Wellington, Florida – March 8, 2003 – It should have come as no surprise to those in-the-know that the International Dressage Judges’ Forum held at the Everglades Dressage complex owned by Norman and Rose Peslar was going to be sold-out, oversubscribed and an overwhelming success. And it was.

Everglades Dressage, located in the prestigious Grand Prix Village adjacent to the showgrounds of The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, is one of the most spectacular farms in Wellington. Architecturally beautiful with custom appointments and meticulous landscaping, Everglades Dressage boasts a complex of stabling, tack rooms, living quarters, paddocks, outdoor riding fields and a covered, yet open, and mirrored dressage arena. It is virtually the Versailles of Wellington farms.

Under the auspices of USA Equestrian, the governing body of U.S. equestrian activities, the Peslars opened Everglades Dressage to 160 of the world’s top dressage judges over a 2-day period this past week. Those judges, with the expert tutelage of famed dressage judges Hilda Gurney of California and Mariette Withages of Belgium, evaluated the performances of more than 75 horse and rider teams. It was a truly extraordinary display of the world’s finest dressage talent.

Seen amongst the crowd were dressage greats Mary Anne McPhail, Carol Lavell, Suzanne Handler, Sue Blinks, Gary Rockwell, Jane Ayers and Linda Zang, to name but a few.

Evenings were also courtesy of the Peslars’ generosity. The Peslars hosted an elegant, private dinner party at their estate in The Polo Club on one night and a dinner party for all participants at The Players’ Club on another.

The Peslars’ 21-year-old daughter, Bethany, competes with her several horses at the upper Prix St. Georges and Grand Prix levels. Bethany recently won the FEI Prix St. Georges Class aboard “Flinstone” at Dressage at The National, outscoring many seasoned professionals. Bethany’s sights are currently set on the upcoming Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo.

Bethany Peslar

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