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Dressage under the StarsJim Kofford Wins Dressage under the Stars Finale sponsored by Phelps Media Group, Carol Cohen’s Two Swans Farm and The Dutta Corporation Jim Kofford as Batman. Photo Credit: Alyson Sanderford/PMG Photo Wellington, FL – March 24, 2011 – Last night, the world famous Player’s Club hosted the grand finale of Dressage under the Stars, where at the end of the evening, Jim “Batman” Kofford was crowned the series champion. During the evening, the winners from the previous weeks returned to compete for the 2011 championship including Chris Von Martels, Jim Kofford, Marcia Kulak, Dottie Morkis, and Emily Kannenstine. Judges for this week included Todd Flettrich, Ashley Holzer and Kelly Klein and the event was sponsored by Carol Cohen’s Two Swans Farm, the Dutta Corp. and Phelps Media Group. Jim Kofford rode his Grand Prix mount, Rhett, as “Batman,” to the $2,500 cash top prize after completing two thrilling performances. This is third year of the Wednesday night weekly event, held at the Players Club during the Palm Beach winter circuit. “I am so excited to win,” Kofford stated after his performance still wearing his Batman mask. “This is a great horse who loved this rowdy crowd and really got into it. The second round was actually really fun to do and this whole event is great. This horse is 11 years old and I think it was great practice for him, in a fun and relaxing environment. Plus, under the lights adds another element for the horses and provided a great atmosphere to compete.” Sons of the Wind Performs Beautiful Quadrille at Dressage under the Stars Vitor Silva from Sons of the Wind Lusitanos performed a Quadrille at Dressage under the Stars. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG. Palm City, FL – March 17, 2011 – On Wednesday, March 16, the riders from Sons of the Wind performed a moving quadrille performance with their talented Lusitano mounts during the Dressage under the Stars competition. The beautiful event was held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida. Following the Iberian Challenge between the Lusitano and PRE horses, the Sons of the Wind riders and their four horses entered the ring in authentic Portuguese costumes. “For our performance tonight we brought some young horses and it was just extraordinary,” smiled Silva after the ride. “It proves that hard work and the classical training can create talented horses, which in turn creates a beautiful ride. The quadrille is very special because it requires precise choreography and special coordination between the horses and riders.” The Sons of the Wind and Mr. Silva are famous for exhilarating airs above the ground and their quadrilles have been featured at the Boston Portuguese Festival, Bear Spot Freestyle, PVDA “Ride for Life”, and many other locations. The Sons of the Wind School for the Equestrian Arts, based in Merrimac, Massachusetts and now for the winter Palm City, FL, were founded by Portuguese trainer Mr. Vitor Silva. With their dedication to classical training, these unique centers provide a venue for the starting and sales of the young Lusitanos, along with instruction to all levels of students by the Lusitano school masters developed by Mr. Silva for amateur enthusiasts, instructors and competitive riders from around the world. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13460 United States’ PRE and Lusitanos to Perform this Week at Dressage under the Stars: Iberian ChallengeWellington, FL – March 15, 2011 – Join the crowd this Wednesday evening, March 16th, at the world famous Players Club for Dressage under the Stars, starting at 7:00pm. In its seventh week of competition, Dressage under the Stars will feature a breed competition this week, showcasing the US PRE and Lusitano horses. Two horses of each breed will perform musical freestyles showcasing the talent and history of these incredible breeds. Guests can enjoy delicious drinks and dinner patio side or upstairs on the balcony overlooking the dressage arena. Nationally renowned trainer Mr. Vitor J. Silva and his students, Emily Kannenstine and Leah Winston from Sons of the Winds Farm, will represent the Lusitano breed. Kannenstine and Winston will both perform individual freestyles and midway through the evening, Mr. Silva and his riders will also be performing a rousing quadrille demonstration for guests to enjoy, showcasing this incredible breed and its history. Riders representing the United States PRE Association are Rachel Chowanec and Summerville Harris, will each perform cultural and fun Freestyles at the FEI level. “The US PRE Association works solely for the promotion of the breed and education of the public about the PRE,” noted US PRE President Kimberly Boyer. “We also strive to service breeders who are working to grow this specific breed. We are excited about Dressage under the Stars and this competition between the PREs and the Lusitanos. We thought it was a great opportunity to celebrate the similarities these breeds share, along with their neighborhood stud books! It should be a great evening!” Sons of the Wind Lusitanos to Perform at