Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award recipient Ayva Palos showed Hot Vienna Nights in hand at the 2015 IFSHA Friesian World and Grand National Championship Horse Show (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Palos)
Burbank, CA (October 12, 2015) – The 2015 International Friesian Show Horse Association (IFSHA) Friesian World and Grand National Championship Horse Show saw competitors of all ages showcase their prized Friesian horses as they vied for Champion titles. One young competitor stood out to the judges and show committee for her outstanding sportsmanship and attitude throughout the World and National Championships held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, California this month. The judges and show committee chose this competitor— Ayva Palos— to receive the title of “Premier Equestrian” and the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award in recognition of her winning attitude. Premier Equestrian, a leading arena and footing company, is proud to recognize exemplary attitudes by presenting this award at breed championship shows around the country.
Ayva Palos (left), with her mother Stephanie (right), was awarded the title of “Premier Equestrian” for her outstanding sportsmanship at the 2015 IFSHA Friesian World and Grand National Championship Horse Show (Photo courtesy of Avalon Photography LLC)
Eight-year-old Ayva Palos, of her family-owned Lakeshore Farm in Wildomar, California, caught the attention of show officials for her kindness toward her horse and exceptional attitude while competing. Premier Equestrian rewarded Palos by presenting her with the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award tricolor ribbon, Premier 3-step mounting block, and the title of “Premier Equestrian.”
Palos showed her two-year-old filly Hot Vienna Nights, lovingly known as “Vienna,” a Friesian and American Saddlebred cross bred at Lakeshore Farm, in hand during the IFSHA Championships. Palos made her IFSHA World Championship debut in 2012 during the Leadline division, and returned this year to compete with Vienna in the Showmanship In Hand 17 & Under division. The pair walked away with a prestigious top five placing, and a joyful memory that Palos will not forget. “I was most proud of showing Vienna in Showmanship and winning the Premier Sportsmanship Award,” she said.
Premier Equestrian supports all ages and levels of equestrians in their aspirations, and was happy to reward Palos for her great compassion towards her horse, winning attitude during the IFSHA Championships, and ability to succeed at the daunting task of showing a filly at such a young age. “It is important to be nice to your horse to be able to win, because if you don’t treat your horse nicely, she will not perform well,” Palos stated. “If you don’t win, it is ok, you still did great!”
The filly’s disposition and performance with her up-and-coming handler shined bright to the judges, spectators, and show officials. “She is an extremely sweet ‘in your pocket’ horse,” Ayva’s mother Stephanie Palos said while describing her young daughter’s partner. The Palos family has shown at the IFSHA Friesian World and Grand National Championship Horse Shows since 2010 with their part bred Friesians, and they have collectively acquired over 24 World Championship titles. Stephanie Palos also showed Vienna at this year’s championships in the Trail, Sporthorse in Hand, Halter, and Liberty divisions. Vienna in total wrapped up the competition with the impressive title of High Point Partbred Friesian In Hand.
Premier Equestrian is proud to recognize the youngest Palos for exemplifying an exceptional attitude beyond her years, and is happy to add to her confidence as she continues to grow in the equestrian world. The Palos family plans to start saddle training Vienna next year, and Ayva Palos is already looking forward to showing her as a junior rider.
Premier Equestrian is strongly dedicated to the development of riders and equestrian sports. The company’s products are popular among riders competing at any level. Premier Equestrian is appreciated by some of the world’s top competition venues and equestrians alike for its world-class arena footing, revolutionary horse jumps, educational information, and picturesque dressage arenas. For more information about Premier Equestrian and the exceptional products the company has to offer, visit www.PremierEquestrian.com or call 1-800-611-6109.
