Dressage Arenas - Horse Dressage Arenas

Premier Equestrian, LLC Becomes Platinum Sponsor At The Del Mar National Horse Show Del Mar, CA (April 13, 2012)– Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, is pleased to announce they will be providing the arena footing at the Del Mar Arena at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California. Premier Equestrian will also be a Platinum sponsor of the Del Mar National Horse Show, one of the oldest and more prestigious competitions in the Western United States.

“We are very excited to have a presence at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It is the premier arena and show facility in Southern California,” said Premier Equestrian co-founder Mark Neihart. “Premier has installed the footing in the main arena at Del Mar, which will be a great benefit to all of the riders competing at this fabulous facility.” Premier features an Arena Footing Division with products that include GGT Footing, ProTex and Prostride Crumb Rubber. “We have installed a blend of GGT Textile Footing with a mixture of sand in the main arena at Del Mar, which will provide superior traction and cushion for the horses competing,” Neihart said. Premier Equestrian will also have a booth at the Del Mar Fairgrounds during horse shows, giving exhibitors and spectators a chance to learn more about different types of footing. One of the goals of Premier is to educate horse owners and help them understand what type of footing is best. Neihart said it is important to understand the difference between good and bad footing. “Good footing will protect a horse from lameness issues and enhance the horse’s performance by giving the horse a consistent surface to ride on. Cushion, shear prevention and the resulting traction are things to expect from a good footing surface,” he said. “Bad footing is footing that is too hard, too deep or rolls. Bad footing affects the bio-mechanical movement of the horse and can prematurely wear out joints, tendons and ligaments. Some footings can permanently cause lameness.” This is Premier’s first year as a sponsor at The Del Mar National Horse Show, which last year purchased Premier’s signature “Brentina Dressage Arena” which was used at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the United States Dressage Federation’s National Symposium in 2011. “We love being on both coasts of the United States because not only are we thrilled to be Platinum sponsors at the Del Mar National, but we are also active in the show scene in Wellington, Florida. We are the Official Dressage Arena Fencing Provider of Wellington’s new world-class dressage circuit, the 2012 Global Dressage Festival,” Neihart said. Premier Equestrian also offers a complete line of horse jumps and horse jumping equipment, including jump standards, gates, walls, jump cups, jump poles, sponsor jumps and cavaletti. For more information on all Premier Equestrian products visit their website at www.PremierEquestrian.com or call 800-611-6109. Photo: Premier Equestrian is pleased to announce they are Platinum sponsors of The Del Mar National Horseshow at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Premier is a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps and stable accessories, and will be supplying the horse arena footing at the California facility. (Photo courtesy of Premier Equestrian)

Dressage Arenas - Horse Dressage Arenas

Natalie Pai Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award At Global Dressage Festival National Horse Show II Wellington, FL (April 9, 2012)– Fourteen year old dressage rider Natalie Pai was all smiles at the Global Dressage Festival National Horse Show II, and thanks to her positive attitude she rode away with the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at the new state-of-the-art Global Dressage Festival show grounds in Wellington. Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, sponsors the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award.

Pai, who rides out of her family’s Canaan Ranch in Middleburg, Virginia and trains with Lynda Alicki, competed her German Riding Pony Charlie at the show. “I have been riding Charlie for five years and he is now 13-years-old,” Pai said. “I thought our trips went really well. He did great changes.” As the winner of the Sportsmanship Award, Pai won a gift certificate for $100 worth of Premier products and said she was looking forward to picking something out. “I know Natalie will be able to find a wonderful must-have item on our website or in our catalog,” said Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian. “I want to congratulate Natalie and Charlie on their great show and especially let Natalie know that her fantastic example of sportsmanship didn’t go unnoticed. Being a good sport is a wonderful trait and will make Natalie a better person and a better competitor as she goes through life.” Zorn said Premier is excited to have a presence on the South Florida dressage circuit. “We sponsor the Sportsmanship Award at the dressage shows at the Wellington dressage shows and at the Winter Equestrian Festival. We also supplied all of the dressage arena equipment and dressage letters at the Global Dressage Festival,” Zorn said. “It has been great to hear so many positive comments about the Global Dressage Festival facility. Premier is honored to have provided the rings for this amazing new international venue.” While Premier is known for their dressage arenas -- they also supplied the dressage arenas for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky – they are also known for their footing. Their horse arena footing includes GGT Footing, ProTex and Prostride Crumb Rubber. “Premier was responsible for adding the GGT Footing to the arenas at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center for the World Dressage Masters and we also supplied the footing for the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex,” Zorn said. Premier Equestrian has a fantastic line of dressage equipment, jumping equipment, rubber mats, barn and stable accessories, books and DVDs. Premier also sells a complete line of horse jumps and horse jumping equipment, including jump standards, gates, walls, jump cups, horse jump poles, sponsor jumps, and cavaletti. For more information on all Premier Equestrian products, including footing, dressage arenas, jumps and stable accessories, visit their website at www.PremierEquestrian.com or call 800-611-6109 Photo: Dressage rider Natalie Pai won the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at the Global Dressage Festival National Horse Show II. Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, jumps, and stable accessories, sponsors the Premier Sportsmanship Award and the winner receives a $100 gift certificate from Premier. (Photo courtesy of JRPR – no photo credit necessary)

Premier Equestrian Horse Dressage Arenas

Tara Stegen Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award At $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI At Global Dressage Festival Wellington, FL (April 6, 2012) – Tara Stegen and her long-time equine partner Tango rode into the winner’s circle in two FEI Grand Prix classes at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI at the Global Dressage Festival show grounds in Wellington. The duo not only won blue ribbons in both classes, but also won the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award, sponsored by Premier Equestrian LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories.

