletes with a chance to see what is available to assist in perfecting and achieving a competitive edge in today's competition world. No matter what level of athlete you are, you and your horse can always do it better. In many cases it is about "working smarter rather than working harder!"
Why Florida? Try sunshine with 75 degrees - no snow and everyone in one place at one time! With the size of Canada and the weather conditions in winter - our top athletes must go either to Europe or South for the winter. Europe is not ideal - sporadic sunshine at best, so why not the winter equestrian capital of the world in Wellington, FL. Our athletes can compete in a number of International CDI level competitions, with minimal travel and wonderful surroundings.
Come and listen to presentations given by experts - how would you like to know how to:
• become a judge,
• become a steward,
• become a scribe,
• become a competition scorer,
• become a show organiser,
• become a stable manager,
• become a chef d'équipe and
• become a fundraiser?
PRESENTATION BY OUR WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES ATHLETES
Our athletes at the World Equestrian Games pulled off the most amazing performances - some reaching their personal bests - in what was believed to be an impossible task. To not only maintain their North American standards, but to better them, which they all did - Megan chose to make her European debut at the largest dressage show in the world Aachen, Germany. David Marcus hit his personal best in Verden, Germany in the Grand Prix beating some of the biggest names in the sport and out of a field of 31 in the Grand Prix, he finished second only to American star Steffen Peters. Both Belinda and Karen rode for their lives at WEG and both pulled off a personal best at the biggest show on earth. Come and listen to their experiences and preparations first hand!
PRESENTATIONS BY OUR PROFESSIONALS
TEAM VETERINARIAN - Based in California, Canadian Team Veterinarian, Dr. Geoff Vernon will give a talk on equine heath and maintenance. With him will be one of Canada's top Farriers, Luke Proulx, who will give a presentation on proper shoeing for the competition horse - remember - no foot - no horse! Also, the wonderful Tim Dutta, will discuss horse transportation by ground and air. Listen to Dr. Usha Knabe on the advantages of acupuncture for today's competition horse.
TEAM MENTAL COACH - Dirk Stroda from British Columbia, started working with our team last year at the Florida Fortnight. The feedback from our athletes was so positive that we have continued to use his services in a much larger capacity. Dirk presented at the Performance Advantage Performance in both Toronto and Calgary in June 2014, and travelled to Europe with our team for the World Equestrian Games. Experience and hear first-hand for yourself why he is so popular.
TRAINING THE TRAINER - Team Technical Advisor, Dr. Volker Moritz, will conduct a private session for our top trainers and coaches of today and tomorrow. Gather personal insight on the sport from one of the most experienced judges in the world of dressage. Dr. Moritz, having judged at National, European, World Equestrian Games, World Cups and the Olympic Games is truly a sport icon.
BRANDING, MARKETING, MEDIA TRAINING PLUS HOW TO PROMOTE YOURSELVES IN TODAY'S SOCIAL MEDIA - Mason Phelps and his team of experts from Phelps Media will give you the full picture on how to help you to promote yourself and the Canadian Team.
FOR ALL ATHLETES AT ALL LEVELS - we will have additional presentations on athlete fitness, sport nutrition, supplement options, functional anatomy and biomechanics of the human equestrian and performance analysis - understanding your dressage scores.
HEADPHONE COMMENTARY - sit and watch some of the top athletes in the world compete in a relaxed setting while listening to none other than our very own FEI 5* judge Cara Whitham talk you through the tests of each athlete from a judge's point of view.
PARTY TIME - opportunities to meet and greet our athletes, support our team programs and network with like-minded enthusiasts will be held throughout the Fortnight. Bring your significant other, your children, your friends - there is something for everyone in Wellington -polo lessons, golf, beaches and lots of shopping!
Schedule and registration information will be posted here once finalized.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Canadian Team Selected for 2014 World Equestrian Games
Desi Dillingham to Act as Special Advisor for Dressage Canada
Desi Dillingham to Build Team of Experts for Canada's High Performance Dressage Riders
Dr. Volker Moritz Steps Up to Support Canada's High Performance Dressage Riders