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.

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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.