Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award Winners: Good Attitudes, Great Riding at the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival
Wellington, FL (February 25, 2013) – Showmanship is all about attitude and should events threaten to lob a lemon in the citrus capital of Florida, at least two Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award winners know how to make lemonade.
At the 2013 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, Lisa Wilcox and 10 year-old Pikko Del Cerro HU danced to a sweetly elegant win in the $10,000 FEI Grand Prix Special at the Wellington Dressage CDI-W presented by the Dutta Corporation, while at the Florida Dressage Classic CDI-W, Canadian duo Kelly Parsons and Courvoisier (aka, ‘Scotty’) have been smiling through their Second Level appearances.
“Stay positive, have fun, enjoy the sport and make the best of it,” grinned an ebullient Parsons, who exchanged an Ontario winter for Wellington’s warm reception for the nine year-old Dutch/Westphalian-cross. Parsons, who rides with Canadian international rider and trainer Tom Dvorak, displayed a good attitude and patience with the gelding as he graduated through the ranks and impressed Premier Equestrian, which awarded the duo a $50 gift certificate and lavish tri-color ribbon as Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award winners.
The leading supplier of equestrian equipment and arenas was also pleased to present a Premier Sportsmanship Award to Wilcox, in honor of her always-upbeat attitude epitomizing good horsemanship and sportsmanship. “I am honored,” said Wilcox. “My upbringing was key for learning good sportsmanship. Pony Club and the great instructors I’ve had were important, but mostly it was my dad teaching me that horses always come first. In our family we didn’t sit down to eat until the horses were fed.”
Wilcox’s ‘horses first’ tenet was obvious during her ride on Pikko del Cerro, explaining how it had been only the second CDI for the bay Hanoverian, and on unfamiliar show grounds: “In the piaffe, when we come out of the passage, he held his poll up nicely where I needed it while looking and listening to everything around him, which was awesome. Looking and listening is a good thing!” Pikko (Pik L x Rohweena x Rohdiamant) is a U.S.-bred stallion owned by Horses Unlimited of Albuquerque, NM. Wilcox is looking forward to developing Pikko at Grand Prix level throughout the 2013 season. Like Parsons, her empathy and optimism for her equine partner ere rewarded with a tri-color ribbon and gift certificate to Premier Equestrian as part of its Sportsmanship Award.
The Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award has been designed to recognize riders who bring exceptional character, sportsmanship, and positive attitude to the sport, while respecting their horse and fellow riders.
“We take pride in recognizing riders who not only are competitive, but kind and friendly to other competitors and show staff, put their horse first, and contribute to a positive overall atmosphere,” said Heidi Zorn, president at Premier Equestrian. “Premier Equestrian is dedicated to dressage and our goal is to provide safe and functional products. We want to promote the wellbeing of the horse and industry and are proud to sponsor this award at events across the country.”
One of America’s leading manufacturers and distributors of equestrian arenas, Premier Equestrian offers information to help owners and barn managers understand differences in arenas and footing surfaces, and has a complete line of arena grooming and maintenance equipment. Premier Equestrian also carries horse jumps and equipment, including standards, sponsor signage, and cavaletti. For more about Premier Equestrian products, including footing, dressage arenas, jumps and stable accessories, visit www.PremierEquestrian.com or call 800-611-6109.
Photo: Kelly Parsons and her mount, Courvoisier, pose with trainer Tom Dvorak after being presented with the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)
Heidi Zorn, Premier Equestrian
1-800-611-6109
