Ocala, FL – February 27, 2017 – Sovereign, ridden by Lisa Goldman (USA), was the recipient of the Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Award during the CSI2* HITS Ocala Masters, the sixth week of competition at the 2017 HITS Ocala circuit at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, FL.
Equis Boutique, a luxury tack and apparel shopping experience, is sponsoring the Best Presented Horse Award for the second consecutive year at each International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Horse Inspection held throughout the ten-week HITS Ocala circuit, 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, and at other FEI-sanctioned events held throughout the United States.
Lisa Goldman aboard Sovereign, groom Felipe Reyes (left) and fellow Red Coat Farm
team member Kim Woodsum (right) are presented with the Equis Boutique Best Presented Horse Award
by Equis Boutique representative Alex West (center) at HITS Ocala in Wellington, FL.
PC: ESI Photography
The FEI Horse Inspection for the Ocala Masters, sanctioned as a CSI2* event by the FEI, was held Wednesday, February 22, at HITS Post Time Farm. The FEI Ground Jury, led by President Flora Baptiston of Brazil, evaluated the appearance and condition of horses jogging for FEI competition and acknowledged the work of Goldman and her groom, Felipe Reyes, by naming Sovereign as Best Presented.
“I was really surprised when I heard that we won,” said Goldman, 27, who rides out of Red Coat Farm in Hawthorn Woods, IL. “I was wearing the USA rain jacket that I got while riding on the [USEF] Developing Riders Tour this summer, so I like to think it was my outfit! But, seriously I am lucky to be able to work with grooms like Felipe who do such a good job keeping my horses looking great.”
Reyes prepared Sovereign, an 11-year-old Selle Français stallion (Frontal x Galoubet A) owned by Barbara Disko, for FEI competition at HITS Ocala and is a longtime member of the Red Coat Farm team.
“I am very honored to win,” he said. “I enjoy working with Sovereign, and I am very happy to be honored like this.”
Of Reyes, Goldman noted, “Everyone loves having him around. He knows what the horses need, and I know I never have to ask him to do anything – it is already done.
“I feel like this award really steps up the level of competition,” continued Goldman. “Paying attention to how the horses are taken care of is part of the whole picture of FEI competition.”
Goldman, who recently returned to competition after being sidelined in September with a broken collarbone, went on to enjoy a ninth place finish in the $50,000 CSI2* KindredBio Grand Prix riding Sovereign on Sunday, February 27.
In recognition of the Equis Best Presented Award, Reyes received a commemorative vest while Goldman was presented with a $100 gift certificate to Equis Boutique.
Equis Boutique is a shopping experience for the discerning equestrian and offers the most convenient and luxurious choice for top equine brands to dress both the horse and rider. Featured brands available at Equis Boutique include Dy’on, euro-star®, Flex-On, KASK, Kentucky Horsewear, Kingsland Equestrian, Manfredi Equestrian, Parlanti, and Theria Bits.
Visit Equis Boutique throughout WEF in the Vendor Village at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. For more information, please visit EquisBoutique.com, or look for Equis Boutique on Facebook and Instagram! Email info@equisboutique.com for questions on the stores and their products.