WELLINGTON, FL - March 6, 2008 - Competing in an international field of Olympic hopefuls from the U.S., Canada, Colombia, and Australia at the PhelpsSports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y, Todd Flettrich of Wellington, FL, riding Amadeus for owner Cherry Knoll Farm earned top placings in Grand Prix competition.

In the FEI Grand Prix de Dressage, Flettrich and Amadeus earned 65.667% for 8th place in a strong field of 32 horses. In the FEI Grand Prix Special, the duo earned 66.92% for second place competing against a roster of 15 entries.

The PhelpsSports Derby was held in Loxahatchee, FL, on February 29 through March 2, and was a qualifying competition for the USEF Grand Prix National Championship / Olympic Games Selection Trials. Flettrich and Amadeus are vying to be among the top 12 horse-and-rider combinations for the national championship and selection trials to be held the last two weekends in June in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

"To sum up the Grand Prix, I thought Amadeus went beautifully," said Flettrich. "He was a bit tense at the beginning and I was trying to be very focused, but unfortunately I went off course, which cost us a few points. Amadeus really did his best. He performed the movements very, very well."

In the Grand Prix Special, Flettrich was edged out of the win, but was pleased with his horse's finish in the runner-up position. "I had a very good ride. Amadeus went very well," Flettrich said. "I did have a mistake in the one tempis, but the comments from the judges on my test were very nice."

Amadeus a 10-year-old, 17.1-hand, bay Danish Warmblood gelding, participated in the honor rounds for both of his Grand Prix classes at the PhelpsSports Derby. Flettrich was complimentary about his horse's overall performance for the weekend, noting, "Amadeus was very, very good. The horse was really wonderful and I was delighted. Amadeus did everything and it was effortless. I was extremely proud of him. We were a good team. I hope that we'll continue to do well and the scores will be even higher at the next competition."

Flettrich and Amadeus will compete next at the WEF Dressage Classic CDI3* Y/J in Wellington, FL on March 20-23. Flettrich is especially looking forward to making the debut performance of Amadeus's Grand Prix Freestyle. The competition will be held in the International Arena on footing and conditions similar to those expected at the 2008 Olympic Games, which will be staged in Hong Kong for the equestrian athletes.

"It's going to be a lot of fun! It's going to be cooler - it's at night. It's going to be wonderful," enthused Flettrich. "I'm from New Orleans and the music track for our freestyle has a New Orleans theme. I'm really looking forward to it."

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Todd Flettrich
Todd Flettrich, based in Wellington, FL, and Coatesville, PA, has earned his USDF Silver and Gold Medals and is a graduate of the USDF 'L' Judge Program. Flettrich competed at the North American Young Riders Championships (NAYRC) four times and won the Individual Gold Medal and Team Silver in 1991. Flettrich served as Region 1 Coach and Chef d'Equipe at NAYRC from 1988 through 1994. His student Catherine Malone won the Individual Gold in 2005. Flettrich has also previously coached professionals including Silke Rembacz and Lauren Sammis. Flettrich is currently accepting a limited number of clients in Florida for the 2008 season. For more information, call Todd Flettrich at 484-459-2749.
 

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