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Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y Features Olympic Selection Trial Qualifiers, Week 8 at Winter Equestrian Festival

WELLINGTON, FL – March 15, 2004 – Dressage returns to the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club for the third of three dressage shows held at the 32nd Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida. Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y will be held Thursday through Sunday, March18 through 21. The finale show to the Winter Equestrian Festival’s run in Wellington features United States Equestrian Team Federation (USETF) Qualifying Competitions for the USETF Grand Prix Dressage Championship/2004 Olympic Games Selection Trials and USETF Intermediaire I Championship. The show is also the Official Region 3 United States Dressage Federation Qualifying Competition for the 2004 North American Young Rider’s Championship.

The qualifying classes for the Olympic Selection Trials are the USETF Grand Prix on Thursday, March 18; the USETF Grand Prix Special on Friday, March 19; and the USETF Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday, March 21

Stars of the dressage world will be out in full force attempting to earn the scores that will qualify them for the Olympic Selection Trials including five-time Olympian Robert Dover on two horses – Rainier and FBW Kennedy; Arlene Page and Claire; Susan Dutta with Gumshoes DC; Michael Barisone and Neruda; George Williams and Marnix; Monica Sinks and Carrera; Shelly Francis with Gala; Ruth Hogan-Poulsen and Armando; and Tina Konyot aboard Anna Karenina.

The Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic is the last show that many of the riders will contest to earn scores for the Selection Trials. Based on highest average scores in the designated qualifying competitions nationwide during the qualifying period, which ends June 4, the top 12 riders will be invited to compete in the Dressage Selection Trials for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The Trials will be held at Oaks Blenheim in San Juan Capistrano, CA, over two weekends – June 11-13 and June 17-20.

The foreign contingent in the FEI classes at the Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic is also spectacular, with Denmark’s Lars Petersen; Colombia’s Cesar Parra; and Israel’s Oded Shimoni entered to compete. Parra and Shimoni have already qualified with their respective countries to compete in the Athens Olympic Games. The Canadian riders who have dominated the Florida dressage scene this winter will also be back – Ashley Holzer, Shannon Dueck, and Julia Vysniauskas.

Joe Zada, Rider And Sponsor

Joe Zada of Michigan and Florida, the sponsor of the show is also scheduled to compete. Mr. Zada is entered with Acres Focus in the Prix St. Georges on Thursday, and the Intermediaire I on Friday. In Wellington, he trains with Robert Dover and Robert Ross – he is also an accomplished jumper rider. In dressage, Zada is schooling Grand Prix, but has yet to ride it for the judges. “I just haven’t bit the bullet. Remembering the test is really the biggest issue,” he laughs. “But I can do all the moves for you!” His goal for 2004 is to debut at Grand Prix at the 3rd Annual Zada Enterprises, LLC Dressage at the National in November.

Riders from the Midwest to ‘back east’ are familiar with the name ‘Zada Enterprises, LLC’ and the company’s griffin logo with the ‘Z’ on its hip – Joe Zada designed that logo himself from a family crest and his own affinity for griffins. The corporate name has rapidly emerged into the spotlight in connection with high-profile equestrian events in Michigan, Illinois, and Florida. Joe Zada’s commitment to horses has led to his support of a long list of equestrian events through his Zada Enterprises, LLC – a corporation designated solely for sponsorships. As sole sponsor of this week’s Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y, Zada Enterprises, LLC has offered $15,800 in prize money and awards for riders.

A native of Michigan and an amateur rider all his life, Zada first visited Wellington in 1996. By 1998, Zada had purchased a home in Wellington and launched his support of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Zada’s commitment to the equestrian community includes not only events, but also individual horses and riders. As an owner, he sponsors competition mounts with Robert Dover, Robert Ross and David O’Connor. O’Connor won the Individual Gold Medal in eventing at the 2000 Sydney Olympics riding Zada’s horse Custom Made.

Though Zada Enterprises, LLC evolved as a company devoted to sponsorships primarily in the equestrian world, the reach of the support extends to other endeavors as well, including sports sponsorships with law enforcement agencies in the United States. In West Palm Beach, Zada LLC sponsors The Bandits – the Sheriff’s Football Team; and the Southern Florida Lawmen’s Softball Teams. Zada Enterprises, LLC also funds handicapped and therapeutic riding centers in Michigan and Colorado and organizations supporting terminally ill AIDS patients.

As a businessman, Zada heads up a company with a diversified portfolio ranging from venture capitals to investments in property and real estate. The business keeps him traveling between his home in Michigan and European countries. “That’s why Wellington is so important to me,” Zada says. “This is probably the only time of the year that I do ride. I only ride during the winters. The remainder of the year, I’m unfortunately too busy working to support the rest of the year.”

Zada is emphatic when it comes to describing his motivation for his sponsorships. “I believe in and love what I’m doing. The motivation is to promote the horse and to promote the beautiful relationship that a rider and a horse have.” He notes that he, and the people that he surrounds himself with, keep the involvement fun and in perspective. “That’s very important to me, that we all appreciate and realize how lucky we are to get up every day and have these incredible horses to ride and compete and be in such an incredible environment.”

2004 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION

Show days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival are Wednesday through Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 am. Ticket Prices: Wednesdays are free to everyone; Children 12 and under are admitted free every day; Young Adults 13 to 18 and Seniors are $5 on Thursday through Sunday; Adults are $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is located on Pierson Road off South Shore Boulevard. For additional information, visit www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561-793-5867.

For ticket information for the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune, visit www.TicketMaster.com

2004 WEF SCHEDULE OF COMPETITIONS

March 18 – 21 Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y

(Qualifier for Olympic Selection Trials)

March 24 - 28 Tampa Bay Classic CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)

March 30 - April 3 Tournament of Champions CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)

April 3 Budweiser American Invitational (Raymond James Stadium)

WEF 2004 MILLION DOLLAR GRAND PRIX SERIES

March 28 $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, presented by Kilkenny/ICH, CSI-W

April 3 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational,

Presented by Publix and The Tampa Tribune

CHARLOTTE JUMPER CLASSIC CSI****

Charlotte Coliseum, Charlotte, NC

April 9 -11 Charlotte Jumper Classic CSI****

April 11 $150,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte For the Charlotte Bobcat Cup

 

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