August 2, 2010

FOR RELEASE

Contact: Madge Lindsay 432-426-2339

Watkins in Top Three at USEF Developing Horse Championship

In spite of the long distance traveled and heavy thunderstorms at the event, Whit Watkins and her horse Cipriani fulfilled their mission in Wayne, IL by placing in the top three at the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s National Developing Horse Championships held July 22-25, 2010.

Riding against top riders and international competitors, Watkins and Cipriani won third place in the Championship event. The combined scores from two competitive classes, the Developing Horse Trials and the Developing Horse Championship Test, assured their placement in the competition. The purpose of the USEF Developing Horse Championship is to identify up-and-coming high performance dressage riders and their horses.

"It was a very interesting meeting of top horses and riders from across the country, including CA, the east coast states as well as the Midwest and the southern sections of the country" said Watkins. Because of the size of the US, this cross section of talent at one competition hardly ever takes place. It was truly a good comparison of the levels of competitiveness across the national dressage scene.

With recent wins this year at Del Mar, CA, Albuquerque, Houston and now Wayne, IL, Watkins continues her pursuit for a spot on the U.S. Equestrian Team at the 2012 London Olympic Games. To finish in the top three at the Developing Horse Championship is an excellent achievement and demonstration of Watkins and Cipriani's development as they move into the top levels of International talent.

A resident of Fort Davis, TX, Watkins and Cipriani an eight-year-old German- bred Westfalen gelding plan to compete in additional dressage events this fall and will host a demonstration ride for the public in Fort Davis. Watkins will complete additional training in Germany this year and plans to participate in several International competitions.

June 21, 2010

FOR RELEASE

Contact: Madge Lindsay 432-426-2339

Watkins Continues Top Honors at Albuquerque and Houston Horse Shows

Whit Watkins and her horse Cipriani continue their run of high-level performances, pulling in top scores at Albuquerque’s Horses Unlimited Dressage Challenge and the Houston Dressage Society’s Summer Show held in late May and early June respectively.

The duo placed first in open competition with a score of 72% in the Prix St. Georges and 71% in the Developing Horse classes in Albuquerque, substantially eclipsing the second place competitor. In Houston, they took first place in the FEI Prix St. George Open with a dramatic score of 71.842%.

Following victory performances at Del Mar, CA, and after returning from advanced training in Paderborn, Germany, the pair are continuing to climb in the Small Tour ranks in pursuit of a spot on the US Equestrian team at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

"Our next big goal is to place well at the Developing Horse Dressage Championship where we are riding against several top international competitors," said Watkins. Held in Wayne, Illinois, from July 22-25th, the USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship is for 7- to 9-year-old horses competing at the FEI Prix St. Georges level. This program is part of USEF’s initiative to recognize up-and-coming dressage talent for High Performance – not only for riders, but also for horses.

A resident of Fort Davis, TX, Watkins and Cipriani, an eight-year-old German-bred Westfalen gelding, will be competing in additional dressage events throughout the autumn and hosting a public demonstration ride in Fort Davis. Later this year, the pair will be returning to Germany for additional training and participation in several International competitions.

May 15, 2010

FOR RELEASE

Contact: Madge Lindsay 432-426-2339

Whit Watkins Wins Top Honors at Del Mar National Horse Show

Olympic hopeful Whit Watkins and her horse Cipriani made top scores in open competition at the Del Mar National Horse Show this past week in California. After returning from extensive training with German dressage master and Olympian, Hubertus Schmidt, Watkins and Cipriani placed first in two separate classes at the FEI Prix St. Georges level. Riding in competition with several top US international riders, Watkins beat 16 and 13 competitors, respectively, in the two separate classes with scores of 71.14% and 69.73%. Her leading score was nearly two percentage points above a former 2004 US dressage Olympian. Watkins came away with the Del Mar National Horse Show High Score FEI Level Open Rider award. Cipriani came away with the High Point Westfalen Horse award.

A resident of Fort Davis, Texas, Watkins is elated to be back in the states. "It was a great show," reflected Watkins. “Our recent training is making a nice difference…Charles has matured in many ways." The duo also finished second in the FEI Intermediate I level and fifth in USEF Developing Horse Class. The winning scores for horse and rider brings them closer to their goal as they climb the ranks in pursuit of a spot at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Reflecting on her wins and the five months of intensive training at Schmidt’s Fleyenhof training facility near Paderborn, Germany, Watkins related, "It was excellent. We have become much more focused on the fine details of a strong dressage program. We are continuing with a rigorous schedule throughout the summer." She and Cipriani, an eight-year-old German-bred Westfalen gelding, are scheduled to compete May 29th in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Horses Unlimited Dressage Challenge; and in June in Houston, Texas. Watkins has her sights set on winning the National Developing Horse Championship with Cipriani in Wayne, IL in July.

November 21, 2009

FOR RELEASE

Contact: Madge Lindsay 432-426-2339

Whit Watkins Takes Top Honors in USDF Regional Championship

Olympic hopeful Whit Watkins and her horse Cipriani recently took top honors in the Houston Dressage Society Autumn Classic Open Horse Show at the 2009 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 9 Dressage Championship in Katy, TX. Winning above eight competitors in the Extreme USDF Freestyle, Watkins placed Number One with a score of 70.58%. “We had a great time and ‘Charles’ was in top form,” said Watkins.

Residents of Fort Davis, the pair also chalked up top scores in the USDF Fourth Level Freestyle and USEF Fourth Level Test Three categories at the event. Winning scores for horse and rider brings them closer to their goal as they continue to climb the ranks in pursuit of an Olympic berth in the 2012 London Games.

Recently returned from two weeks of training and competing at the 2009 Region 7 USDF/GAIG Regional Championships in California where the harmonious pair earned the Third Level Musical freestyle Championship, Watkins continues to build on her competitive edge. She and Cipriani, a seven-year-old German-bred Westfalen gelding, will depart for Germany in November to spend six months training with Olympic Medalist and dressage master, Hubertus Schmidt. “We hope to learn a great deal, strengthen our training techniques and focus our program toward the games,” said Watkins.

Following their return in the spring, Watkins plans to compete in USDF competitions in Del Mar, CA; Albuquerque, NM; and Houston, TX, with her sights set on winning the National Developing Horse Championship with Cipriani in Wayne, IL in July.

Watkins will detail her training, travel, progress, and competitions in her blog, launching soon on www.whitwatkins.com, a site that will help fans and supporters stay in touch while they follow her Olympic journey.