Stegen was thrilled to take home the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award, and said she believes the secret to being a good sport is having fun. “I believe 90% of being a good sport is having fun and loving the fact that you are riding your horse. Whether your horse is panicking and running away from a judges box or jumping through the air, we need to remember we love our animals and that’s why we are here,” Stegen said, adding that her love for Tango is still going strong. “Tango is now 17 years old and I got him when he was only two-and-a-half years old and only 10 days broke.” Stegen and Tango have had great success over the years, including being the second alternate for the Pan American Games team in 2003 and placing seventh overall in the Grand Prix at Gladstone in 2009. “We have had a lot of fabulous wins over the years and there has never been a dull moment,” she said. “Tango has always been hot. He’s not as hot as he was, but he’s still hot.” Stegen also competed Laroche at the show in the Intermediaire I classes. “Laroche is an 18-hand Holsteiner that I did everything but break,” Stegen said. “It was a great show for both of my horses and I want to thank Premier Equestrian for sponsoring the Sportsmanship Award.” The Premier Sportsmanship Award is being presented throughout the winter show circuit in Wellington and each winner receives $100 worth of Premier products. Heidi Zorn, President of Premier Equestrian, congratulated Stegen and Tango on winning the Sportsmanship Award. “Tara is a really great competitor and that goes a long way in the show world. She always has a smile on her face and goes out of her way to help her fellow competitors,” Zorn said. “Our goal with the Premier Sportsmanship Award is to reward riders who are out there giving it their all while also having a positive attitude that rubs off on others.” Zorn added that presenting the Sportsmanship Award at the Global Dressage Festival show grounds has special meaning for Premier Equestrian. “We supplied the dressage arena equipment and dressage letters at the Global Dressage Festival and it’s thrilling to see the world’s top horses competing in our arenas,” Zorn said. Premier Equestrian also offers a complete line of horse jumps and horse jumping equipment, including jump standards, gates, walls, jump cups, horse jump poles, sponsor jumps, and cavaletti. For more information on all Premier Equestrian products, including footing, dressage arenas, jumps and stable accessories, visit their website at www.PremierEquestrian.com or call 800-611-6109 Photo: Dressage rider Tara Stegen won the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at the $15,000 Wellington Dressage Classic CDI at the Global Dressage Festival show grounds. Premier Equestrian, LLC, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, jumps, and stable accessories, sponsors the Premier Sportsmanship Award and the winner receives a $100 gift certificate from Premier. (Photo courtesy of JRPR – no photo credit necessary)

Dressage Arenas - Fact and Fiction

Premier Equestrian Founders Discuss Arena Footing Facts & Fiction At ShowChic’s “Shop Talk” Wellington, FL (March 27, 2012) – Mark Neihart and Heidi Zorn, founders of Premier Equestrian, LLC, were the guest speakers at “Shop Talk” at ShowChic Dressage Boutique, formerly known as Sho Clothes, where they treated guests to a talk on Arena Footing Facts & Fiction. Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, took it one step further during the evening when they invited guests to bring samples of their arena footing for a free analysis.

“Mark and Heidi did a great job of explaining the differences in footing and what good and bad footing can do for you, your horses and your arena,” said Michele Hundt, owner of ShowChic. “It was really great that they let everyone bring in footing samples for a free arena analysis because determining whether the footing in a riding arena is good or bad is often a daunting task for horse owners. We all want to have the best arena footing for our horses, and Premier certainly taught us how to make that possible.” While Premier is known for their dressage arenas -- they provided the dressage arena equipment for the new Global Dressage Festival in Wellington as well as the dressage arenas and dressage letters for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky – Premier is also known for their footing. Arena footing amendments are mixed with sand, and Neihart said the free analysis they did for the Shop Talk guests will determine the particle shape and size of the sand granule. “The test will analyze the sample, including the particle size and shape of the sand, telling us if it is course or fine and what percentage of each sized particle makes up the sample provided. We use this test to determine the suitability of the sand for our products, GGT Footing, ProTex and Prostride Crumb Rubber, which can be added to the sand to help get the most protection and performance from an arena,” Neihart said. Neihart has extensive footing experience, recently constructing three equestrian arenas at the prestigious Al Asayl Equestrian Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE. “No matter where you are located, most people experience problems with their footing,” Neihart said. “Sand comes in all shapes and sizes and some sands are much better than others to use in arenas. Depending upon factors such as access to water, climate, indoor or outdoor, and the footing product you are using in the sand, the sand type matters.” Hundt said that Neihart and Zorn did a great job throughout the evening educating everyone on the importance of footing. “We had a wonderful evening and Mark and Heidi were delightful,” she said. “I also want to thank the Gold Coast Dressage Association for co-sponsoring our evening and providing the refreshments.” While ShowChic is a new name for the store formerly known as Sho Clothes, Hundt said they are the same great store but changed their name to reflect their chic selection of dressage clothes. Hundt said she is encouraging dressage riders to visit ShowChic, still located at 3220 Fairlane Farms Road in Wellington. “We offer the finest in dressage apparel and we stock the following name brands: Arista, Cavallo, Kentuck, Pikeur, Samshield, GPA and Charles Owen. We also offer beautiful handmade stock ties, stock pins, Carol Ehrlich jewelry and more,” she said. “You will find that we have a huge inventory of clothing with fabric and color selections that change weekly.” For more information on ShowChic, visit their website at www.shoclothes.com  or call them at             561-319-2121       .    Photo: From left to right, Heidi Zorn, Michele Hundt, Mark Neihart, and Krystalann Shingler at the ShoChic ShopTalk. Zorn and Neihart, of Premier Equestrian, discussed arena footing during the ShopTalk, which was hosted by Michele Hundt of ShowChic, formerly ShoClothes. (Photo courtesy of JRPR—no photo credit necessary)