Zerbino Interagro to Compete at Grand Prix at IALHA National Championships
Zerbino Interagro to Compete at Grand Prix at IALHA National Championships
Lexington, VA (August 24, 2015)— Zerbino Interagro’s journey from the famed breeder Interagro Lusitanos in Itapira, Brazil to the prestigious dressage circuit in Wellington, Florida will next lead to competing for the title of National Champion. Zerbino and his rider and owner Johnny Robb are scheduled to compete in the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA) National Championships in Lexington, Virginia this week. After a successful Florida circuit in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Musical Freestyle, Robb and Zerbino Interagro hope to continue their winning ways in the National Championships.
Robb, a Loxahatchee, Florida resident, purchased Zerbino Interagro through Peter Van Borst of Interagro Lusitanos approximately three years ago. The talented 12-year-old gelding is accustomed to being in the spotlight— including having competed in the 2014 Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida, ridden by Robb’s Dutch trainer Kerensa Muller.
Robb believes that being surrounded by a great team of supporters is what helped her and Zerbino Interagro qualify for the IALHA National Championships. “It really takes a village,” she said. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with three excellent trainers in Kerensa Muller, John Zopatti, and Jaime Amian. I also have to give credit to Zerbino Interagro’s farrier Jim Crew. Linda Parelli of Parelli Natural Horsemanship also really helped Zerbino Interagro and I gain confidence and develop our partnership. Laura King, the eminent hypnotherapist, really helped me overcome some of the issues that were in my subconscious. I wouldn’t be here at Nationals without all of these wonderful supporters.”
Kerensa Muller, who rode with Dutch National Team Coach Sjef Janssen and is now based in Wellington, Florida, has been an important part of Robb’s success in moving up the levels. John Zopatti, a USDF Gold Medalist and four-time Gold Coast Dressage Association Trainer of the Year, has also been a long-time member of Robb’s team. Spanish Grand Prix rider Jaime Amian has studied under many dressage legends, including Juan Manuel Munioz Diaz, Klaus Balkenhol, and Han Bemelmans. Amian has been coaching Robb this summer from his base at IDA, a well-known farm in Wellington, Florida. IDA has been the summer home for Zerbino Interagro, where Robb was able to beat the Florida heat by schooling in either of the two full-sized covered-arenas. Zopatti and Amian will both attend the IALHA National Championships to cheer Robb and Zerbino on.
Zerbino Interagro’s superb disposition will lend him to not only showing in the Grand Prix with Robb, but also competing in the leadline class with six-year-old Ethan Yeager at Nationals. Zerbino Interagro will also be shown in the halter classes by multiple Grand National Champion Gary Yeager to demonstrate Zerbino’s excellent confirmation— a result of the successful breeding program at Interagro Lusitanos. Interagro is the largest breeder of Lusitano horses in the world, with 40 years of experience breeding Lusitanos.
Interagro Lusitanos is committed to preserving the pure bloodlines of the Lusitano breed, and producing star horses like Zerbino Interagro. The facility’s own bloodlines include some of the most respected of the breed: Faraó (JHC), Nirvana Interagro, Ofensor (MV), Xique-Xique (CI), and Yacht (SA). Lusitanos from the Brazilian farm have excelled in top world show rings and have graced the covers of international magazines over twenty times. Interagro is one of the most accessible and respected breeders in the world. To learn more, visit www.interagro.com.br.
To find out more about Johnny Robb and Zerbino Interagro, email johnnyrobb@mac.com.
Photo: Zerbino Interagro and Johnny Robb will compete at the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA) National Championships (Photo courtesy of Susan J Stickle)
