Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer and Breaking Dawn danced their way to victory in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Gold Coast Dressage Opener CDI, where they not only showed off their musical prowess but also won the Rock Star Award from Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock, Inc. Sponsored by Cunningham & Cunningham, a livestock insurance company located in Harriman, New York, the Rock Star Award highlights horse and rider combinations that excel in the Musical Freestyle classes. The winners are determined by the pair’s music selection, choreography, and overall presentation.

Holzer was thrilled to win the Rock Star Award and the Grand Prix Freestyle with Breaking Dawn, who is owned by Holzer and P. J. Rizvi. Breaking Dawn, called Edward around the barn and named after the popular Twilight movie series, is an 11-year-old KWPN gelding. Holzer said she was pleased with their musical freestyle. “This is only our second Grand Prix together. Breaking Dawn is a lovely animal and I feel honored to ride him,” Holzer said.

Holzer said Rock Star was a little nervous in the beginning of the test and even toward the middle. “Then he took a big breath before the last piaffe-passage and suddenly it was as if he said, ‘I can do it higher and I can do it better’,” Holzer said. “It was great having him end on a high note. I’ve done this long enough to know that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes horses get very tired by the end or they’re mentally struggling at the end. But Breaking Dawn pulled it all together at the end, which made me so happy.”

As the winner of the Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Rock Star Freestyle Award, Holzer won a beautifully embroidered cooler and ribbon. “We are thrilled to be sponsoring this unique award,” said Sara Cunningham. “We hope it will accent the time, effort and artistry necessary to perform a great freestyle. Our company has supported riders and their horses for over three decades and we love having the opportunity to give back to them by sponsoring this award.”

Holzer thanked Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock and said it was great to win the award because her barn is insured by Cunningham & Cunningham. “They are a great company and I enjoy working with Tom and Sara in their office,” she said. Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock offers its customers a wealth of experience and legendary customer service. Founded by Tom Cunningham, an icon in the insurance industry, his daughter Sara Cunningham is also part of the team.

Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock, Inc. offers bloodstock, care, custody and control, equine farm and ranch, horse owners liability, horse show liability, mortality, private horse owner’s liability, prospective foal insurance, race horse liability, riding clubs liability, stable liability or commercial equine liability insurance and umbrella policies. “There are many good reasons to insure your horses, but one of the main ones is because they are an investment,” Sara said. “Farms, riding schools, boarding facilities and training facilities need to be protected, just like any other business. Our rates are competitively priced and by insuring your horse or business, you can have peace of mind.”

For more information about Cunningham and Cunningham Livestock, visit their website at www.cunninghamlivestock.com.