Wellington, FL (January 22, 2016)— As the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival is officially under way, select Adult Amateur competitors will be honored throughout the twelve-week series with the Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Achievement Award. The award is presented by Dr. Cesar Parra of Piaffe Performance, and is designed to recognize successful Adult Amateur riders who contribute to the sport of dressage through participation, sportsmanship, and horsemanship. Kicking off the 2016 season, Parra was pleased to award Jane Springer of New York with the Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Achievement Award for competing consistently as an amateur at the Grand Prix level of competition. Springer was presented with a tricolor ribbon, an engraved silver photo frame, and a medal for her continued efforts in dressage.

Springer competes in the Grand Prix with Talent, her 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood. Springer has been training Talent with Olympian Robert Dover since the horse was only three years old. She has trained him up through the levels and has returned to the Adequan Global Dressage Festival show grounds in Wellington, Florida, to continue competing this season.

“Talent and I have a lot of inspiration to ride in the FEI classes this year,” Springer said. “He is getting up there in age, so we do more moderate work with him now and try to preserve him. I hope to be doing this with Talent for the next three years.”

Springer hopes to inspire other amateur riders to go down centerline at any level this year. She stated, “I have a lot of friends that I have sort of ‘paved the way for’ since I am an amateur competing in the big-time shows. My friends and fellow amateurs watch me in the shows and tell me that it is great to see me out there competing against the highest level of riders. I am happy to give the amateurs encouragement to get out there and accomplish their goals.”

Springer expressed her gratitude for receiving the award from Dr. Cesar Parra, who sponsors the award on behalf of his training and showing program Piaffe Performance. Piaffe Performance will continue to present the Adult Amateur Achievement Award each week of CDI competition at the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, which Piaffe Performance is also a sponsor of.

“It is very exciting to see amateurs who love the sport actively competing,” Parra stated. “It’s not just for the ribbons, it’s for the love of the horse and the sport. It is fantastic to see the amateurs rise up the levels and compete in the Grand Prix. They are a huge support and encouragement for the fellow students, the professionals, and the equestrian sport itself.”

Parra himself also had a successful show during the Week 1 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. He earned a 72.206% and captured the blue ribbon with Fashion Designer OLD, an Oldenburg gelding (Faustinus x Hauptstutbuch Forst Design, by Deniro), in the USEF Developing Prix St. Georges. Parra was pleased with Fashion Designer OLD and his performance in the class, and is eager to see what the rest of the season will bring. “Fashion Designer is starting to show himself to be the world class horse I always believed he was,” remarked Parra. “He is learning all the Grand Prix movements so easily, he is really a joy to ride and train.” 

In addition to presenting the Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Achievement Award throughout the twelve-week 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival CDI series, Parra and Piaffe Performance will also be sponsoring the International Arena Rider Lounge, and the Hospitality Tent by the National Arenas. The Piaffe Performance Rider Lounge and Hospitality Tent will provide drinks and snacks for all riders to enjoy as they relax before or after their tests.

Piaffe Performance is based out of Jupiter, Florida, and Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, and is an Official Partner and Sponsor of the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Piaffe Performance specializes in selecting, training, and showing, and facilitates the sales of top dressage prospects for riders at every level. For more information on Piaffe Performance, visit www.piaffe-performance.com. 

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Photo: Dr. Cesar Parra is proud to present Jane Springer with the Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Achievement Award during Week 1 of the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (Photo courtesy of JRPR – no photo credit necessary).