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History and Current Events
Our flagship competition is the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, and we are delighted to welcome PhelpsSports.com back as title sponsor for 2008. The PhelpsSports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby will be a CDI-W/Y, and the dates are February 28 to March 2, 2008. The Derby is the most prestigious international dressage competition in the country, and is recognized and respected world wide. The first Derby was held in 1983 at what was then the Hanover Horse Farm in Loxahatchee. The organizers of the original Derby were the first to bring top European judges here to the United States. The grounds were small, and allowed for only two arenas for international use and none for USEF National classes at the same time. It was not until 1999, when the newly organized Palm Beach Dressage Derby, Inc. (a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization) moved to its new home at the Horse Park, that we were able to provide a world class international competition as well as offer a full national level competition as well. Entries, vendors, advertising and attendance have multiplied yearly, with the weekend of the Derby becoming the destination of choice from visitors from all over the country as well as international visitors. The PhelpsSports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby, CDI-W/Y, for 2008 will be a USEF High Performance qualifying competition for the 2008 FEI World Cup Dressage Final, USEF National Grand Prix Championship/Olympic Games Selection Trials and the USEF National Intermediaire 1 Championship. In addition, the Derby is an Official Qualifying Competition for FEI North American Junior & Young Riders’ Championships and the USEF National Junior, Young Rider & Brentina Cup Championships. The Derby is also an Official Qualifying Competition for Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program and USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship (sponsored by Dutta Corp. and PSI). The final show in our series is Dressage at Equestrian Estates. Part of the series since 2000, the dates for 2008 are March 28 – 30, 2008. This competition will be a USEF High Performance qualifying competition for the 2008 USEF National Intermediaire 1 Championship. This competition is also an Official Qualifying Competition for FEI North American Junior & Young Riders’ Championships and USEF National Junior, Young Rider & Brentina Cup Championships. It is also an Official Qualifying Competition for Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program and USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship (sponsored by Dutta Corp. & PSI). The PhelpsSports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby, CDI-W/Y is a qualifying competition to select members of the United States Equestrian Team who will represent our country at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. Some of our best American riders have qualified at both shows in the past to go on to compete and win at the Olympic Games, the World Cup, World Equestrian Games and the Pan American Games. In 2000, the United States Equestrian Team moved their USET Final Selection Trials to our Horse Park due to the West Nile Virus scare in Gladstone. The top riders from all around the country converged on our show grounds to compete, and this special competition drew thousands of spectators to the grounds. We are again honored to have been selected to be a BLM Qualifying competition. The Colonel Bengt Ljungquist Memorial Championships were founded in 1983 in Region 1. They are open to both US and non-US citizens. For more information, please contact the Show Secretary: www.cblm.org. For the fourth year, we are hosting the very special Championship Lead Line Series, which is sponsored by PhelpsPhotos®com. An exhibition lead line class will be offered at all shows in the Derby Series, and there will be no age or physical limitation. The rules require that the rider be led at a walk both ways of the ring, and must halt and stand quietly. The class will be judged on the ability of the rider to handle and aid the horse/pony. Awards will be given for each class with championship awards given at Dressage at Equestrian Estates on April 1, 2007. For details, go to www.phelpsphotos.com or Email to mary@horsesdaily.com. In 2008, we will be celebrating our twenty-fifth anniversary, and we are looking forward to a special and very exciting year. Watch the Derby web site at www.pbderby.com for plans as they unfold and are revealed throughout the fall of 2007.
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The Palm Beach Dressage Derby Series consists of two very important competitions between March and April of each year. The series is held at the Horse Park at White Fences Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee, Florida. The developers of Equestrian Estates have dedicated over forty acres to the Horse Park, and the show grounds were designed and developed specifically for dressage. The park was designed for maximum efficiency and with the safety and pleasure of the competitor always uppermost in mind.