Derby History and What's New for 2010
The Palm Beach Dressage Derby Series consists of two very important competitions between February 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.
Our flagship competition is the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, which will be a CDI-W/Y, and the dates are March 4 – 7, 2010. 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 Palm Beach Dressage Derby, CDI-W/Y, for 2010 will be a USEF High Performance qualifying competition for the 2010 Collecting Gaits/USEF National Grand Prix Championship and Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games Dressage Team. It will also be a qualifying competition for the 2010 Collecting Gaits/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). More than $12,000 in prize money and awards will be given out in 2010.
The 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 2010 World Equestrian Games to be held in Kentucky. 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.
The final show in our series is Dressage at Equestrian Estates. Part of the series since 2000, the dates for 2010 are April 2 – 4, 2010. This competition will be a USEF High Performance qualifying competition for the 2010 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).
In 2009, the new Series Championship awards program was established with prize money for competitors in the National shows of the Derby Series. The highlight of this series is the Adult Amateur High Score Grand Prix perpetual trophy with prize money of $500 and awards. Also High Score Level Awards from Training Level to Grand Prix with prize money. These championships will be awarded in a special ceremony on Sunday at the Dressage at Equestrian Estates competition. Riders must enter both shows in the Derby Series to qualify. See the rules and qualifying requirements on the web site.
We are thrilled to announce that we have formed a partnership with a group of similar non-profit shows up the East Coast to form the Signature Dressage Series. This collaborative effort was created to support an East Coast series of Dressage Events in support of various non-profit organizations. The alliance of these world class events will create year-long East Coast marketing opportunities as well as raise charitable funds for the individual causes. The Palm Beach Dressage Derby, CDI-W/CDIY will kick off the series on March 4, 2010. The Derby will be followed by Potomac Valley Dressage Association’s Ride for Life and Dancing Horse Challenge on June 26 and 27, which benefits The Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. The series culminates with Bear Spot Foundation’s Children of the Americas Dressage Invitational beginning on Tuesday October 5 and running through October 9. Freestyle 2010…Serious Fun, a fundraiser for Bear Spot Foundation for Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, will take place on Sunday, October. Please visit the Signature Dressage Series web site at www.signaturedressageseries.com to get more information and opportunities.
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 sixth year, we are hosting the very special Championship Lead Line Class, which is sponsored by PhelpsPhotos®com. An exhibition lead line class will be offered at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby on Sunday, 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 details, go to www.phelpsphotos.com or Email to mary@horsesdaily.com.
Check in often to the Derby web site at www.pbderby.com for plans as they unfold and are revealed throughout the year.
