The Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Challenge Series Awards. Jennifer Huber, riding her own Al Pacino, claimed the Adult Amateur Grand Prix High Score Award with a 67.872%, as well as the overall Grand Prix/Grand Prix Special Award. These special prizes are awarded at each level to the horse/amateur rider combinations with the highest average score at both the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W/Y and Dressage at Equestrian Estates horse shows.

 “We were really excited to offer the Challenge Series Awards this year, especially the Adult Amateur Grand Prix High Score Award,” says Show Manager Evelyn O’Sullivan. “We always have great riders that support our show series, and this was our way to thank them for their loyalty. It’s very exciting to see the amateur riders competing with such proficiency.”

For Huber, going for the Adult Amateur Grand Prix High Score award and its perpetual trophy was part of her Florida strategy, where she typically competes in seven to eight shows. Huber and Al Pacino have been paired together for seven years. She bought the German gelding when he was at Third Level and has brought him up the levels to Grand Prix, which they have been doing for three or four years.

Although the Derby has long been recognized as one of the most prestigious CDI competitions in North America and spectators flock to the event to see Olympic riders compete, it is the amateur rider that is the backbone of the sport. “It is nice that the show is recognizing the amateur and giving special attention to our achievements,” Huber says. “Sometimes as an amateur you can get lost in the crowd so it’s nice to be recognized.”

For full results, visit www.pbderby.com.

Photo: Susan J. Stickle

L-R Deborah Darwin, Mary Anne McPhail, Jennifer Huber.