Zada
Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y Features Olympic Selection
Trial Qualifiers, Week 8 at Winter Equestrian Festival
WELLINGTON,
FL March 15, 2004 Dressage returns to the Palm Beach
Polo Equestrian Club for the third of three dressage shows held
at the 32nd Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Zada
Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y will be held Thursday
through Sunday, March18 through 21. The finale show to the Winter
Equestrian Festivals run in Wellington features United States
Equestrian Team Federation (USETF) Qualifying Competitions for the
USETF Grand Prix Dressage Championship/2004 Olympic Games Selection
Trials and USETF Intermediaire I Championship. The show is also
the Official Region 3 United States Dressage Federation Qualifying
Competition for the 2004 North American Young Riders Championship.
The
qualifying classes for the Olympic Selection Trials are the USETF
Grand Prix on Thursday, March 18; the USETF Grand Prix Special on
Friday, March 19; and the USETF Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday,
March 21
Stars
of the dressage world will be out in full force attempting to earn
the scores that will qualify them for the Olympic Selection Trials
including five-time Olympian Robert Dover on two horses Rainier
and FBW Kennedy; Arlene Page and Claire; Susan Dutta with Gumshoes
DC; Michael Barisone and Neruda; George Williams and Marnix; Monica
Sinks and Carrera; Shelly Francis with Gala; Ruth Hogan-Poulsen
and Armando; and Tina Konyot aboard Anna Karenina.
The
Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic is the last show that
many of the riders will contest to earn scores for the Selection
Trials. Based on highest average scores in the designated qualifying
competitions nationwide during the qualifying period, which ends
June 4, the top 12 riders will be invited to compete in the Dressage
Selection Trials for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The Trials will
be held at Oaks Blenheim in San Juan Capistrano, CA, over two weekends
June 11-13 and June 17-20.
The
foreign contingent in the FEI classes at the Zada Enterprises, LLC
WEF Dressage Classic is also spectacular, with Denmarks Lars
Petersen; Colombias Cesar Parra; and Israels Oded Shimoni
entered to compete. Parra and Shimoni have already qualified with
their respective countries to compete in the Athens Olympic Games.
The Canadian riders who have dominated the Florida dressage scene
this winter will also be back Ashley Holzer, Shannon Dueck,
and Julia Vysniauskas.
Joe
Zada, Rider And Sponsor
Joe
Zada of Michigan and Florida, the sponsor of the show is also scheduled
to compete. Mr. Zada is entered with Acres Focus in the Prix St.
Georges on Thursday, and the Intermediaire I on Friday. In Wellington,
he trains with Robert Dover and Robert Ross he is also an
accomplished jumper rider. In dressage, Zada is schooling Grand
Prix, but has yet to ride it for the judges. I just havent
bit the bullet. Remembering the test is really the biggest issue,
he laughs. But I can do all the moves for you! His goal
for 2004 is to debut at Grand Prix at the 3rd Annual Zada Enterprises,
LLC Dressage at the National in November.
Riders
from the Midwest to back east are familiar with the
name Zada Enterprises, LLC and the companys griffin
logo with the Z on its hip Joe Zada designed
that logo himself from a family crest and his own affinity for griffins.
The corporate name has rapidly emerged into the spotlight in connection
with high-profile equestrian events in Michigan, Illinois, and Florida.
Joe Zadas commitment to horses has led to his support of a
long list of equestrian events through his Zada Enterprises, LLC
a corporation designated solely for sponsorships. As sole
sponsor of this weeks Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic
CDI***/Y, Zada Enterprises, LLC has offered $15,800 in prize money
and awards for riders.
A
native of Michigan and an amateur rider all his life, Zada first
visited Wellington in 1996. By 1998, Zada had purchased a home in
Wellington and launched his support of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Zadas commitment to the equestrian community includes not
only events, but also individual horses and riders. As an owner,
he sponsors competition mounts with Robert Dover, Robert Ross and
David OConnor. OConnor won the Individual Gold Medal
in eventing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics riding Zadas horse
Custom Made.
Though
Zada Enterprises, LLC evolved as a company devoted to sponsorships
primarily in the equestrian world, the reach of the support extends
to other endeavors as well, including sports sponsorships with law
enforcement agencies in the United States. In West Palm Beach, Zada
LLC sponsors The Bandits the Sheriffs Football Team;
and the Southern Florida Lawmens Softball Teams. Zada Enterprises,
LLC also funds handicapped and therapeutic riding centers in Michigan
and Colorado and organizations supporting terminally ill AIDS patients.
As
a businessman, Zada heads up a company with a diversified portfolio
ranging from venture capitals to investments in property and real
estate. The business keeps him traveling between his home in Michigan
and European countries. Thats why Wellington is so important
to me, Zada says. This is probably the only time of
the year that I do ride. I only ride during the winters. The remainder
of the year, Im unfortunately too busy working to support
the rest of the year.
Zada
is emphatic when it comes to describing his motivation for his sponsorships.
I believe in and love what Im doing. The motivation
is to promote the horse and to promote the beautiful relationship
that a rider and a horse have. He notes that he, and the people
that he surrounds himself with, keep the involvement fun and in
perspective. Thats very important to me, that we all
appreciate and realize how lucky we are to get up every day and
have these incredible horses to ride and compete and be in such
an incredible environment.
2004
WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
Show
days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival are Wednesday through
Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 am. Ticket Prices: Wednesdays are free
to everyone; Children 12 and under are admitted free every day;
Young Adults 13 to 18 and Seniors are $5 on Thursday through Sunday;
Adults are $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on
Sunday. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is located on Pierson
Road off South Shore Boulevard. For additional information, visit
www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561-793-5867.
For
ticket information for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational
Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune, visit www.TicketMaster.com
2004
WEF SCHEDULE OF COMPETITIONS
March
18 21 Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y
(Qualifier for Olympic Selection Trials)
March
24 - 28 Tampa Bay Classic CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)
March
30 - April 3 Tournament of Champions CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian
Center)
April
3 Budweiser American Invitational (Raymond James Stadium)
WEF
2004 MILLION DOLLAR GRAND PRIX SERIES
March
28 $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, presented by Kilkenny/ICH, CSI-W
April
3 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational,
Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune
CHARLOTTE
JUMPER CLASSIC CSI****
Charlotte
Coliseum, Charlotte, NC
April
9 -11 Charlotte Jumper Classic CSI****
April
11 $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte For the Charlotte Bobcat Cup
.
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