Wellington, FL (March 4, 2019) – To be successful in the world of dressage, kindness, positivity, and the welfare of the horse are of the utmost importance according to beloved International FEI Judge Cesar Torrente. It’s for this and so many more reasons that Torrente was recognized with the Premier Equestrian Award during Week 7 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. Premier Equestrian – an industry leader in manufacturing world-class footing, dressage arenas and accessories, values and recognizes equestrians with exemplary character through this prestigious award. As a part of being named a Premier Equestrian, Torrente was presented with a striking tricolor ribbon and engraved Premier Equestrian Award commemorative plaque.

Known in the dressage world as being a “rider’s judge”, Torrente approaches everything in a positive way. He knows firsthand what it’s like to work, ride, train and show. “I started riding at the age of 12,” he describes, “International competitions were always my dream. I’ve had good days and bad days,” he continues, “I know the feeling when you go out there and sometimes the horse doesn’t have a good day. I know how frustrated you can feel no matter the amount of work you’ve done, and I think it’s important that the judges understand that and are a little sympathetic to the effort the riders are giving.” Torrente goes on, “That does not mean we’re giving away marks, because that’s not correct either, but give the high marks when they come, and also give the low marks when they come, but in the end, I always try to give a little comment and a tip if I can as to how to improve the performance of horse and rider.” As a judge, Torrente has unquestionable integrity. “You have to judge mark by mark,” he says, “regardless of the horse or the person who is riding. It may be a fantastic horse who is always winning, or a horse that nobody knows, and it doesn’t matter the breed. You just have to judge what you see and that’s very important.”

Torrente is from Bogotá, Columbia and has become well known around the world through his blog and Facebook page where he continuously posts helpful advice, information and guidance for all levels of dressage riders. “I come from South America where we do not always have all the trainers or the judges to give good advice,” Torrente explains, “Sometimes the federations don’t have good ways to communicate what is changing in the FEI rules and what is changing regarding training methods. So, I started using my blog so that my community around my country would learn things like what rules have changed, or to be aware that if you do this in the ring, the judges will do that. But interestingly, what has happened, is when I go to every single show in America and even in Europe, some people run into me and say, ‘You know what, you probably don’t even know me, but I’m your Facebook friend and I read a lot of your blogs – please keep on doing them!’”

His followers know that Torrente always includes “Feeling blessed” in every one of his Facebook posts, and he has been teased because of it that he must be the most blessed person in The Americas. “I truly feel that I am,” he smiles, “I get to do what I like while being surrounded by wonderful people and wonderful horses in different places each week.” He goes on to explain that he feels it’s very important to treat everyone, horses and humans alike, with kindness. “I think it’s very important that we care about the welfare of the horse,” Torrente continues, “I think the welfare of the horse must always be present in our minds when we are training, when we’re helping, when we’re giving recommendations, and you cannot forget that.”

Torrente was the first judge to be promoted through the new FEI educational system to 4*. As a rider, he has had the honor of standing on the medal podium to receive the team gold medal two times in the Central American Games. He also won many gold, bronze and silver medals in Bolivarian and Central American and Caribbean Games. Torrente is also a corporate and arbitration lawyer by profession and despite traveling the globe to judge worldwide, he has maintained the precarious balance between his career and his passion for horses with apparent ease. He has recently accepted a position in the FEI Tribunal, which decides cases on doping, horse abuse and all disputes at the FEI level including all disciplines. He also explains that he has acquired all permits to work in the US and Canada, and is downsizing his legal practice in Columbia and is thinking about moving to the US. “I’ve been here for the entire season – using it as a try out,” Torrente says, “and I can tell you for the first two months I’ve been here, I don’t like it. I love it!” He adds, “It’s wonderful. It’s a wonderful community. It’s great to be here!”

Premier Equestrian is excited for Torrente and is looking forward to all that he will continue to bring to the sport of dressage. Premier wishes for all disciplines of equestrians and horse lovers to have enjoyable experiences with their horses, in or outside the show ring. The company is proud to offer an affordable choice for first-rate American-made products that enhance the equestrian performance of its customers. For more information about Premier Equestrian and its full line of products including footing, dressage arenas, and arena groomers, please call 1-800-611-6109 or visit www.PremierEquestrian.com.