July 18th 2009 was a special day that brought together enthusiasts of the sport of Dressage for the third annual "Queensland Festival of Dressage"
The Festival was the brainchild of local rider, trainer and judge, Nicole Tough, who worked along side an ever-enthusiastic and extremely capable team including Leasa Stephen (Event Director), Gary Lung (Artwork and Design) and Keran Ainslie (Marketing & Promotions) and scores of enthusiastic volunteers, have staged one of the most informative, enjoyable and well-run events on the Australian calendar.
The inaugural event was held during the Equine Influenza outbreak in 2007 and originally formulated to bring the Dressage community together to share the sport at a time when competitions and other equestrian activities had 'ground to a halt', due to the restrictions imposed in an effort to curtail the spread of EI.
The concept of a non competition Dressage event has proved to be a winner and gives all enthusiasts the chance to enjoy the sport in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with a program designed to enlighten and entertain - it has become a winning formula!
I spoke to the Event Director Leasa Stephen who said, "Our third year has again been a huge success and many people - all volunteers - have worked together to make this a true showcase of Queensland's talent and innovative thinking. We are very proud that Queensland has taken the sport of Dressage to a wider audience and provided a spectacular event to celebrate the stars - both human and equine - and to thank the many companies and people who are behind their success."
"We are very grateful to all of our long term supporters - there are too many for me to mention here - but the generosity and support of so many people who have got behind the event and embraced the Festival as a way to develop the sport and showcase Queensland Dressage, is really encouraging and is sure to grow each year." (pictured right - Leasa Stephen and Ron Major, the popular Queensland and Northern NSW representative for Prydes Feeds)
"This year Prydes Feeds donated a tonne of feed which we sold off to the highest bidder in our very popular Silent Auction... Ron Major was at the event all day to answer questions relating to feeding the dressage horse, breeding stock and young horses, he had samples of the Prydes range in the trade area."
"Prydes have been with us since the event's inception, and are a highly valued Friend of the Festival! Their support has been fabulous and we look forward to having Prydes join us again for next year's event!"
"Speaking of Prydes ... but this time on a personal note ... my 'Gypsie Lodge' horses are going very, very well. Both of my competition horses have stepped up a level, and I have the National Dressage Championships later in the year firmly in my sights for my stallion Galanthus, at Elementary and hopefully Medium too. Galanthus is a big strong 8 year old now, developing into a fully mature Hanovarian breeding and competition Stallion. He has had a well planned preparation at each level of his training and is now well muscled with a well balanced body and mind. I give full credit for his exceptional development to his Prydes diet- EasiResponse, GroPak and a top up of Energy Pak to help him cope with the extra demands leading up to a competition and during the stud season."
"Getting back to the Queensland Festival of Dressage, we hope that people will pencil the event into their Diary for 2010 as we are already arranging new features - trouble is, one day is not enough."
"We appreciate the support that Cyberhorse has given the Festival and we all look forward to the comprehensive pictorial report which will be available soon." Leasa concluded.