PVDA Ride for Life Draws Dressage Medalists

Newsdate: Fri, 17 Jun 2011 - 09:00 am
Location: UPPER MARLBORO, Maryland

The Potomac Valley Dressage Association (PVDA) has announced that Michael Barisone, USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist and Jane Hannigan, who represented the US at the World Cup, will be riding for life in the 2011 Dancing Horse Challenge on June 25.

Mr. Barisone, a regular participant at the top levels of national and international dressage, will be sporting his freestyle form at the 2011 Dancing Horse Challenge. He has been in the elite dressage spotlight since his USDF Junior/Young Rider days and is a welcome addition to Ride for Life’s annual fundraising event to take place at Prince Georges Equestrian Center.

Jane Hannigan, has always ridden horses but became addicted to the power and beauty of dressage at 15 and has focused there ever since. She recently represented the US at the World Cup with her long time dance Grand Prix partner, Maksymilian. In Jane’s own words, “The reason I love the Ride for Life is because it helps generate money and it truly brings awareness to people that breast cancer is still a real fight.

As a community through horses we can keep people involved with the fight for life. Now people can hope for a cure, but we are not there yet. With every penny donated we can get a molecule closer to a cure. I am proud to ride for every woman's life!’ Jane will be riding a pas de deux this year with the talented young rider, Jennifer Raffi.

The Dancing Horse Challenge, will be held on Saturday, June 25th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:00 p.m).. Hailed as one of the premier equestrian nights on the East Coast, ticket holders will experience equestrian prowess, music, lights and theatrical performances. Proceeds will support The Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.

Additional riders on the bill to perform musical freestyles include Vitor Silva, acclaimed instructor and founder of the Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts, Bent Jensen, an Olympian, Grand Prix champion and trainer, Shannon Dueck World Cup and Grand Prix champion and Pan AM Games Silver Medalist, KYB Dressage (Grand Prix riders) and Dutch Chapman, a two-time NRHA World Champion and acclaimed trainer.

The PVDA Ride for Life™ Dancing Horse Challenge has become one of the largest equestrian freestyle performances in the Mid-Atlantic Region popular with both the sport horse and non-equestrian communities.

The event, which takes place at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has raised over $320,000 for The Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center
 

About the Author

Flossie Sellers

Author picture

As an animal lover since childhood, Flossie was delighted when Mark, the CEO and developer of EquiMed asked her to join his team of contributors.

She enrolled in My Horse University at Michigan State and completed a number of courses in everything related to horse health, nutrition, diseases and conditions, medications, hoof and dental care, barn safety, and first aid.

Staying up-to-date on the latest developments in horse care and equine health is now a habit, and she enjoys sharing a wealth of information with horse owners everywhere.

Subscribe