Michael Morrissey & Crelido Win Highlife Farms Grand Prix Conformation Jumper Award at WEF

Michael Morrissey and Crelido, owned by Gene Mische, won the Highlife Farms Grand Prix Conformation Jumper Award during the $75,000 Nespresso Grand Prix at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. (Photo courtesy of Randi Muster Photography)

Wellington, FL (February 5, 2010) – Crelido, ridden by Grand Prix rider Michael Morrissey, captured the Highlife Farms Grand Prix Conformation Jumper Award during the third week of the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Crelido and Morrissey earned the prestigious conformation award while competing in the $75,000 Nespresso Grand Prix at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

Morrissey was thrilled to win the conformation award aboard Crelido, a 14-year-old Holstein gelding by Calido. Gene Mische, founder and CEO of Stadium Jumping and Morrissey’s uncle, owns Crelido.

Sponsored by Highlife Farms, a world-class sport horse and breeding farm, the Grand Prix Conformation Jumper Award is part of Highlife Farms’ ongoing desire to recognize top sport horses.  “It was an exciting Grand Prix and in addition to winning the conformation award, Michael and Crelido were also in the ribbons,” said Joan Sims, of the Orlando based Highlife Farms. “My husband, Kenny, and I are pleased to be sponsoring the conformation award at WEF.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10136

Tags: Conformation, equestrian competitions, equestrian disciplines, Grand Prix, hunter/jumper, Show Jumping, Winter Equestrian Festival

Exquis World Dressage Masters Grand Prix

Steffen Peters and Ravel after winning the Exquis World Dressage Masters at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Thursday. © 2010 Ilse Schwarz

WELLINGTON, Florida, Feb. 4 – The Exquis World Dressage Masters Grand Prix on Thursday was the first act of a replay of the 2009 World Cup Final with the same results – Steffen Peters and Ravel first, Anky van Grunsven and Salinero second and Isabell Werth and Satchmo third.

The three top finishers from the USA, Holland and Germany were really pleased, for different reasons, with their rides in the 10,000 euros (US$14,000) Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe Grand Prix that was watched by an estimated 2,500 spectators.

The 100,000 euros (US$138,000) Exquis World Dressage Masters at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center is the only CDI5* competition – the highest level of dressage competition – in the Western Hemisphere.

Steffen Peters of San Diego, California, was happy because the 12-year-old gelding, Ravel, with owners Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang looking on from the sidelines of the International Arena, performed better than he did last year when their performances led to Steffen being named U.S, Equestrian of the Year and Ravel Horse of the Year. Their score was 76.851 per cent and they were placed first by all five judges. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10134

Tags: dressage, equestrian competitions, equestrian disciplines, Grand Prix, World Dressage Masters