For Immediate Release
Wellington, FL – December 20, 2013 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is proud to sponsor as well as host the eighth annual George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented by the USHJA as well as the Third Annual Robert Dover Dressage Horsemastership Week (RDHW) presented by Dressage4Kids, Inc. this winter at the Pam Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.
Supported by USEF, the USET Foundation, as well as ESP and Active Interest Media, publisher of Practical Horseman magazine, the prestigious George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session will once again be held at PBIEC from December 31 to January 4. Home to the world-renowned FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) and Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), PBIEC will host a five-day training session for the following 12 riders: Olivia Champ, Victoria Colvin, Sunny Drescher, Liza Finsness, Erin Fry, Samantha Harrison, Michael Hughes, Lillie Keenan, Robert Sean Leckie, Sydney Shulman, Katherine Strauss, and Mattias Tromp.
George Morris, the legendary horseman and former U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe, will lead top young riders through a comprehensive program in horsemastership throughout the week. ‘Horsemastership’ encompasses mounted sessions as well as stable management and veterinary and farrier care. Experts from throughout the equestrian world will lend their expertise in both mounted and educational sessions. The aim of the Training Session is to develop a pipeline of young “horsemasters” for future U.S. Equestrian Teams.
The daily clinics will be held in Ring 9 at PBIEC. Ring location subject to change. Please check www.USEFNetwork.com for most current information. The auditing schedule is as follows:
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2013
8:00 am Mounted session with GEORGE MORRIS – flat work Group I
10:00 am Mounted session with GEORGE MORRIS – flat work Group II
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014
8:00 am Mounted Session with GEORGE MORRIS – flat work and gymnastics, Group I
10:00 am Mounted Session with GEORGE MORRIS – flat work and gymnastics, Group II
1:00 pm Flat Work Session – ANNE KURSINSKI
2:00 pm Olympian Theory Session – GEORGE MORRIS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014
8:00 am Mounted Session with GEORGE MORRIS – flat work and gymnastics, Group I
10:00 am Mounted Session with GEORGE MORRIS – flat work and gymnastics, Group II
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014
8:00 am Mounted Session with GEORGE MORRIS – flat work, no stirrups, Group I
10:00 am Mounted Session with GEORGE MORRIS – flat work, no stirrups, Group II
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2014
8:00am Mounted Session with GEORGE MORRIS- Jumping (course) – Group I
10:00 am Mounted Session with GEORGE MORRIS – Jumping (course) – Group II
Schedule of events and locations subject to change without notice. No fee for auditors, however a donation to the USEF Foundation is appreciated.
The USEFNetwork.com presented by Smartpak will host wall-to-wall coverage from the George Morris Horsemastership Training Session presented the USHJA. The public is also welcome to audit all mounted sessions at no charge. For additional information on the 2014 George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session contact Lizzy Chesson at lchesson@usef.org.
The Third Annual Robert Dover Dressage Horsemastership Week (RDHW) presented by Dressage4Kids, Inc. will be held January 2-6, 2014, in the Van Kampen Indoor Arena at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival show facility at The Stadium at PBIEC. This special week for youth dressage riders coincides with the George H. Morris Horsemastership Training Session for youth jumping riders.
Riders for the RDHW are chosen from Dressage4Kids (D4K) Emerging Dressage Athlete Program clinics held around the country as well as from major competitions including the North American Junior/Young Rider Championships, The US Equestrian Federation Festival of Champions and the Dressage Seat Medal. Chosen participants for this year are: Kalie Beckers (LA,) Rachel Chowanec (CT,) Allie Cyprus (TX,) Lindsay Holleger (GA,) Leah Marks (GA,) Emma Patterson (TX,) Cassie Schmidt (TX,) Elle Turner (GA,) Ayden Uhlir (WA,) Bebe Davis (NJ,) Jamie Pestana (CA,) and Genay Vaughn (CA).
The clinic will feature dressage riders, coaches and judges such as Jan Ebeling, Shelly Francis, Jeremy Steinberg, Tuny Page, Debbie McDonald, Janet Foy, Linda Zang, and Robert Dover will be in action teaching the top 20 kids in America each day. All information is up at http://www.dressage4kids.org/emerging-dressage-athlete-program/.
The clinic week has been designed as an extensive educational experience for all the participants and auditors. Attendees become immersed in a week of intense dressage information. All participants begin each day of the week with a rider work-out designed by personal trainer Bob Gutowitz.
Next on the daily agenda includes participants each having lessons with top international trainers.
Trainers for this year’s event are Robert Dover, Shelly Francis, Jan Ebeling and Debbie McDonald.
In between riding sessions, participants also attend daily lectures from other top professionals that form the “team” required to make a successful and competitive international competitor. This year’s speakers are USET Team Veterinarian Dr. Rick Mitchell, sports psychologist Dr. Jenny Susser, nutritionist Dr. Mary Beth Gordon, top farrier Don Later, Jane Savioe, media professional Ken Braddick and USEF Youth Team Coach Jeremy Steinberg.
On the last day, participants will ride a test appropriate to the level of their ability and their horse’s ability. International dressage judges Janet Foy and Linda Zang will provide feedback to participants from the judge’s perspective about their performances.
Auditors for the riding portions of this clinic will be allowed to attend this year for a minimum donation to D4K of $20 per person per day. Auditors may sign up ahead of time by contacting Annie Cizadlo at 218-349-3452 or by email at kodester1@yahoo.com or just sign up at the door for the day.
Kim Boyer and Hampton Green Farm have continued extensive sponsorship of this entire event. Equestrian Sport Productions is generously donating the use of their facility, The AGDF show grounds, for all of the clinic lessons and stabling for the horses. The Dressage Connection, Horse of Course, ShowChic and Kastel Denmark are donating embroidered items. Other sponsors for the week include the Tackeria, SunBolt Embroidery and Dover Saddlery.
Additional sponsors are always needed in many capacities. Dressage4Kids, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that provides educational and competitive opportunities for youth riders in order to encourage those same riders to become true horsemen, develop good sportsmanship skills and to have fun. D4K also supports programs for adults who support and educate youth. For more information, or to donate to the organization, visit www.Dressage4Kids.com. For more information or to offer sponsorship for the RDHW clinic specifically, contact Annie Cizadlo at kodester1@yahoo.com.