She's chosen the same riding partner for seven years and now, Choice of Champions International has chosen Heather Mason and Zar as their COC Performance Award winners, after the longtime pair achieved a 72.275% victory in the I-1 Freestyle, presented by Everglades Dressage, at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.
Allyn Maix of Choice of Champions presents Heather Mason and Zar with Choice of Champions Performance Award
Choice of Champions International has chosen Heather Mason and Zar as their COC Performance Award winners, after the longtime pair achieved a 72.275% victory in the I-1 Freestyle, presented by Everglades Dressage, at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL.
Despite a bobble or two, Mason had nothing but high praise for the 10 year-old Dutch (Rocco x Actual) Warmblood she has been training and showing since Zar's in-hand days as a three year-old: “We had a good test. He can be a little spooky but he's been great in this ring. His changes and pirouettes were very good.
“We get along really well. He's very honest under saddle, as long as you don't act too nervous. That's the biggest thing with him – he's a big chicken,” Mason, from Tewksbury, NJ, shared with a laugh.
“The honesty and trust Zar puts in Heather were obvious in their performance,” said Allyn Max, president of Choice of Champions. “To score as well as they did, with such obedience and accuracy, is only possible when a horse and rider have built trust, which is where great performances start.”
The COC Performance Awards will be recognizing exemplary performances by horses and/or riders at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival CDI series at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Each chosen champion will receive a COC tricolor and embroidered saddle pad commemorating their exceptional performance.
Mason and Zar will set their sights on Week Three of the AGDF CDI W series, and further establishing Zar's comfort in I-1 and Prix St. Georges: “What I need to do is get more power in him still. More expression. He's very consistent. Now I just need to get a little bit more brilliance out of him.”
About Choice of Champions:
Choice of Champions, International was created in 2006 by Allyn Maix, whose 30 years in the equine industry led to fulfilling a need for specialized equine supplements that made a difference.
Learn more about the difference Choice of Champions can make for your horses, or by calling their Wellington, Florida office toll-free at (800) 868-1077.