As summer comes to an end, dressage competitors across the country are preparing for the fall championship season. This weekend, close to 300 exhibitors from up and down the West Coast will once again gather for one of the largest and most lucrative championship programs in the nation as the California Dressage Society (CDS) Annual Championship Show returns to the Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA, September 19 – 22, 2013.
Returning to the CDS Championship Show will be the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 7 Dressage Championships and the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championships West Coast Series Final. Adding to the excitement, riders competing in these Regional Championship classes have the opportunity to qualify for the inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan – the first national head-to-head competition for open and adult amateur exhibitors – to be held November 7 – 10, 2013 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Every year the CDS Championship Show offers something for everyone, whether a dedicated competitor or enthusiastic fan. This show will once again award a multitude of CDS Horse of the Year titles with $20,000 in prize money across all levels from Training to Grand Prix, and expanded championship classes for juniors and young riders. Fifty-eight talented young horses will compete for top honors and more than $12,000 in prize money in the CDS Young Horse Futurity (including the Cal-Bred Futurity) for four, five, and six-year-olds, while riders will have a chance to show off their skills in the HorseShow.com/CDS Dressage Seat Equitation Challenge.
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But the CDS Championship Show is more than just great competition and awards – it’s about enjoying the annual championship experience and camaraderie. Exhibitors are invited to participate in a variety of complimentary hospitality, activities, and entertainment, including a fabulous wine tasting (courtesy of Villa Toscano) while shopping at over 20 vendors, touring the all-new “Artist Walk” displaying the work of 14 featured artists, or shopping for their next dressage prospect during the Sale Horse Presentation. Special “Masters Series” discussions will once again be held on Friday and Saturday, featuring U.S. Young Horse Champion Charlotte Jorst; FEI Junior/Young Rider coach Nadine Pestana; and High Performance Grand Prix riders and 2014 U.S. Dressage Team hopefuls Kathleen Raine and David Blake.
Saturday evening special performances will include the Visalia Rockettes Junior Drill Team; a demonstration by five-time U.S. National Champion vaulter Mary McCormick; a thrilling theatrical act by AirAligned aerial dance group; as well as musical freestyle competition with horses and riders dancing for a championship title and a year’s worth of bragging rights in the $1000 CDS Horse of the Year Grand Prix Freestyle, including Olympians Charlotte Bredahl and Hilda Gurney.
For complete information about the California Dressage Society Championship Show, including updates, schedule, ride times, and results, visit the CDS website, http://www.california-dressage.org/.