March 10, 2023 – Wellington, Fla. – The Challenge of the Americas, casually known as COTA, is a highly anticipated annual event held under the lights at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. The evening is put on by The Pink Hats, a committee of equestrians who have directly felt the effect of breast cancer. International dressage riders dedicate months of rehearsal in preparation for the big evening, where a handful of teams consisting of six riders each go head-to-head showcasing their quadrille routine. Not only is it a fun-filled night, but used as a fundraiser for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Mary Ross began the event in 2002, where she vowed to have all profits donated to finding a cure as a tribute to her mother who passed away from breast cancer. As of last year, COTA has raised over $3.3 million for research purposes.
Before the five teams were set to compete, we saw exciting non-judged presentations such as; A miniature horse quadrille led by Jonathan Millar, Kelly Soleau-Millar, Charlotte McLaughlin and Alex Granato; a “Grease” themed quadrille with Jim Koford, Liz Austin, Allison Kavey and Pati Pierucci; and last but not least Lauren Chumley next to Jessie Hayes performing a pas de deux. After the opening presentations, Lee Tuman, Jeanne McDonald and Gary Rockwell took to their assigned judge’s box.
The night continued on with back-to-back grand prix quadrilles. The themes had a large variety, starting off with “Prom Night” and concluding with “Roaring 20’s.” After the three judges rate the music, harmony, technical and spacing out of 10, the four scores are averaged together for the final mark.
The results follow, listing each team rider in alphabetical order.
Quadrille Results :
1- Team BioStar – 91.500%
Tigger Montegue – Choreography, music and coaching
Rider / Horse / Owner
Betsy Van Dyke / DEM Esplendido / Tina Evans
James Koford / Adeline / James Koford
Jessie Hayes / Avatar’s Jazzman / Melissa Dowling
Kymberly Pullen / Hot Date / Hot Date Syndicate LLC
Lauren Chumley / Nikolas / Melissa Dowling
Shannon Stevens / Ferrari / Jeannette Pinard
2- Team Purina – 87.400%
Terry Ciotti Gallo – Choreography and music
Betsy Steiner – Coach
Bill Warren – Coach
Rider / Horse / Owner
Benjamin Winger / QC Roberto Cavalli / Melany Lipar
Bent Jensen / Franz Ferdinand / Claudia Sands
George Williams / Sir Velo / George & Noel Williams
Pam Goodrich / Giacomo B / Patricia Bellinger
Jaralyn Gibson / Sanford / Jaralyn Gibson
Jennifer Williams / Francis HW / Lisa & Ken Norling
3- Team Wright Dressage – 81.000%
Dianne Creech – Choreography and coach
Patti Thompson – Coach
Collier Wimmer – Music
Rider / Horse / Owner
Ali Potasky / Zig Zag / Kathy Priest & Julie Skinner
Emily Wright / Sanchez / Emily Wright
Mary Laurtisen / Jeroboam de Massa / Ellen Lazarus
Rebecca Waite / Fandi Lam / Olivia & David Aebischer
Tara Stegen / Solitico / Amie Pala
Vanessa Creech-Terauds / Daniel L / Lousie Leatherdale
4- Team Merrill Lynch – 79.000%
Alex Rozboril – Choreography and coaching
Carlos Aguera – Music
Rider / Horse / Owner
Amy Walker-Basak / Duke / Alma Ericson
Camilla Fritze / Galavant / Camilla Fritze
Karen Lipp / Mount Saint John DeLa Beaute / Christine Felker
Kerstin Wilder / Zephyr / Kerstin Wilder
Lisa Lewis / Donegal GGF / Lisa Lewis
Michelle Gibson / Walking The Line / Amy Bock
5- Team Winged Foot – 77.700%
Ruth Hogan-Poulsen – Choreography, music and coach
Emilie Goddard – Coach
Rider / Horse / Owner
Amy Speck-Kern / Clingh / Dressage4Kids
Nicole Harrington / Wizard Of Oz / Three Oaks Farm
Sahar Hirosh / Whitman / Jane & Salo Suwalsky
Susanne Hamilton / Lesath / Barbara Eisvogel
Todd Flettrich / Sublime Nadales / Margaret Duprey & Cherry Knoll Farm
Vincent Flores / Ebene de Kerquelen / Vincent Flores
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