Everglades Dressage Rider Achievement Award Goes to Kelly Parsons for AGDF 5 CDI 4*/3*
Wellington, FL (February 17, 2014) – In dressage, every ‘through’ ride is its own achievement, and Kelly Parsons of Georgetown, Ontario proved her mettle recently during the fifth week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. With a win in Third Level Test 2 (64.756%) on Saturday, a reserve in Third Level Test 1 (65.263%) on Friday, and a reserve in Third Level Test 3 (63.077%) on Sunday with her Dutch warmblood, Courvoisier, Parsons earned the Everglades Dressage Achievement Award, which recognizes exceptional progress or performances made by riders across all levels. The pair, who had competed last year at Second Level, successfully broke into third level during their first rides at the 2014 Global Dressage Festival.
Parsons praised Scotty, her 11-year-old equine partner of the last three years, “For trying hard for me. We hadn’t ridden a whole test yet, just working hard on parts of it. This was the first time putting it all together.”
She also acknowledged her “eyes on the ground,” Jen Kerr, her trainer, Amy Speck-Kern, and her husband: “I wouldn’t be here climbing the levels if it weren’t for the support I get from my husband, Darrell. He’s always been behind my equine adventures.”
“I’m really, really proud of her,” said Speck-Kern. “Scotty is such an honest horse, you couldn’t have asked for more from their first tests of the season. He was very through and showed good self carriage.”
Everglades Dressage presented Parsons with an embroidered saddle pad as part of the Achievement Award for her exceptional performances.
“I’d like to go as high as we can,” said Parsons. “Learning the ‘feel’ of this level has helped make things clearer.”
“To progress up the levels and successfully bring a horse out for the first tests of their season is an achievement, and we congratulate Kelly and her team,” said Bethany Peslar of Everglades Dressage, a 2003 USDF Gold Medalist, 2006 Brentina Cup Reserve National Champion and USEF High Performance Grand Prix rider known for her support of U.S. equestrian programs and own model facility, Everglades Dressage. Based in the Grand Prix Village of Wellington, Everglades Dressage offers training, sales, and breeding of execeptional dressage horses. Learn more at www.evergladesdressage.com.
Photo: Endel Ots (center) presents the Everglades Dressage Achievement Award to Kelly Parsons(left) of Rolling Rock Stables and her groom Jennifer Kerr. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)
Bethany Peslar Everglades Dressage (561) 784-4075 EverGlaDressage@aol.com www.evergladesdressage.com