Dressage under the Stars Vitor Silva from Sons of the Wind Lusitanos will be performing at Dressage under the Stars. Photo Courtesy of the Client. Palm City, FL – March 14, 2011 – Sons of the Wind Lusitanos is pleased to announce that they will be competing at Dressage under the Stars on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. The beautiful event is held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida. The festivities begin at 7:00 p.m., with delicious drinks and fine dining available both patio-side, and the Lusitano/PRE competition will begin at 8 p.m. Nationally renowned trainer Mr. Vitor J. Silva and his students, Emily Kannenstine and Leah Winston, who will be working for Sons of the Winds, will begin by competing in a dressage competition against a group of PRE horses, showcasing the talents of the different breeds. Midway through the evening, Mr. Silva and his riders will also be performing a rousing quadrille demonstration for guests to enjoy. The Sons of the Wind and Mr. Silva are famous for exhilarating airs above the ground and their quadrilles have been featured at the Boston Portuguese Festival, Bear Spot Freestyle, PVDA “Ride for Life”, and many other locations. The Sons of the Wind School for the Equestrian Arts, based in Merrimac, Massachusetts and now for the winter Palm City, FL, were founded by Portuguese trainer Mr. Vitor Silva. With their dedication to classical training, these unique centers provide a venue for the starting and sales of the young Lusitanos, along with instruction to all levels of students by the Lusitano school masters developed by Mr. Silva for amateur enthusiasts, instructors and competitive riders from around the world. Top International Judge Featured at Tonight’s Dressage under the Stars Marsha Kulak and last week's judges at Dressage under the Stars. Photo Credit: Top Shelf Dressage Wellington, FL – March 9, 2011 – Tonight marks the sixth week for the exciting Dressage under the Stars, held at the world famous Players Club in Wellington, Florida. Festivities begin tonight 7:00pm, with delicious drinks and fine dining available both patio-side, upstairs on the porch and as always inside the Players Club. The beautiful event will continue for two more weeks and is held each Wednesday at the luxurious venue. This week’s performances will feature top international judge Anne Gribbons and choreographer Ruth Hogan-Poulsen. Last week’s Dressage under the Stars was great event featuring three Eventing riders performing musical freestyles. Eventing riders do not usually perform freestyles, but their incredible efforts did not disappoint. Last week’s Dressage under the Stars, sponsored by PRO aligned with the Derby Cross event held Saturday night, March 5, during Nations Cup week. Riders from last week included Marsha Kulak, Sara Kozumplik and Ronald Zabala-Goetschel. Olympian Karen O’Connor served as one of the judges for the evening, alongside Mason Phelps, Jr. “Tonight was a great event for our event riders,” noted O’Connor. “The evening was very interesting, exciting and enthusiastic. They do a wonderful job presenting different disciplines to the public and the music is just so much fun.” Wednesdays Wow the Crowd at Dressage under the Stars Dressage under the Stars Logo. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Client. It’s Everything Eventing This Week Wellington, FL – March 1, 2011 – Last week’s Dressage under the Stars was a crowd favorite, as four former dressage young riders competed to fantastic popular music in exciting dress. Riders last week were Mica Mabragana from Argentina, Kasi Barteau who did a rendition of the Lion King, winner of the evening Jocelyn Wylese, and Mary Lauthorio who made her horse into a rocket ship in honor of the final NASA spaceship launch. Neil Hirsh, owner of the Player’s Club which hosts the evening remarked “It was wonderful, last week really stepped it up a notch. Really well done!” Film Documentarian, Ron Davis served as the artistic judge for the evening, and commented, “Until now I thought Dressage is normally so serious. Last Wednesday was beautiful and fun!” This week PRO Derby Cross will present a special evening of Dressage under the Stars as it will showcase the talents of strictly Eventing riders. 2011 Dressage under the Stars Kicks Off Third Year Dressage under the Stars week one musical freestyle winner Chris Von Martels is joined by (l-r) Ted Rekal-Nuttall, Jane Savoie, Carole Grant, Tami Hoag, Rick Rockefeller-Silvia, and Juan Gonzalez. (Photo courtesy of JRPR) Chris Von Martels Wins Dressage under the Stars Week 1 Wellington, FL (February 6, 2011) – For the third year in a row, Dressage under the Stars, held patio-side at The Players Club Bar & Grille, is the place to be on Wednesday nights in Wellington. This year will bring another eight weeks of exciting rider and horse combinations competing for weekly prizes and an opportunity for riders to return the final week to perform in the grand finale. Attendees were again guaranteed an enchanting night of FEI level musical freestyles, fine dining, cocktails, and new this year a VIP champagne tent. Chris Von Martels stole the show with his winning performance on Don Darveen, a warmblood gelding by Donnerhall. Von Martels performed to music that included the Black Eyed Peas for a fun hip-hop combination musical freestyle. Don Darveen’s owner, Regina Sacha-Ujczo, drove all the way from Orlando to come see her horse perform. Von Martels’ prizes included a custom Quantum Saddle, presented by Quantum Limited’s North American Representative Ted Rekal-Nuttall, 500 dollars cash, and VIP passes to the table service sponsorship tent. All competitors received a rider care package from The Wellington Institute, an American Express Gift Card donated by Jill Hoag of Keyes Company and a bundle of organic carrots for their horses. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13200 Dressage under the Stars Returns to Wellington Tonight to Kick Off Third Season Dressage under the Stars Logo. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Client Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – Tonight marks the opening night for Dressage under the Stars, sponsored this evening by Quantum Saddle Ltd. Held at The world famous Players Club Bar & Grille, which is the premiere venue for International caliber competition, riders will allow their equine partners to shine under the stars. The high energy and hugely popular “musical freestyles” shall take place patio-side where an audience of over 400 will sip cocktails and dine both ring side and on the second story patio. Each Wednesday during the winter equestrian season in Palm Beach, the elegance of dressage is showcased under the magic of starlight. In only its third season, DRESSAGE UNDER THE STARS has become one of The Winter Equestrian calendar’s most anticipated events. Five horse and rider combinations perform weekly for cash prizes and the opportunity to return to for the eighth week’s Champion round where the winner takes away a grand prize consisting of lavish gifts and a very large check. This event consistently attracts the BEST international caliber riders in south Florida. American Miniature Horses Shine at Dressage under the Stars Finale The Wee Reds performed at the Players Club Dressage under the Stars finale in Wellington. (Photograph courtesy of Linda Kern, Caribbean Dreams Miniature Horses)
Wellington, FL – A four-in-hand team of perfectly matched American Miniature Horses put on a dazzling show at the finale of the Dressage under the Stars competition at the Players Club & Restaurant in Wellington, proving that big things do come in small packages. The Wee Reds, owned by Linda Kern of Caribbean Dreams Miniature Horses in Loxahatchee, Florida, and boasting 10 National Championship and Reserve Championship titles, were the opening act of the finale at the star-studded event. Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time U.S. National Four-In-Hand Champion and a judge for the evening’s Dressage under the Stars finale, drove the award-winning Wee Reds in a cones course demonstration. Weber, who has driven the talented tiny team at two Wellington Holiday horse shows, also brought the judges in by carriage, much to the delight of the crowd. It’s No Longer a Mystery – Writer Tami Hoag Wins $10,000 Dressage under the Stars Finale at The Players Club Tami Hoag on Feliki (center) won the 2010 Top Shelf Dressage under the Stars Finale at the Players Club Bar & Restaurant in Wellington. Hoag won $10,000 worth of prizes, a $2,500 check from the Players Club and a custom made saddle from Custom Saddlery. (Photo courtesy of Frederic Roy)
Wellington, FL (March 23, 2010) – Tami Hoag consistently entertains fans with her spine-tingling mystery novels, and during the finale of the 2010 Top Shelf Dressage Under the Stars competition Hoag proved that she can also thrill the crowd and the judges while in the dressage ring. Hoag, a New York Times bestselling author and professional dressage rider, rode away the winner of the much-anticipated Dressage under the Stars finale held at the Players Club & Restaurant in Wellington, featuring over $10,000 in prizes. Hoag rode Feliki, her 23-year-old Grand Prix mare, to the victory, riding away with armfuls of prizes from generous sponsors, as well as a $2,500 check from the Players Club and a brand new dressage saddle from Custom Saddlery, valued at $3,600. “Feliki gave us a great performance and she certainly doesn’t act her age,” said Neil Hirsch, owner of the Players Club. Feliki was decked out in sparkles from head to toe. Her coat and her hooves were sparkly and she topped off her look with a gold curb rein. Hoag was ecstatic about the win. “It was awesome; I was so proud of Feliki”, exclaimed Hoag. “And the prizes were impressive. We just don’t have many dressage competitions that offer this level of prizes and it was so much fun,” added Hoag. Hoag braved coming out to compete as she was just recuperating from a flu. In addition, the weather had been cool and rainy in the afternoon, but Hoag wanted to compete. By 5 PM the night of the Finale the arena footing was perfect and Hoag said “game on”. It was a gamble that paid off handsomely for Hoag and Feliki put on show that will not soon be forgotten. |
