West Palm Beach, FL (April 21, 2010) – Danish Olympic rider Bent Jensen turned in a spectacular ride on Saracen, an Oldenburg stallion owned by Michael Bitely, at the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s Grand Finale I, earning a 73.158% to win the USEF Second Level Test 1 Open class. Jensen and Saracen not only rode into the winner’s circle, but also took home the Highlife Cup for earning the highest score by a Warmblood at the show.
“I’m very happy with this win and about winning the Highlife Cup. I have been working with Saracen at Second Level since January and hopefully he will now move up. This was a great way to end Second Level,” Jensen said.
Jensen, who operates Bent Jensen Dressage in Wellington, said he is pleased with the seven-year-old stallion. “Saracen is easy to train, learns fast and I’ve never had a stallion that’s as easy to take to a show as he is. He is really sweet,” Jensen said, adding that he will remain in Wellington over the summer to train and teach clinics. “I am very happy that Highlife sponsors the Highlife Cup. I think it is great to recognize Warmbloods that excel, and I believe we are lucky to have a breeder of Highlife’s caliber in Florida.”
The Highlife Cup, sponsored by Highlife Farms is awarded to the highest scoring Warmblood at select dressage shows in South Florida during the 2010 winter circuit. Highlife Farms, owned by Kenny and Joan Sims, is home to world-class sport horses and is one of the country’s most prominent breeding farms. Highlife Farms offers equestrians the opportunity to buy European quality sport horses born and bred in the United States.
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“Saracen is a lovely stallion and it is always a joy to watch Bent compete,” said Joan. “Kenny and I have enjoyed sponsoring the Highlife Cup at the dressage shows, it has been a very rewarding experience.”
Highlife Farms is home to many well-known dressage horses, including Der Euro OLD, a 1998 Oldenburg gelding (Don Schufro/Waldroeschen/Wanderer), famous winner of the 2002 Bundeschampionate who is currently schooling Grand Prix with Highlife’s head trainer Olympian Lisa Wilcox. Highlife also owns Der Euro’s full brother, Der Dollar, a 2003 Oldenburg stallion that was honored in 2006 as USDF Southeast Breeders’ Champion and is currently competing in the Prix St. Georges with Jessica Kozel. Highlife Farms has many wonderful stallions including Diamond Stud out of the famous stallion Diamond Hit and elite mare Loretta.
Highlife recently hosted a Diamond Select Sale on at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, giving buyers a chance to purchase offspring from Highlife’s finest stallions including Highlife, Pilox, Highlife’s Diamond Stud, Der Dollar, Connecticut and more. For more information on Highlife Farms, visit their website at www.highlifefarms.com.
