Burbank, CA - Riders will continue their quest for a Pan American Games team berth at the Dressage at Woodside CDI*/Y/J in Woodside, CA, May 19-22, 2011. As a valuable qualifier for the Northern California region, horses and riders will compete in front of judges Axel Steiner (FEI 5* USA), Hilda Gurney (FEI 4* USA), Brenda Minor (FEI 4*CAN), and Sandra Hotz ("S" USA). In addition, this competition will serve as a qualifier for the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions (Pony Rider,...

Steffen Peters and Weltino's Magic. (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler) Burbank, CA - In sunny California, the competition for a coveted spot on the U.S. and Canadian Pan American Games teams heated up during the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J, held March 31-April 3, 2011, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank. Despite a large and talented group of international competitors, there was no stopping Steffen Peters with what the judges deemed his new "super horse", Weltino's Magic. Peters and...

Burbank, CA - California's Jan Ebeling and Rafalca displayed not only their difficult grand prix freestyle routine during the final day of the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J in but also their readiness for the Reem Acra/FEI World Cup Dressage Final in Leipzig later this month. Earning a solid 73.025% and a ticket to the World Cup as one of two North American League representatives, Ebeling and the 14-year-old Oldenburg mare (Argentinius x Ratine by Rubinstein I, owned by Amy Ebeling) seemed...

Steffen Peters and Weltino's Magic. (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - Pan American Games qualifying heats up on the West Coast as the top four riders in today's CDI Intermediaire I test earned scores over 70% from judges Jean Michel Roudier (5* FRA), Cara Whitham (5* CAN) and Jeanne McDonald (4* USA) at the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J in Burbank, CA. Ultimately, Steffen Peters and Weltino's Magic continued to impress both the judges and the audience, earning the namesake of...

Jan Ebeling riding Rafalca. (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - For West Coast riders, there was no joking around this April Fool's Day as a huge field of competitors fought for the blue ribbon in the CDI Prix St. Georges Test at the Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J. Officiating for today's class were FEI judges Linda Zang (5* USA), Cara Whitham (5* CAN), and Eddy de Wolff (4* NED). "The overall quality in the top group of this class was very good," said judge Eddy de Wolff. Emerging...

Burbank, CA – As Pan American Games fever is sweeping the nation, and winter-weary horses and riders feel the warmth of spring fever, next week's Festival of the Horse CDI-W/Y/J competition will showcase the best of California dressage at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA, March 30–April 3, 2011. The level of competition will be high: with over 200 horses entered, more than half will be competing in FEI-level tests, and 65 will contest the international CDI portion of the show....

California's Steffen Peters with his new star "Weltino's Magic". (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - Riders who dream of competing at the Pan American Games began their quest at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J in Burbank, CA, February 24-27, 2011. As the first official qualifying competition on the West Coast, horses and riders vied for scores in front of FEI judges Jayne Ayers ("I" USA), Natalie Lamping ("I" USA), and Lorraine MacDonald ("I" CAN). In addition, this competition...

Intermediaire I class sponsor LA Saddlery present the blue ribbon to owner Jen Hlavacek and rider St (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - For the second day in a row, Steffen Peters and "Weltino's Magic" wowed the judges at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J in Burbank, CA, the first Pan American Games qualifying competition of the year on the West Coast. Even as rain forced the Intermediaire I Test to be moved into the indoor Equidome, Peters and Jen Hlavacek's Westfalen gelding...

Steffen Peters & Welton's magic. (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - West Coast riders began their journeys towards qualification for the Pan American Games today in Burbank, CA as part of the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J. Contesting the FEI Prix St. Georges Test, a very competitive field of fifteen U.S., Canadian, and German riders and horses thoroughly impressed FEI judges Jayne Ayers ("I" USA), Natalie Lamping ("I" USA), and Lorraine MacDonald ("I" CAN). "Today's class was fun...

Karen Pavicic on Don Daiquiri, with Lorraine MacDonald, President of the Ground Jury. (Photo by Jennifer M. Keeler.) Burbank, CA - Sunny skies re-emerged over the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA, for the final day of the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI*/Y/J. Although only two competitors chose to contest the Intermediaire I Freestyle, both Canadian riders demonstrated how they will be serious contenders for a spot on their country's Pan American Games team. Dancing to the victory was...