News Article on German Dressage at the Dressage Affaire

The Dressage Affaire
Reprinted from the June 2004 Issue of Riding Magazine

By Erin Gilmore

Jennifer and Georgia Griffiths' Petit Danseur were the FEI High Point Award Winners at the Dressage Affaire. Jennifer also won the Most Classical Rider Award. Photo by Terri Miller.

The Dressage Affaire, held the weekend of April 17 – 18 at the Del Mar Horsepark just outside of San Diego was a beautifully staged event, and highly successful in its first year. Show manager and organizer Kim Keenan wanted to host a different type of show to expose amateurs to the kind of upper level features that they aren’t often able to experience at lower levels. Reminiscent of a popular dressage extravaganza that used to be held in the area, but hadn’t been for many years, Kim strove to resurrect that show’s elegance and popularity. During its run that show was loved by all. “It brought a very elegant experience to our area, similar to shows in Europe,” says Kim. “So we expanded on our spring show, made it into a three day, and added new features to create that elegant atmosphere again.”

The extensive efforts paid off, and plans are already in the works for next year. All of the amateur classes were $500 classes, and with division champions in both Open and Amateur divisions, riders were competing not only for the title of first, but for valuable prizes (of $100 to $300 value) and cash. Although next year the format may be tweaked a little, this year division champions were decided by averaging their scores in two classes (such as Training Level Test 4 and First Level Test 1, or First Level Test 4 and Second Level Test 1).

Kim decided it would be neat to have an additional, unique award that would grab the attention of spectators and competitors alike. The Most Classical Rider award was decided by the judges on the rider’s overall performance over the weekend. Jennifer Hoffmann of German Dressage in Encinitas took home the title and a beautiful relief sculpture.

Last June, show organizers learned that the Dressage Affaire would also include Olympic Qualifier classes. That addition raised the show up another level of prestigiousness. The show subsequently drew a very high caliber of riders hoping to move on to the Olympic Selection Trials (to be held in San Juan Capistrano in June). Guenter Seidel and his two mounts, Aragon and Metropolitan, took the top two placings, respectively, in the USEF Grand Prix Olympic Qualifier and the USEF Grand Prix Special Olympic Qualifier.

With a lot of support from sponsors, the show was able to provide some very special and unique features that had competitors raving. All stalls were bedded and ready for competitors when they arrived, and each barn was greeted with welcome bags of carrots, apples and product samples. The show featured a wine and hors d’ouvres party on Saturday night for everybody. The part was donated by Del Mar Dressage and included a D.J. On Sunday, 250 spectators took part in a champagne brunch while the freestyles were taking place in the elegantly transformed indoor arena. Next year Kim hopes that the party and brunch will be even larger. Another fun feature was the Del Mar Team Challenge. Competitors named their teams, which were made up of one Open rider and three Amateur riders or four Amateur riders, and competed for a $3,000 top prize over the weekend. Competing in a team added extra excitement and became very popular, and the awards ceremony included neck sashes and flowers. The Dynamic Divas were the winners of the Del Mar Team Challenge, with a score of 66.58%. The team included Christina Clemons riding Analiese, Pamela Vendetti riding Absolute Joy, Susan Walker riding Facet and Elizabeth Ball Cousyn riding Raphael. The “Boys of Color” team placed second, and “Amateurs Anonymous” were third.
With 145 horses participating, and competitors traveling from all over the Western United States, the Dressage Affaire was a resounding success. In a time when the dressage community is coming together to present their sport more appealingly to the public, the elegant touches and unique features made the Dressage Affaire come together in a beautiful, spectator friendly display of the sport.