Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Returns for 2016

                     Starting Gate Communications – Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series Returns for 2016

Wellington, Florida – The Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series returns to the Winter Equestrian Festival for its sixth season, offering a total of $170,000 in prize money.

Presented by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series (AFU25GPS) showcases top young talent in show jumping sport.  Open to competitors of all nationalities aged 25 and under, the AFU25GPS is sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), giving many riders their first experience competing at the 1.45m level under FEI rules.  For the final event of the Series, the top 30 riders in the point standings will be invited to contest the $50,000 CSI-U25 Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Final held on Stadium Derby Field on Saturday, March 26.

The overall winning rider will be invited to compete at the CSI2* Chantilly Horse Show, part of the Global Champions Tour, from May 26-29, 2016, in France.  In addition to their entry, the winner also receives two tickets to the Chantilly VIP lounge, transportation for one horse generously provided by The Dutta Corp. in association with Guido Klatte, and layover at Artisan Farms in Vrasene, Belgium.

In 2016, the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series will include a total of seven events as follows:

WEF 2: $10,000 ARTISAN FARMS UNDER 25 WELCOME

Saturday, January 23, 2016 – PBIEC International Arena

WEF 2: $25,000 ARTISAN FARMS UNDER 25 GRAND PRIX,

PRESENTED BY EQUINE COUTURE/TUFFRIDER

Sunday, January 24, 2016 – PBIEC International Arena

WEF 4: $25,000 ARTISAN FARMS UNDER 25 TEAM EVENT,

PRESENTED BY THE McNERNEY FAMILY

Friday, February 5, 2016 – AGDF International Arena

WEF 6: $10,000 ARTISAN FARMS UNDER 25 WELCOME,

PRESENTED BY ENTRUST CAPITAL

Saturday, February 20, 2016 – AGDF Derby Field

WEF 6: $25,000 ARTISAN FARMS UNDER 25 GRAND PRIX,

PRESENTED BY ENTRUST CAPITAL

Sunday, February 21, 2016 – AGDF Derby Field

WEF 9: $25,000 ARTISAN FARMS UNDER 25 SEMI-FINAL

PRESENTED BY SEABROOK, LLC

Friday, March 11, 2016 – PBIEC International Arena, under lights

WEF 11: $50,000 CSI-U25 ARTISAN FARMS UNDER 25 FINAL

PRESENTED BY EQUILINE

Saturday, March 26, 2016 – Stadium Derby Field

Over the past five years, the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series has proven to be a launching pad for young show jumping talent.  Past winners include 2012 U.S. Olympian Reed Kessler and two-time World Cup Finalist Nayel Nassar of Egypt, as well as Chloe D. Reid, Victoria Colvin and Lucy Deslauriers who have all represented the U.S. in international competition.

“The Series has been more successful than we ever could have hoped for,” said Carlene Ziegler who owns Artisan Farms together with her husband, Andy, and was the driving force behind the creation of the Artisan Farms Under 25 Grand Prix Series.  “We are thrilled that the USEF now recognizes the ‘Under 25’ division; it has filled a void in the sport for future Grand Prix stars.

“We are very excited to sponsor the Series for a sixth year, and wish all competitors the best of luck,” concluded Ziegler.

Leading by example, Artisan Farms is committed to the continued improvement and promotion of competitive show jumping.  Based in Wellington, FL, and Vrasene, Belgium, Artisan Farms is home to young professional Caitlin Ziegler, 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze, and 2015 Pan American Games team gold medalist Tiffany Foster.

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