For Immediate Release

Phelps Media Group, Inc.
Media Contact: Jillian Eberlein

347-466-3797| je@phelpsmediagroup.com

Three Flags, Three Men and a Personal Best!  

Lexington, VA - May 19, 2023- As dressage horses have started to compete in the exciting 2023 Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival (MADFest) and Lexington 3* CDI, presented by Täkt Saddlery, there are numerous classes to highlight.


Today was exciting!! We had representation from three different countries from our top three placed pairs in the Grand Prix for the Freestyle class today. Gabriel Armando represented Argentina on his San Rio, Jim Koford represented the USA on Christina Morin-Graham’s Hatsjie B and Julio Mendoza Loor represented Ecuador on his own Jewel’s Goldstrike.  

Highlighted Classes


CDI 3* Grand Prix for the Special or Freestyle


Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score

1. Julio Mendoza / Jewel's Goldstrike/ Julio Mendoza / 74.326

2. James Koford / Hatsjie B/ Christina Morin-Graham/ 67.674

3. Gabriel Armando / San Rio/ Gabriel Armando / 66.739


Quote from the Winner


Julio said, “It was exciting to get my personal best despite a few little mistakes. I am very excited for the future. My horse gave me everything today and I am so pleased with him. The experience of showing here has been magnificent and I am looking forward to tomorrow’s Grand Prix Freestyle! “

CDI 1* FEI Prix St Georges

Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score

1. Marcus Orlob / JJ Glory Day/ Alice Tarjan / 72.941

2. Lauren Chumley / Edward/ Jessica Eagles / 66.706

3. Wanja Gerlach / Birdie 10/ The Stables at Normandy Farm / 65.941

CDIAm FEI Grand Prix for Amateur


Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score

1. Gardy Bloemers / Mio FS/ Gardy Bloemers / 65.784

2. Meghan Richards / Kingstown/ Meghan Richards/ 65.490

3. Leslie Lytton / Dynamic MF / Leslie Lytton / 61.422

CDIJ FEI Junior Team Test



Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score

1. Gabriella Escobar / Gazpacho Du Caet/ Kylie Dickinson / 65.556

2. Grace Lotsikas / Wachenheim/ Siobhan Byrne / 61.566

3. Keelin Craige / Capstone's Oh Henry/ Molly Abrams-Ryan / 59.747

CDIAm FEI Grand Prix for Amateur

Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score

1. Lucy Tidd / Ellert HB/ Lucy Tidd/ 61.812

Adult Amateur First Level 1 Jackpot Class


Place / Rider / Horse / Owner / Total Score

1. Beth Zielinski / BSF Ducati 696/ Beth Zielinski/ 72.778

2. Lisa Gorsuch/ Pappy Van Winkle AFB/ Lisa Gorsuch / 63.704

3. Sherri Booye / AF Lunar Eclipse/ Sherri Booye / 62.222


Beth Zielinski has been enjoying her first MADFest and had a great winning ride in our First Level Test 1 Amateur Jackpot class scoring a whopping 72.778% on her own BSF Ducati 696. Beth has had him since he was four and was an eventer up until last year before becoming a full-time dressage rider! Beth said, “He was very happy and relaxed today and just an overall good boy.” She is looking forward to receiving her jackpot winnings.

MID-ATLANTIC DRESSAGE FESTIVAL

FRIDAY HIGH POINTS


OPEN

FEI CHAMPION – Catherine Haddad Staller / Sola Diva – 66.961%

FEI RESERVE CHAMPION – Kate Knick / WF Just My Style – 62.255%

USDF 3rd/4th Level CHAMPION – Therese Evans / Zallas – 70.750%

USDF 3rd/4th Level RESERVE CHAMPION – Therese Evans / Constantine – 67.500%

USDF Training-2nd Level CHAMPION – Malinda Ziekle / Jorie – 72.200%

USDF Training-2nd Level RESERVE CHAMPION – Caroline Cox / Elissa R – 70.962%

 

ADULT AMATEUR - FEI

FEI CHAMPION – Jean Loonam / Red Hot Chili Pepper – 58.284%

USDF 3rd/4th Level CHAMPION – Rachel Corvone / Adeline – 67.250%

USDF 3rd/4th Level RESERVE CHAMPION – Marianne Campano / Burunda Harvey – 65.833%

USDF Training-2nd Level CHAMPION – Beth Zielinski / BSF Ducati 696 – 71.944%

USDF Training-2nd Level RESERVE CHAMPION – Minza Glover / Nova G. – 69.828%

 

JUNIOR / YOUNG RIDER - FEI

USDF 3rd/4th Level CHAMPION – Skylar Skalicky / Fermani C – 65.000%

USDF Training-2nd Level CHAMPION – Lottie Crawford / Get In In Ink – 68.333%

USDF Training-2nd Level RESERVE CHAMPION – Riley Carr / Sagitta – 66.800%

The MADFest and Lexington 3* CDI online auction is closing Saturday, May 20th. If you would like to bid on your favorite items, make sure to do it before it's too late!


Thanks to our generous sponsor donations from Uniqcorn Exceptionnel, American Stalls - Luxury Barn Equipment & Hardware and Stübben North America, this fundraiser is possible.


Some of the great items include Bespoke Show Breeches from Uniqcorn, Luxury Stall Fronts from American Stalls, a discount of $3,000 for a single combined purchase of $25,000 or more with American Stalls and various horse care products from Stübben North America's Equine Care Line, all the while benefitting the Sport of Dressage in Virginia! To learn more or bid on these items, click HERE.

MADFest Events


Saturday, May 20th

2pm –Lead Line, Grand Prix Freestyles and a Mid-Afternoon Wine Tasting at the Isabel de Szinay Complex sponsored by Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates. Watch our current and future high-performance riders compete and enjoy wine and light hors d'oeuvres.


Sunday, May 21st

8am-11am – Breakfast and Freestyles sponsored by Brooks Cushman.

Presenting Sponsor of MADFest
Täkt Saddlery is the presenting sponsor of the 2023 MADFest and 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.
About the Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival and Lexington CDI3*
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.  
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram