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Articles: Press Release
Susan Dutta and Gumshoes Dance Their Way to Grand Prix Freestyle Victory
at Zada Enterprises, LLC Dressage at National
Photo Credit: Susan Dutta and Gumshoes win FEI Grand Prix Freestyle at
Zada Enterprises, LLC Dressage at the National. Photo By: Sue Stickle.
Contact:
Chrissy Lane of
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
at (561) 753-3389 or at info@phelpsmediagroup.com
Wellington, FL - December 3, 2006 - The Mogavero Arena was a popular
destination for spectators today for the freestyle performances at the
5th annual Zada Dressage at the National, with Susan Dutta and Gumshoes
taking the blue ribbon in the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle.
Today's rides were a dazzling array of movements, including piaffe,
passage, pirouettes and flying lead changes, all ridden to a selected
score of music and choreographed specially for each rider. Music
selections ranged from classical to Elvis and Led Zeppelin.
"My music is Elvis, and it's done in an elegant way, without being to
hip-hop or rock," explained Dutta. "The beginning of it is 'Wise Man's
Dream' - the song 'I can't help falling in love with you.' It was Tim
and my wedding song, so it's always a nice song. We both like that," she
said.
This weekend's show had a special meaning for her and Gumshoes, whom she
has been partnered with for 10 years. The 15-year-old Dutch gelding has
made a return to the show ring after a two year vacation that included
six months in the pasture and a surgery to remove a split bone. The pair
earned a 72.234 percent for the win.
"The choreography has basically been tweaked over the years that we've
done this kur, and it was tweaked again because Gumshoes has been on a
two year holiday. I decided to change it a little bit again and put two
walk tour in it so that he could have a little break and breathe again,"
she revealed.
Upon finishing her test, Dutta seemed quite happy with the performance
and explained the long road that Gumshoes has taken to recovery. After
surgery and rehab, the horse came down with a virus on Tuesday and spent
the night in the hospital, making this weekend's showing questionable.
However, Dutta said that "he came back fresh and fine, so I said, 'OK!'"
Her future plans with the horse depend on their continued success in the
ring. "I mean, I think that's probably a natural thing, to try to go to
the next horse show and maybe try to qualify for the next horse show.
Yes, that's what I'd like to do. I think it looks pretty good," she
continued.
Marco Bernal captured first in the Intermediare I Freestyle aboard
Halbgott, earning a 70.417 percent. He also rode in the Grand Prix
Freestyle and placed second with Diamore.
Holding his dressage test in front of him, Bernal said, "I can read you
exactly what they [the judges] wrote - they said 'Excellent freestyle!'"
His freestyle, which is ridden to contemporary dance music, was
choreographed by Terry Gallo from KlassicKur. He added that whenever he
rides this test, he does well and earns high scores - today's 70.417
percent being the lowest score yet.
"It took me about three days to figure out exactly what the judges want
to see. You know, sometimes....they don't like exactly what you think is
the best. So today, I rode a little bit quieter with the horse a little
bit happier, and it seemed to be exactly what they liked," Bernal
explained.
Zada Enterprises, LLC, Dressage at the National completed its fifth year
today and was held from Dec. 1 through Dec. 3 at the Palm Beach Polo
Equestrian Club during the 123rd National Horse Show and Family
Festival.
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