For Immediate Release

Zopatti’s “Great Dane” Team Makes a Come Back
at Gold Coast May Dressage Show

Wellington, FL- Dressage trainer, John Zopatti and his team of dressage riders called the “Team-Z”, have been a formidable force at the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s Team Competitions over the past 5 years.  But at the most recent Gold Coast Dressage Association May show hosted May 26-27 at The Jim Brandon Palm Beach Equestrian Center, Zopatti decided not to show, so he comprised a team of  what he called “The Great Danes”.  With Zopatti on the ground, his team of Danish horses and riders carried on the tradition and won the shows team competition.

Four riders comprised the team. Zopatti’s partner and Danish Olympian, Bent Jensen was the team’s professional.  Jensen and Liberty Light scored a 66% in the Grand Prix as their contribution to the overall team win. Next up, was Adult Amateur rider, Janna Rumbough, also originally from Denmark.  Rumbough and her unstoppable PRE Andalusion, JR, turned in a score of 71.333% for their team ride.

But it was the two American young riders on their Danish mounts that sealed the team’s win.  Rebecca Cohen riding her Danish Sport Pony stallion, Tai Colido earned an impressive 72.174% to win her Training Level Test One class and give the team’s score a hefty boost.  Next Amanda Stearns piloted her Danish gelding, Charleston V to score a whopping 77.00%. That score won Stearns and Charleston their class, the team victory and the High Score of the Show Award.  Charleston V is a son of  Come Back II .  Come Back II is co-owned by Carol Cohen and currently stands in Denmark.

“The “Great Danes”  were just  that”, said a smiling Zopatti, “Orchestrating a great team is almost as much fun as being on one.” Team winners Bent Jensen and Yanna Rumbough  had scheduling conflicts, so Zopatti and his Doberman Pincher, Coco, accepted their neck ribbons at the awards ceremony. “I’m not sure if Coco knew she was supposed to be a Great Dane”, Zopatti laughed.

Photo:  The victorious Great Dane Team  represented by (L to R) Rebecca Cohen on Tai Colido, Amanda Stearns on Charleston V, , John Zopatti and Coco-who is not a Great Dane!

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