If there’s one night that truly defines the South Florida dressage winter show season, it’s the Challenge of the Americas—where world-class dressage meets electrifying entertainment, all in the name of breast cancer research. Held under the lights at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival showgrounds, the 2025 COTA was a spectacular fusion of sport, showmanship and serious sparkle.
With Wicked jumpers showcasing jumping and dressage talent, Pas de Deux pairs bringing rock’n’roll to life, an emotional individual freestyle leaving not a dry eye in the house, and five Grand Prix quadrille teams dazzling an international panel of judges, this was the biggest and pinkest night of the season. Whether you came for the top-level precision, the outrageous costumes or just to bask in the feel-good energy of a sport rallying behind an incredible cause, COTA 2025 proved once again—when horses, heart and a whole lot of pink come together, magic happens.
The Challenge of the Americas would not be possible without the help of our generous sponsors and tireless volunteers. Thanks to The Pink Hats Mark and Amy Bozzone, Margaret H. Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm, A. Ronald Johnson and Elizabeth (aka Beth) Stauber-Johnson, Ph.D., and Mr. and Mrs. Steffen (Barbara) Wolff. We can’t forget our amazing sponsors and those who donated everything from saddle pads to costumes to bell boots to practice arenas.
A village of volunteers wove the intricate pieces of the Challenge into a night to remember. From the top riders, talented choreographers, eagle-eyed coaches, hard-working grooms, and the horses who thrive on the applause to the artistic florists, non-stop auction set-up crew, performance night snack providers, COTA Committee members, and a myriad of helpers the night of the event, COTA relies on an army of single-minded people intent on challenging breast cancer.
We are tickled pink to invite you to enjoy a recap of photos by Susan J. Stickle of the 2025 Challenge of the Americas.
Leeza Keegan, a fifth grader at Palm Beach Elementary, impressed us with her rendition of the National Anthem to kick off the 2025 Challenge. Leeza has been a proud member of Young Singers of the Palm Beaches for the past three years. She was thrilled to participate and not only does she love horses, she volunteers every Sunday at the New Spirit farm in Lake Worth, Florida.
There’s no place like COTA—especially when the jumping Flying Soleau Quadrille transforms the arena into the Emerald City itself! This year’s jumping quadrille took a Wicked turn as Christine Carlson, Cayden Hill, Kelly Soleau, and Rachel Wilks brought the magic of Oz to life, soaring over fences in full character costumes as Glinda, Fiyero, Madame Morrible, and an Emerald City guard. Miniature horses made an appearance as the Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion to the delight of the crowd.
Meanwhile, dressage rider Allison Kavey—channeling the Wicked Witch—commanded attention in the arena as she piaffed and passaged in a dramatic display of upper-level dressage moves. With thrilling jumps and seamless music and choreography by Tigger Montague, the Flying Soleau riders didn’t just ease on down the road—they took flight in a spellbinding display of equestrian artistry.
Forget the shadbellies and stiff white breeches—at the Rockin’ Dressage Derby with music compiled by Tigger Montague, Grand Prix riders traded their traditional attire for wild wigs, glitter and full-throttle rockstar energy. With a packed arena buzzing like a sold-out concert, three Pas de Deux pairs took center stage in a high-octane dance-off, where precise pirouettes met pure rock ‘n’ roll.
Tina and Jaimey Irwin from Canada cranked the volume all the way up to claim the winning ride, but their competitors—Lauren Chumley & Tai Parrish and Jennifer Williams & Amanda Perkowski—gave them a serious run for their money. The riders grooved through the first three minutes of their freestyle with practiced precision, but then came the twist—the final minute was a complete surprise! With the music shifting unpredictably, quick-thinking and improvisation became the name of the game. By the time the final hoofbeats echoed through the arena, one thing was certain—rock ‘n’ roll and dressage make one epic duo.
Marcus Orlob and the breathtaking JJ Glory Day delivered a freestyle performance that was nothing short of dramatic while under the lights at the Global Dressage Festival showgrounds. Designed exclusively by Tigger Montague for the evening, their ride was a heartfelt tribute to those battling breast cancer, the survivors who inspire us and the loved ones we have lost. With every perfectly-timed passage and soaring extended trot, Orlob and the stunning nine-year-old Danish stallion, owned by Alice Tarjan, painted a story of strength, resilience and hope—one that left the audience spellbound and, truth be told, reaching for tissues.
With precision, power and a touch of Top Gun swagger, Team Purina soared to first place in the Grand Prix Quadrille Challenge! Channeling the daring spirit of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, this high-flying squad—Pamela Goodrich, Chris Hickey, Bent Jensen, Jordan LaPlaca, Jessie Steiner and George Williams—executed breathtaking formations that mirrored the iconic aerial stunts of the elite fighter pilots. Set to an electrifying soundtrack featuring Top Gun, Dancing on the Ceiling and Thunder, their performance, choreographed, coached and set to music by Terry Ciotti-Gallo and coached by Betsy Steiner and Bill Warren, was nothing short of airborne artistry—on horseback.
