Wellington, FL (April 17, 2015) – Young riders were the stars of both the party for Florida International Dressage Youth Festival competitors, families, and trainers, and the Young Rider Ride a Test held at the Kane family’s Diamante Farms this season. The events— sponsored and supported by Terri and Devon Kane, Sarah and Michael Davis, and Kim and Fred Boyer— were close to the hearts of these families, who believe in supporting the future of dressage. Devon Kane herself was the 2007 NAJYRC Individual Gold Medalist and a Team Bronze Medalist. The Davis’ daughter Barbara (“Bebe”) was a 2014 Silver Medalist at the U.S. Championships and was Champion in the FEI Junior Individual Test. Kim Boyer is host to Lendon Gray’s Winter Intensive Training Program at her Hampton Green Farm and actively supports Gray’s Dressage4Kids program.
The party for Florida International Dressage Youth Festival riders, families, and trainers took place during the 2015 Florida International Dressage Youth Festival, which was held at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival show grounds as part of the international show series. The Young Rider Ride a Test clinic at Diamante Farms was also held during the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and helped riders prepare for the competitive youth classes.
Jochen Arl of Equestricon brought four international champion riders from Europe to compete in the Young Riders and Junior divisions as part of the 2015 Florida International Dressage Youth Festival. The four were thrilled to be welcomed at Diamante Farms by the Kanes, Davises, and Boyers to meet talented young riders from America. The young European riders— Dana van Lierop and Rosalie Bos from The Netherlands, Vivien Niemann from Germany, and Arl’s daughter Antonia from Belgium— swept the competition at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival’s Youth Festival. Jochen Arl’s Equestricon owns three out of four horses imported to the USA for the competition. All four youth, as well as Jochen Arl and trainer Carmen de Bondt, attended the party at Diamante Farms and enjoyed getting to know their fellow competitors. The Kanes, Boyers, and Davises were happy to welcome the European youth and all young riders to Wellington. Held for the third consecutive year, the youth party at Diamante Farms has grown tremendously from its first year to this year’s international gathering.
“We are here to join the Americans in their CDI in the youth division,” Jochen Arl said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to be here for us, and also for the Americans to compete against them.”
He added that what has happened to dressage in North America is amazing and he believed it is ideal for his daughter, 14-year-old Antonia, to compete against the riders from Canada and the United States.
Carmen de Bondt from Belgium, Antonia Arl’s trainer, has taken both of the Arl girls to Championships in Europe. “She’s doing very well,” de Bondt said of Antonia. “She is just coming off the ponies. It’s a bit overwhelming for her because she’s really quite young and people forget because she looks 17 years old.”
European Young Riders Champion, Germany’s Niemann, rode her tests with 70s across the board. “We all wanted to ride here, to participate in the Championship, and we are all lucky enough that Mr. Arl from Equestricon is actually helping us with the costs and shipped us here,” she said.
Bos also achieved consistent scores. “I think it’s going great,” Bos said, “Especially because it’s our first time in the Young Riders division.”
The young Europeans expressed their thanks to the sponsors of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, and especially to the Kanes, Davises, and Boyer for making the youth feel so welcome in Wellington, Florida and giving them great opportunities to learn and network.
As head trainer at Diamante Farms, Devon Kane not only believes in promoting the world’s youth riders, but also assists them in achieving success. Diamante Farms boasts an indoor and outdoor arena with world-class footing and houses twenty-one horses, half of which are currently competing. The facility offers top-quality training, clinics, boarding, and sales, and Devon Kane is dedicated to achieving the best performance possible in her horses. For more information about Diamante Farms, visit www.DiamanteFarms.com or call 561-307-2831.
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Photo 1: The Kanes, Davises, and Boyers continue to support dressage’s future generation at the youth dressage party at Diamante Farms. Back row from left to right: Micheal Davis, Fred Boyer, and Kim Boyer. Front row from left to right: Sarah Davis, Devon Kane, and Terri Kane. (Photo courtesy of JRPR— no photo credit necessary) (Click on picture for high res. copy of photo)
Photo 2: Young European riders enjoy the youth dressage party at Diamante Farms. From left to right: Vivien Niemann of Germany, Christoph Niemann (Vivien’s father), Antonia Arl of Belgium, Jochen Arl (Antonia’s father and owner of Equestricon), Dana Van Lierop of The Netherlands, and Rosalie Bos of the Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of JRPR— no photo credit necessary) (Click on picture for high res. copy of photo)
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(Copy and paste or click on link for high resolution photo): http://jrprweb.com/Photos/index.php/Diamante-Farms/Youth-Shine-at-Diamante-Farms-and-atFlorida-International-Dressage-Youth-Festival2
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