Piaffe-Performance Adult Amateur Award

Lily Zilo Winner of Piaffe-Performance Adult Amateur Award Welcomes the 'Challenge' of Riding for Hong Kong 

Wellington, FL (April 7, 2014) - Piaffe-Performance Adult Amateur Award winner Lily Zilo dreams big and her award-winning success during the final week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington is fueling her determination to carry out her goal: riding for Hong Kong in September at the 17th Asian Games in South Korea.

Zilo, who trains with Shannon Dueck, stepped up her game against the professionals in Wellington, competing in her first season at the Prix St Georges level with her partner of the last 18 months, the 16.1-hand, nine year-old bay KWPN (Rhodium x Larcona) gelding, Windsor's Aron.  Their first test on Friday earned a fifth-place score of 62.105%, inspiring Zilo to return  on Saturday having finetuned their ride for a second-place clinching 64.474% effort. 

Competing at Wellington has meant riding against peers from the highest levels of the sport, which is exactly where the Piaffe-Performance Adult Amateur Award winner wanted to be in order to hone her skills before facing off against seasoned international veterans at the Asian Games.

“I know that I will compete with professionals, but as an adult amateur, I feel very proud to face the challenge of representing the Chinese people, and to let young Chinese children know that you can have a big goal and ride for your country,” Zilo remarked.  “You need to be a partner to your horse, to reward them when they are good, and to use patience and consistency when asking them to step up.” 

“Adult amateur riders like Lily, who focus on the horse and challenge themselves to keep improving, are what keeps our sport growing around the world. I hope the silver picture frame that comes with Lily's award will hold the photo of her on the medal podium in September,” said Parra.

Throughout the 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival series, Piaffe Performance Adult Amateur Awards recognized the exceptional successes of adult amateur riders, through their outstanding sportsmanship or horsemanship.

Cesar Parra, DDS, MScD, operates Piaffe Performance in Jupiter, FL and Whitehouse Station, NJ and has worked with such masters of dressage as Herbert Rehbein, Siegfried "Bimbo" Peilicke, Hans Rueben, Herbert Kuckluck and Hubertus Schmidt. Learn more about training and sales prospects at www.piaffe-performance.com

  

Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Release

We are pleased to share the good news with you that our Hong Kong Dressage rider, Lily Zilo, has recently earned the “Adult Amateur Achievement Award” at the 2013-2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida USA on 29^th March, 2014. This award recognizes exceptional adult amateurs for their success in the arena and their contribution to the sport through outstanding sportsmanship and horsemanship.

The Adequan Global Dressage Festival is the world's largest international and national dressage circuit, featuring 8 CDIs, including five CDI-Ws, one 4* and one 5*. It is the only non-championship CDIO Nations' Cup in the Western Hemisphere, and includes five national title events before its conclusion in March.        

Zilo represented Hong Kong at the 15th Doha Asian Games in 2006. Her great score of 67.237 % in last weekend’s Prix St George competition not only rewarded her with this amazing award but also qualified her for the 17th Incheon Asian Games which will be held in Korea in late September and early October this year.

We would like to congratulate her on her amazing recent achievements and look forward to seeing her competing at the Asian Games.

Hosting HKEF Official - Gerald Kuh

An unexpected and pleasant late afternoon visit by Hong Kong Equestrian Federation Official, Gerald Kuh at Windsor Stables.