Dressage Is Tracking Up at The Jacksonville Equestrian Center
With top tier arenas, an indoor coliseum like no other in the area and over 400 permanent stalls, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center provides everything a dressage rider needs to enjoy competing with their equine partner. The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is becoming the go-to destination for dressage-focused equestrians, so it should come as no surprise that in the past month there were two dressage shows and in the upcoming month two more are on the calendar.
Host to the First Coast Classical Dressage Society’s annual shows and clinics, the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, a premier Northeast Florida venue, offers a world-class showing experience to the society’s members. Lisa Beardsley, Vice President of the First Coast Classical Dressage Society, said, “We have been having shows at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center since 2014. Our first year, we held 3 shows. Since then, we have put on 5 shows a year; all but one have been held at the equestrian center.”
The First Coast Classical Dressage Society plans to stay with the Jacksonville Equestrian Center long-term. “We have dates booked with the Jacksonville Equestrian Center through the end of 2018, and ‘requested to reserve’ show dates through 2020,” said Beardsley. During the Spring Dressage Challenge held April 21, they had thirty entries featuring a unique event called a showposium. “The show was enjoyed by all. Our judge for the weekend, Cheryl Holekamp, “S”, from Ocala, came up on Friday to host private lessons with our members. Education spilled over into the weekend during our Showposium, with each entry riding their test and receiving immediate feedback and hands on training right afterwards.”
In addition to the Spring Dressage Challenge the NFDA Schooling Show was held on April 21. The event ran two arenas all day with classes ranging from Western Dressage to Fourth Level test one. Judges on hand were Charlotte Trentelman and Lisa El-Ramey.
Coming up in the month of May, South East Horse Shows will host the May Day Qualifier on May 12th, and on May 19th NFDA is hosting another Schooling Show.
Known for its extensive amenities and ideal location. The Jacksonville Equestrian Center is only a short drive to the city and beautiful beaches, The Jacksonville Equestrian Center’s 80-acre facility also houses four permanent barns with 422 stalls, 78 full hook up RV spaces, indoor and outdoor vendor spaces and an adjacent Olympic sized swimming pool. For more information and to learn more about upcoming events, visit www.jaxequestriancenter.com or call (904)-255-4215.
Photo 1: Sandi Lucas and Helius showing off their winnings after a successful show. (Photo courtesy of First Coast Classical Dressage Society)
Photo 2: Jacksonville Equestrian Center set to host numerous upcoming shows this summer and fall. (Photo courtesy of SDP Photography)
