Challenge of the Americas Grows Across Atlantic for Breast Cancer Research Spectacular Mar. 9

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Challenge of the Americas quadrille performance. © SusanJStickle.com

WELLINGTON, Florida, Feb. 14, 2018–The Challenge of the Americas, an annual dressage quadrille spectacular, has grown to more teams than ever before including a unique performance by a Netherlands squad videostreamed across the Atlantic and to be displayed during the event Mar. 9.

Riders from six nations will compete on four teams or perform exhibitions live at the challenge in the centerpiece international arena at the Global Dressage Festival grounds in the 17th year of the event designed to raise money for breast cancer research. Team Holland brings the total number of competitions squads to five.

The USEF Network will livestream the challenge that this year will focus on dressage only and not include jumpers as in previous years.

Exhibitions will be performed by Sweden’s seven-time Olympian Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven riding a Freestyle, Discover Dressage riders Kerrigan Gluch, Sarah Roda, Elena Schiefele and Sophia Schults performing a quadrille on Hampton Green Farm’s PRE horses and American team riders Catherine Haddad Staller and Heather Blitz showing a pas de deux.

Competition quadrille teams (US riders unless otherwise identified) are:

Team Winged Foot: Susanne Hamilton, Marco Bernal of Colombia, Ilse Schwarz of Australia, Bridget Hay, Yvonne Losos de Muniz of the Dominican Republic and Raul Corchuelo of Colombia. Choreographed and coached by Ruth Hogan Poulsen.

Team Purina: Kasey Perry-Glass, Charlotte Bredahl, Kim Herslow, George Williams, Betsy Steiner and Pamela Goodrich. Choreographed by Terry Ciotti Gallo and coached by Terry and Bill Warren.

Team Canada: Jaimey and Tina Irwin, Evi and Tanya Strasser, Harper Mackenzie and Patrick Battison. Choreographed and coached by Evi Pracht. Music by Karen Robinson.

Team Back on Track: Jim Koford, Noel Williams, Allison Kavey, Sallie Spenard, Nicole Levy and Betsy Van Dyke. Alternate Rider: Lauren Chumley. Choreographed and coached by Tigger Montague.

Team Holland via video from the Netherlands: Maria Anna Digman, Michelle Westerdijk, Miranda Hoezen, Renee Zomers, Sylvia van den Broek and Walda Zwart. Choreographed by Beth Zimski.

VIP tickets are available at www.challengeoftheamericas.com.

General admission tickets can be bought at the gate on the night of the event for $20. Gates open at 5 p.m.