Gladstone, NJ (June 12, 2012) – Sixteen-year-old dressage rider Rebecca Cohen faced many challenges during her quest for success at the 2012 USEF Dressage National Championships in New Jersey. Despite the fact that Downtown, her 17.2 hand Westphalian gelding, spent more time with the veterinarian than in the dressage arena, Cohen and her mount proved their star power and bounced back from the setbacks. The duo rode to victory in the Junior Division, taking the Reserve Championship title. Rebecca Cohen and Downtown won the National Junior Dressage Reserve Championship at the 2012 USEF National Championships at Gladstone. Just weeks prior to the Festival of Champions, Downtown, aka Daddy, was hospitalized with a leg infection; Cohen was unsure if she would be able to compete at all.  After making a full recovery and showing himself strong enough to make the trip to New Jersey, Daddy’s trials and tribulations were not over as he colicked when they arrived, just days before the prestigious show.  The chestnut gelding showed his mettle, however, and despite the setbacks pulled through the colic and took his rider to victory. “When we arrived in New Jersey, he didn’t ship well and I couldn’t ride him for a few days,” Cohen said, adding that they were uncertain about whether they would be able to compete. “Daddy did get better and the first day I rode him was the day before the show so we didn’t have a lot of time to prepare.” Cohen and Daddy earned a score of 67.378% in the Junior Team Test and a 69.500% in the Junior Individual Test to ride away with a 68.493% combined total and the 2012 Junior Dressage Reserve Championship.

Wellington, FL (June 12, 2012) – Claudia Gundersen and Mirage, a Danish warmblood gelding, proved their grit and persistence during the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s May Show, where thunder, lightning, wind, and rain threatened to upset their performance.  Gundersen, who trains with her mother, Mikala Gundersen, was undaunted by the bad weather, and returned to the show ring the next day to win the Training Level Test 2 class with a 67.5%.  Gundersen’s poise and determination won for her the Custom Young Ambassador award, which seeks to recognize outstanding young dressage riders at various shows on the Florida circuit. Claudia Gundersen and Mirage were the winners of the Custom Saddlery Young Ambassador Award during the GCDA May Show Gundersen has also only been riding Mirage for a few months, and this is their first show.  “Since he is a new horse, I want to continue to show him as much as I can, and to get a lot of experience.  This show was a nice test for us, with lots of challenges, but I think in the end it was a positive experience.”  Gundersen added that she wanted to thank Custom Saddlery for sponsoring the award, and was happy with the prize of a set of Dressage Sport Boots. “We started the Custom Young Ambassador award to recognize driven young dressage enthusiasts as they competed their horses,” said Cary Wallace, President and Master Saddle Fitter at Custom Saddlery. “Young riders like Claudia are the future of dressage and we are happy to encourage and promote their enthusiasm for the sport and their love of their horses. Wallace also said that the Young Ambassador awards and promotions are part of an ongoing program to highlight the importance of young riders to the sport and proper saddle fit for both horse and rider.  Wallace said.

Saugerties, NY – June 11, 2012 - Olympian Margie Engle and Elm Rock Partners LLC’s Royce continued their domination of HITS-On-The-Hudson this weekend when they claimed their biggest victory to do date during the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix on Sunday. The pair posted a double clear effort to top the 27-horse field, racing to the top of the leader board by almost three seconds during the jump-off. Margie Engle and Royce won the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix. (Photo by ESI Photography) “Royce is still young, but he just keeps getting better and better,” commented Engle of the eight-year-old Oldenburg stallion. “He’s a very smart horse, and he’s got all the quality and all the jump in the world. The rideability in between the jumps has gotten a lot better in the last month, so I am thrilled with the way he is coming along.” For the first round of the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, Engle and Royce showed over a very technical track that included an open water and a difficult triple combination to a tall, skinny vertical

Bromont,Quebec– Jonathan Holling of the United States won the 2012 Volvo Bromont CCI3* Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, on Sunday, June 10, in Bromont, Quebec.  The CIC3* division was won by Karen O’Connor of the United States.  It was a clean sweep for the USA, with O’Connor also winning the CCI2* division and fellow American Buck Davidson winning the CCI1* division. Jonathan Holling of the United States won the Volvo Bromont CCI3* Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, with Downtown Harrison. Representatives of title sponsor Volvo Canada presented Holling with the Todd Sandler Trophy. (Photo by Cealy Tetley, www.tetleyphoto.com) Holling of Ocala, FL, led the CCI3* division from beginning to end riding Connie Holling’s eight-year-old Trakehner gelding Downtown Harrison.

Bromont,Quebec– The Volvo CCI3* Bromont Three Day Event, The Todd Sandler Challenge, began with dressage competition on Thursday, July 7 inBromont,Quebec.

Wellington , June 7, 2012- Peter Leone and Monica Carrera’s Lincourt Gino have consistently been in the money at important Grand Prix events this spring. Last week, Leone and Gino were fifth in both the $25,000 and the $75,000 Grand Prix at HITS on the Hudson in Saugerties, NY. Lincourt Gino and Peter Leone at Old Salem Spring Horse Show (Photo by Parker/Russell The Book LLC) “Gino just keeps feeling better and better,” confided Leone. “Unfortunately, I made a mistake in the jump-off on Sunday.