Ryan Torkkeli and Thomas Walker of Torkkeli and Walker Dressage, pictured above, have joined forces with Lisa Blaufuss of Crackerjack Productions, and Barbara Biernat of Horse and Rider Boutique to present the First Annual Paso Robles Dressage Summer Classic, presented by Templeton Farms. Taking place at Paso Robles Horse Park, the event will be held June 10-12. Courtesy photo

Inaugural event to be held June 10-12 at the Paso Robles Horse Park

–The community is invited to come out to the Paso Robles Horse Park, located at 3801 Hughes Parkway, for the First Annual Paso Robles Dressage Summer Classic, presented by Templeton Farms. Under the direction of Lisa Blaufuss of Crackerjack Productions, Barbara Biernat of Horse and Rider Boutique, and Ryan Torkkeli and Thomas Walker of Torkkeli and Walker Dressage, these dedicated professionals have been working together to bring this new event to the Central Coast.

“The four of us came up with the idea to bring this high-level dressage event to the public at this amazing facility right here in Paso Robles,” said Torkkeli. “The Paso Robles Horse Park is beautiful, it is centrally-located, and we wanted to organize a dressage event that would not only attract people from the local area, but also from throughout the state and across the nation. Thankfully, it has been coming together very well and we have many great entries and high-quality horses and riders. This event is going to be the biggest dressage show that this area has seen, so I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy what we have to offer.”

From Friday, June 10 starting at 8 a.m. through Sunday, June 12 at 5 p.m. the Paso Robles Horse Park will be filled with presentations, competitions, educational seminars, and more that will be of interest to competitors and spectators, including newcomers to the sport of dressage as well as the larger horse community. In addition, those that attend the event will enjoy a hospitality tent and a vendor village with offerings of equestrian clothing, art, jewelry, and equipment.

The dressage competition is a 2016 qualifying event for the USDF Regional Championships and CDS Championships; the Regional Adult Amateur Competition, and the CDS Junior/Young Rider Championships. One highlight of the weekend is an evening with Olympian and U.S. Dressage Young Horse Coach Christine Traurig.

“For those that are not educated about the sport of dressage, this is a great, fun opportunity to come out and see riders compete at a high level,” said Torkkeli. “They will see what we refer to as dancing horses, Grand Prix dressage competitions, and learn about the harmony between the horse and the rider. And, of course, for those that are familiar with dressage, they will appreciation this top level event.”

The show will offer sale horse presentations on Friday and Saturday, along with a new competition especially for adult amateurs – The Top Ten Stars, sponsored by Riding Warehouse. The Dressage Summer Classic has been organized to offer great education throughout the weekend with respected experts in their fields. For those that are not showing horses or competing, there is plenty to learn and enjoy – and the educational components are free!

Educational Lunch Seminars
• Offered at noon in the white pavilion
• Friday: Bridget Braden, BioRider Fitness
• Saturday: Dr. Timmie Pollock, PhD, Sports Psychologist
• Sunday: Dr. Michael Rueben, Sport Horse Performance

Ryan Torkkeli and Thomas Walker of Torkkeli and Walker Dressage. Courtesy photo

More about Torkkeli and Walker
Ryan Torkkeli, a Grand Prix trainer and competitor, trained, lived, and competed in Europe for 13 years where he experienced a successful competitive career from young horse classes to the highest levels. Specializing in the long term development of quality horses, he has produced numerous FEI horses with kind, classical training methods. Torkkeli is a popular clinician in North America and Europe, and trains both novices and professionals.

Thomas Walker, a USDF gold, silver and bronze medalist, was the youngest male rider in the United States to achieve this status. His accomplishments include being on the 2008 gold medal-winning team for Young Riders. At Dalhem Farms in Trelleborg, Sweden, he was the head dressage trainer in charge of riding and competing the stallions and teaching the other trainers. Walker has trained many horses and riders to the FEI levels, including Grand Prix, and he has had the opportunity to work for and train under some of the finest trainers in the industry.

For directions and more information on the Paso Robles Horse Park, located at 3801 Hughes Parkway, see www.pasorobleshorsepark.com. Entries for the Paso Robles Dressage Summer Classic are available at www.crackerjackproductionsllc.com. For more information on Torkkeli and Walker, visit their website at www.torkkeliwalkerdressage.com.