Dressed in sleek blue flight uniforms and with their horses sporting dazzling blue jet formations stenciled in glitter across their hindquarters, Team Purina didn’t just ride perfectly timed pirouettes and signature Blue Angel flight patterns—they took off, leaving the competition in their contrails!
With sparkly black coats, fedoras attached to riding helmets, and dark sunglasses, Team Wright Dressage strutted into the Grand Prix Quadrille Challenge like true Blues Brothers—only with a little more sparkle and a lot more horsepower! Placing second in spectacular style, the six-rider squad—Leif Aho, Amina Bursese, Angela Jackson, Molly Paris, Lisa Wilcox and Emily Wright-Ciceroni—delivered a show-stopping performance to hits like Everybody Needs Somebody, Think and Minnie the Moocher.
Their impeccably-dressed horses, rocking black tuxedos, grooved through intricate formations that would have made even Jake and Elwood proud. And let’s not forget their coaches, Diane Creech and Vanessa Creech-Terauds, who kept the funk alive in dazzling pink jackets, as well as their musical maestro, Karen Robinson. From start to finish, Team Wright Dressage didn’t just ride—they rocked the arena with rhythm, precision and just the right amount of mischief!
Bringing energy, elegance and a whole lot of feel-good spirit, Team Winged Foot Enterprises danced their way to third place in the Grand Prix Quadrille Challenge with a performance that was all about strength, joy and support for those battling breast cancer. Their six-rider squad—Tom Dvorak, Todd Flettrich, Susanne Hamilton, Justin Hardin, Luis Reteguiz-Denizard and Cindy Rose Wylie—delivered a powerful, high-energy ride to uplifting anthems like I’ve Got a Feeling, Feels So Good It Must Be Criminal and Good Feeling.
Under the masterful choreography, coaching and musical stylings of Ruth Hogan-Poulsen and the guidance of coach Emilie Goddard, the team blended precision with passion, all while dressed in classic black dressage shadbellies. Their horses, decked out in pink neck ribbons, pink ear bonnets and pink polo wraps, made it clear that this ride was about more than just the competition. It was a celebration of hope, resilience and the undeniable power of positivity!
With a theme as timeless as the bond between horse and rider, Team Dancing for Pink brought the ultimate equestrian love story to life in the Grand Prix Quadrille Challenge. Inspired by the deep connection every rider shares with their horse and the bond all the people involved with the Challenge of the Americas have with horses—Team Dancing for Pink’s six-rider squad wove an enchanting performance set to classics like The Black Stallion theme, One Trick Pony, Wildfire and even the beloved Mr. Ed tune.
Laura Ashley Killian, Allie Conti, Michelle Gibson, Heidi Jo Hauri-Gill, Jordan Lockwood and Kristy Lund glided through mesmerizing formations under the artistic eye of choreographer and coach Alex Rozboril, with additional coaching from Amy Bock and Michelle Gibson and music by Carlos Agüera. Dressed in pink and white and with their horses sporting glittering rearing horse designs on their hindquarters, Team Dancing for Pink didn’t just ride—they told a story straight from the heart.
In a breathtaking fusion of artistry and athleticism, Team BioStar channeled the power of the natural world in the Grand Prix Quadrille Challenge at the Challenge of the Americas. With their theme, Elements of the Blue Planet, this dynamic six-rider team—Siobhan Byrne, Lauren Chumley, Claire Darnell, Jess Idol, Kymberly Pullen and Shannon Stevens—seamlessly wove together the forces of earth, air, fire and water along with animals and the winged ones in an awe-inspiring display of equestrian harmony.
Riding to an evocative soundtrack featuring Bridge Over Troubled Water, We Didn’t Light the Fire and Circle in the Sand, their performance, choreographed, coached and set to music by Tigger Montague, was nothing short of mesmerizing. Draped in bespoke costumes with flowing capes and intricate headdresses, and with their horses adorned in glittering, golden Celtic knots, Team BioStar didn’t just ride—they became the elements, leaving spectators spellbound in their wake.
As the final hoofbeats echoed through the arena and the lights dimmed on another unforgettable Challenge of the Americas, one thing was clear—this was more than just a night of equestrian excellence. It was a celebration of strength, resilience and unity, all wrapped in dazzling performances and a whole lot of pink. From gravity-defying jumps to spellbinding quadrilles, each ride told a story, honoring those affected by breast cancer and raising vital funds for a cause that touches so many lives.
As riders, horses and spectators came together in a breathtaking display of passion and purpose, COTA 2025 proved that when the equestrian community rallies behind a mission, the result is pure magic. Until next year—keep dancing, keep riding and keep fighting for a cure!
Global Dressage Festival, 13500 Southshore Blvd,
Wellington, Florida 33414
Beneficiaries:
Play for PINK:
playforpink.org
facebook.com/playforpink
Breast Cancer Research Foundation:
bcrf.org
facebook.com/
thebreastcancerresearchfoundation
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