Source: USEF

Raleigh, NC – International dressage rider Susan Dutta, a member of the Gold Medal 2007 Pan American Games team, rode into the winner's circle at the 2011 CDI3*Y/J Capital Dressage Classic in Raleigh. Dutta and her long-time equine partner, Currency DC, competed in the Grand Prix ring, winning the Grand Prix with a score of 66.319% and the Grand Prix Freestyle with a 71.025%.

"I was excited to win at Raleigh. It is a show I have gone to for years and I have always enjoyed it," Dutta said. "This was the third show back for Currency DC and he is feeling fitter and more expressive than ever."

Dutta, who splits her time between Tuny Page's Stillpoint Farm in Wellington, Florida, and training in Germany, won the USEF/Markel Young Horse Dressage National 5-Year-Old Championships in 2005 and the 6-Year-Old Championships in 2006 on Currency DC, an Oldenburg gelding. The pair made their debut in the Grand Prix ring in 2010.

"Currency DC had some beautiful trot work, passage and pirouettes during his tests in Raleigh. I will now be working on having a mistake free test and standing in halts," Dutta said, adding that Currency DC is a sweet horse to be around. "He loves to be kissed and cuddled. I feel blessed to have this talented horse in my life and I enjoy every ride and every show with him."

Dutta said she debuted her new freestyle at Raleigh, with music from the movie "Slumdog Millionaire." "It's great music for Currency DC. It's also fitting for our family because my husband is Indian. When I hit the first passage music I thought, ‘This is cool'," Dutta said.

Dutta has trained with some of the world's top dressage masters including Rudolph Zeilinger, Klaus Balkenhol, George Theodorscu, Robert Dover and Dennis Callin. She currently trains with Oded Shimoni, who also operates out of Stillpoint Farm. "Competing at the top level of the sport is not a solo endeavor," Dutta said. "It takes a great team for all of this to happen. I am thrilled that my sponsors,  Southern States Feed, Draper Equine Therapy and Vita Flex Nutrition, are along for the ride and are very supportive. I would also like to thank Dr. Rick Mitchell, my fantastic veterinarian, and my two grooms, Francesca Manely and Verty Hindell, who are the backbone of my team. I am grateful to my husband Tim and son Timmy for being so supportive of my goals. I am blessed to have such a great group of people surrounding me, and to have the support of my family."

Dutta has stayed busy competing during 2011 and now is focusing on the USEF Festival of Champions in Gladstone, New Jersey. "It's been a great year so far and I am looking forward to the future," said Dutta.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email [email protected], or call (859) 971-2277.