Dawn Dorland Wins Leading Rider Award at 4th Annual Zada Enterprises, LLC Dressage at the National

Wellington, FL - December 4, 2005 – The 4th Annual Zada Enterprises, LLC Dressage at the National in Wellington, Florida, wrapped up today at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club with a special awards ceremony in the FEI ring. Dawn Dorland, 34, of Loxahatchee, Florida, earned the Leading Rider Award for achieving the highest score posted at the three-day show. Dorman scored 73.636% in Training Level Test 1, open to Adult Amateurs, Juniors, and Young Riders. Dorland’s mount, Bear Animation, a five-year-old Appaloosa gelding, received the Leading Horse Award for his performance.

On receiving the Leading Rider award Dorland said, “It’s really, really amazing. It just goes to show that with the right dressage training, any horse can do well at the lower levels. You’ve got to have the right basics and fundamentals. If you skip it, these judges can tell. We’ve been working on his fundamentals for a long time. Being an Appaloosa, none of this comes to him naturally. He has to learn one step at a time how to do everything. He’s got to work hard to get every score he gets.”

Dorland and Bear Animation achieved the high score of the show in their test on Friday, December 2. She noted the attributes of her horse that helped earned the percentage. “He was really light, he was carrying himself, and he was forward.” On her score sheet, the duo received all 7s and 8s, with one 6, on the individual movements. In the Collective Marks, the pair received encouraging scores and comments from the judge, Col. A. R. Kitts: 14 on Gaits, “good potential”; 16 on Impulsion, “nicely forward”; 14 on Submission, “willing horse”; and 16 for the Rider, “nicely ridden.”

Bear Animation, a “bay with snowflakes on his rump” is a foundation Appaloosa, a horse that is almost pure Appaloosa blood without any outbreeding. “There are not many of those around anymore,” explained Dorland, who has been a devotee of the breed for most of her life. She described her mount as, “extremely quiet and laid back. He loves to show.” She has owned the gelding for two years and done all the initial training. An Emergency Room Nurse at Palms West in Wellington, Dorland currently boards and trains with Lisa Payne-Hyslop at Oak Hammock Farm in Loxahatchee.

A hunt seat rider for 15 years, Dorland began riding dressage on-and-off eight years ago, “but I never made it out of Training Level with my last horse,” she laughed. “Now we have one we’re going to move on with.” She calls it a tough transition from hunt seat to dressage. “It was definitely a big awakening. Dressage is definitely a lot more work. There’s a lot more riding.”

Though she recognizes the attributes of warmbloods in dressage, Dorland remains committed to the Appaloosa breed. “Appaloosas were my first horse when I was a kid and that’s what I stuck with. It’s my choice to ride them – not because I’m stuck with them – that’s what I want to ride. I want to be the different one in the ring.”

This year was the first time Dorland had competed in the Zada Enterprises, LLC Dressage at the National. She had attended as a spectator last year and had hoped to be part of this year’s competition. For her success at the show, Dorland gave credit to her husband of five years, John Dorland, for his support. Not a ‘horse person’ when they met, now John says that he “does everything with horses but ride.” Of his wife’s achievement, he noted, “I’m very proud of her and the dedication that she puts in dressage. Believe me, she is dedicated to it.”

In addition to the Leading Horse and Rider Awards, Champions and Reserves in the High Score Award standings for this year’s Zada Enterprises, LLC Dressage at the National were awarded to riders and horses from First through Fourth Level, and the Junior and Young Riders. Winners received ribbons and prize money for their accomplishments. The High Score Champions and Reserves were:

First Level - Christopher Hickey and Tango, 71.324% Champion
Valerie Eric and Maximus, 71.111% Reserve

Second Level - Beverly Zimmer and Eurythmic, 69.474% Champion
Heather Houck and Tacolando Triple R, 67.895% Reserve

Third Level - Terrie Nichols and Renaissance, 70.833% Champion
Gary Lane and A'Sherif Af Hvarre, 66.429% Co-Reserve
Jan Brons and Winzerin, 66.429% Co-Reserve

Fourth Level - Patti Pierucci and Mejorano, 69.302% Champion
Jane Savoie and Menno PM, 68.372% Reserve

Junior & Young Rider

Erin Moran and Widerhall, YR Team 65.222% Champion
Arianne Weiss and Nowah, JR Individual 61.923% Reserve

PHOTO CREDIT: Dawn Dorland on Bear Animation PHOTO by Susan Stickle