LEXINGTON, VA—The Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival [MADFest] and The Lexington CDI3*, presented by Täkt Saddlery, to benefit the Virginia Horse Center Foundation, will return to the Virginia Horse Center May 18-21, 2023. This year, MADFest will once again feature both a national USEF-licensed dressage competition and an international level FEI CDI3*. We are excited to share that Täkt Saddlery, which offers hand-crafted, bespoke saddles for Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing, will be returning as Presenting Sponsor in 2023. 

“After the resounding success of our MADFest in 2022, we are delighted to offer an FEI CDI3* this year in conjunction with our National Licensed Dressage Show,” said Board Member and MADFest Founder, Gardy Bloemers. This means we will be able to offer the CDI3* Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle in addition to Small and Medium Tour CDI3* divisions, Jr, YR, U25, CDIAm Small Tour and YH divisions."

Virginia Horse Center CEO Glenn Petty commented, “Last year's inaugural Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival and Lexington CDI2* was a tremendous success and we're delighted that we were approved as a CDI3* this year. Gardy and her team have done a tremendous job and we're thankful for her leadership of MADFest."

Roxanne Booth, VHC Chairman of the Board added, “We’re looking forward to welcoming new and returning competitors from the east coast. As Board Chair, I really appreciate Board Members George Williams' and Gardy Bloemers’ work behind the scenes to create this exciting addition to the spring competition calendar.”

Joanna Gray-Randle, Executive Vice President and Director of Marketing for Täkt Saddlery shared her excitement about her company’s return as Presenting Sponsor. “It has been wonderful for our company to be associated with this event which draws top regional horse and rider combinations giving them the opportunity to gain experience competing at an international level. In addition, competitors in the national show get to enjoy the atmosphere and of course watch the CDI riders.”

The Virginia Horse Center’s world-class facility features the Isabel de Szinay Complex, with expertly installed Attwood Equestrian Surfaces footing. It is an ideal competition and warm up arena for CDI classes. The renovated permanent stabling, ringside seating, extensive parking and planned special hospitality events in 2023, truly make the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival and Lexington CDI3* one of the best in the region.

Located conveniently at the intersection of Interstates 64 and 81, MADFest provides dressage riders with an opportunity to compete at the CDI level at a world-class facility. The beautiful surrounding mountains, magnificent facilities in close proximity to charming downtown Lexington with extensive lodging options, truly make MADFest a memorable competition destination.

Running simultaneous with the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival is The Keswick Horse Show, a top hunter/jumper competition. Together, these two USEF recognized disciplines offer visitors a variety of spectating options and increased exposure opportunities for both sponsors and vendors.

For sponsorship opportunities please contact Gardy Bloemers gardy@gardybloemers.com. For vending opportunities please contact Michelle King amking91@verizon.net or go to our website to learn more: www.midatlanticdressagefestival.com.

All photo credits: Susan Stickle Photography

Täkt Saddlery creates bespoke hand-crafted saddles for dressage, eventing, show jumping and the hunt field. The founders of Täkt (pronounced t-ah-kt) recognized the need for a customer-focused approach to the saddle buying experience. From the beginning, their corporate mission was simple; support their customers before, during and after each sale, deliver the highest quality products and services, and appreciate the investment their clients make in their products. They know their customers are passionate about riding, and Täkt shares that passion.  

For more information about Täkt, visit them online.

The Virginia Horse Center has hosted Lexington Spring Dressage, a national USEF licensed show which was successfully owned and managed by Rosinburg Events, LLC and Janine Malone from 2012 through 2021. Once Janine decided to scale back her scope of operations to North Carolina, former VHC President of the Board, Gardy Bloemers, led the effort to have the VHCF take on the national show and add a CDI. 2023 marks the second year of the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival and Lexington CDI and the inaugural CDI3* Grand Prix. Additional competitions include the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle plus Small and Medium Tour CDI3* divisions, Jr, YR, U25, CDIAm Small Tour and YH divisions.