The Central Park Horse Show, presented by Rolex and produced by The Chronicle of the Horse, is excited to announce riders for the Central Park Dressage Challenge, presented by The Axel Johnson Group. The Dressage event, held on Sept. 20th, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. at the Trump Rink in New York City's Central Park, will showcase some of the world's top horses and riders against a backdrop of skyscrapers in one of the world's most iconic venues. Olympian Steffen Peters is to show Olympic mount Ravel in a special command performance of one of the most celebrated dressage horses in U.S. history at the Central Park Horse Show presented by Rolex. The Axel Johnson Group, the presenting sponsor of the Central Park Dressage Challenge, is well-known in the dressage world through Antonia Axson Johnson, Chairman and Owner of the Axel Johnson Group, who is a long time supporter of equestrian sport.
Johnson has partnered with Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (a six-time Olympian, currently ranked fifth in the world) over the last 15 years, sponsoring top horses and top Swedish riders at many levels. She also sponsors show jumper Kirsten Coe of the U.S.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for dressage and is a great way to educate a broader audience on the intricacies of dressage and the communication between animal and human,” Johnson expressed. “I’m thrilled to see the sport showcased in such an exciting venue.”
The Axel Johnson Group is a fifth generation family business that employs more than 20,000 people around the world. Equestrian sport has been a family passion and legacy for Johnson for more than 100 years.
"My passion for dressage and my passion for the family business are two dimensions of the same legacy-concentration and focus, a long-term perspective and a touch of magic. To support dressage in Central Park is very special for me as a true New Yorker, born in the city and with Central Park as my childhood playground."
Mark Bellissimo, CEO of International Equestrian Group commented, "We are excited to partner with Antonia to elevate the sport of dressage in the U.S. and there is no greater city to do it in than New York."
Dressage riders scheduled to compete are: Isabell Werth (GER), five-time Olympic gold medalist; Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games team gold medalist; Olympian and 2014 WEG competitor Lars Petersen (DEN); American dressage Olympians Tina Konyot, Lisa Wilcox, and Jan Ebeling; Canadian Olympian Ashley Holzer; top American riders Caroline Roffman and Catherine Haddad Staller as well as top amateur PJ Rizvi; and top Canadian riders Karen Pavicic and David Marcus, members of the 2014 Canadian WEG team. The Central Park Dressage Challenge will also be the return to the show ring for American and three-time Olympian and bronze medalist Steffen Peters and his famous mount Ravel. Fans won't want to miss this amazing opportunity to see this special pair together again.
Also held during Saturday night's Central Park Dressage Challenge will be a unique demonstration from the United States Vaulting team from the World Equestrian Games, sponsored by Akiko Yamazaki.