March 19, 2013 – Wellington, Florida – Artisan Farms proudly presents FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival Week 11 held from March 20-24, 2013.  The CSI4* competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center will feature the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix held at the Stadium on the grass derby field on Sunday, March 24, at 9 a.m.

Carlene and Andy Ziegler, owners of Artisan Farms, enjoy the sport with their daughter, Caitlin.  The family’s passion for horses and show jumping inspired them to create the Artisan Farms Young Riders Series, which is presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, to help up-and-coming riders gain experience at the grand prix level while competing against their peers.  With training bases in Wellington, Florida, and Vrasene, Belgium, Artisan Farms is also committed to developing top sport horses.

2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, who trains at Artisan alongside fellow Olympian Tiffany Foster, commented, “It is very exciting to have the opportunity to build a great string of horses for the future, made possible by the support of Artisan Farms and the Ziegler family.”

One of the most innovative class series at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series is an investment today in the equestrian stars of tomorrow.  The $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix on March 24 marks the fourth event in the series this season.

Riders under the age of 25, regardless of nationality, are eligible to participate in the series which provides a valuable stepping stone from the junior and amateur ranks to the grand prix level.  Featuring fences set at 1.45m, the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series is an opportunity for developing grand prix riders to not only gain experience jumping in a team format, but also competing on grass and under the lights at night, all important elements that competitors will face as their careers progress.

“We recognized that the sport of show jumping needed a division for young riders that are capable of competing at the grand prix level,” said Carlene Ziegler.  “Our program provides a bridge from the junior and amateur divisions to the grand prix level.  The Series offers great variety with two classes at night and one on the derby field, as well as the team competition run in a Nations’ Cup format, which is one of the few opportunities that young riders have to gain experience riding as a team member.  We hope this concept of the Young Rider Grand Prix catches on at more competitions in North America.”

Nineteen-year-old Katie Dinan, who has shown in the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series since its inception three years ago, was a winner in the Series during week six riding Glory Days.  She commented, “I think it is a great series.  For me, with a new horse, it was a great thing for us to do.  It definitely feels like an amazing event to go on Friday night with a huge class.  Most of the people in here had great rounds and it is nice to see how competitive this division is.”

Nayel Nassar of Egypt was the overall winner of last year's Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series, emerging victorious over a large starting field of 56 participants.  Impressively, Nassar recently won the North American West Coast World Cup League standings, thanks in part to the experience he gained competing in the Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series.

“The Young Rider Grand Prix Series does a great job of transitioning riders into the grand prix environment,” said Nassar, 22, who will contest the 2013 FEI World Cup Final in April.  “There is more prize money than what we usually compete for, and the fact that it's an accumulated series puts pressure on the riders to stay consistent throughout.  The level is obviously high, with courses often featuring the big water, but it’s not as tough as the FEI classes.  I think it’s an ideal stepping stone, where young riders can get good mileage before attacking actual grand prix events.”

Another element of top show jumping sport that young riders will be exposed to is media training.  Riders received guidance on how to conduct themselves with the media as well as sponsors, and interviews with all winners will be filmed and included in the official FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival press releases.  In addition, the top three riders in the overall Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix Series will attend a press conference following the final event.

The winner of the 2013 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series will receive a custom saddle valued at $6,000 from Bruno Delgrange.  The highest placed U.S. rider under the age of 21 will earn a place on the USEF Young Rider European Tour, with transport generously provided by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte.  Riders are ranked based on the number of clear rounds they produce throughout the Series, which encourages, promotes and rewards consistency.

Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series Standings (after 4 qualifying rounds)

1.     Chloe Reid                     39

2.     Wilton Porter                  31

3.     Kalvin Dobbs                  29

4.     Lillie Keenan                   25

5.     Navona Gallegos           24

5.     Mattias Tromp                24

Leading by example, Artisan Farms is committed to the continued improvement and promotion of competitive show jumping.  Based in Wellington, FL, and Vrasene, Belgium, Artisan Farms is home to young rider Caitlin Ziegler, 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, and Olympian Tiffany Foster.

Artisan Farms and the Ziegler Family wish all of the exhibitors during week 11 the best of luck.