May 15, 2010

FOR RELEASE

Contact: Madge Lindsay 432-426-2339

Whit Watkins Wins Top Honors at Del Mar National Horse Show

Olympic hopeful Whit Watkins and her horse Cipriani made top scores in open competition at the Del Mar National Horse Show this past week in California. After returning from extensive training with German dressage master and Olympian, Hubertus Schmidt, Watkins and Cipriani placed first in two separate classes at the FEI Prix St. Georges level. Riding in competition with several top US international riders, Watkins beat 16 and 13 competitors, respectively, in the two separate classes with scores of 71.14% and 69.73%. Her leading score was nearly two percentage points above a former 2004 US dressage Olympian. Watkins came away with the Del Mar National Horse Show High Score FEI Level Open Rider award. Cipriani came away with the High Point Westfalen Horse award.

A resident of Fort Davis, Texas, Watkins is elated to be back in the states. "It was a great show," reflected Watkins. “Our recent training is making a nice difference…Charles has matured in many ways." The duo also finished second in the FEI Intermediate I level and fifth in USEF Developing Horse Class. The winning scores for horse and rider brings them closer to their goal as they climb the ranks in pursuit of a spot at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Reflecting on her wins and the five months of intensive training at Schmidt’s Fleyenhof training facility near Paderborn, Germany, Watkins related, "It was excellent. We have become much more focused on the fine details of a strong dressage program. We are continuing with a rigorous schedule throughout the summer." She and Cipriani, an eight-year-old German-bred Westfalen gelding, are scheduled to compete May 29th in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Horses Unlimited Dressage Challenge; and in June in Houston, Texas. Watkins has her sights set on winning the National Developing Horse Championship with Cipriani in Wayne, IL in July.

For a detail schedule of Watkins training, travel, progress and competitions go to her website at www.whitwatkins.com developed to help fans and supporters stay in touch while they follow her Olympic journey.

November 21, 2009

FOR RELEASE

Contact: Madge Lindsay 432-426-2339

Whit Watkins Takes Top Honors in USDF Regional Championship

Olympic hopeful Whit Watkins and her horse Cipriani recently took top honors in the Houston Dressage Society Autumn Classic Open Horse Show at the 2009 Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 9 Dressage Championship in Katy, TX. Winning above eight competitors in the Extreme USDF Freestyle, Watkins placed Number One with a score of 70.58%. “We had a great time and ‘Charles’ was in top form,” said Watkins.

Residents of Fort Davis, the pair also chalked up top scores in the USDF Fourth Level Freestyle and USEF Fourth Level Test Three categories at the event. Winning scores for horse and rider brings them closer to their goal as they continue to climb the ranks in pursuit of an Olympic berth in the 2012 London Games.

Recently returned from two weeks of training and competing at the 2009 Region 7 USDF/GAIG Regional Championships in California where the harmonious pair earned the Third Level Musical freestyle Championship, Watkins continues to build on her competitive edge. She and Cipriani, a seven-year-old German-bred Westfalen gelding, will depart for Germany in November to spend six months training with Olympic Medalist and dressage master, Hubertus Schmidt. “We hope to learn a great deal, strengthen our training techniques and focus our program toward the games,” said Watkins.

Following their return in the spring, Watkins plans to compete in USDF competitions in Del Mar, CA; Albuquerque, NM; and Houston, TX, with her sights set on winning the National Developing Horse Championship with Cipriani in Wayne, IL in July.

Watkins will detail her training, travel, progress, and competitions in her blog, launching soon on www.whitwatkins.com, a site that will help fans and supporters stay in touch while they follow her Olympic journey.