Mikala Gundersen Wins Second People’s Choice Award Presented by Ann Cook Properties at Palm Beach Derby CDI-W
Wellington, FL (March 6, 2016) – At the Palm Beach Derby CDI-W, Mikala Gundersen became the first person ever to win a second People’s Choice Award presented by Ann Cook Properties. Gundersen is a beloved competitor at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida, known as a great supporter of the sport and her fellow equestrians. With My Lady, Gundersen has been showing a fan favorite freestyle featuring music from the movie Burlesque.
For her exceptional results, incredible horsemanship, and outstanding sportsmanship, Gundersen was again named the People’s Choice Award winner presented by Ann Cook Properties. Ann-Louise Cook is a successful dressage rider and realtor at Illustrated Properties (a company specializing in equestrian and luxury real estate sales). Cook established the People’s Choice Award as a way to give back to her equestrian community.
Cook explained to Gundersen that the People’s Choice Award recognizes top riders who serve as an example and inspiration to amateurs in the sport. She commented, “You always look so elegant in person as well as on the horse.” In accepting the award, Gundersen graciously remarked, “I want to thank you so much for the award. It is, for me, very close to my heart and it is a very big award for me to win.”
Gundersen is based in Florida, but rides for her native country of Denmark. This season, she is fighting for an individual place at the Olympic Games on behalf of Denmark. Based on her scores this season, it is expected to be announced soon that she has earned that position. However, earning the start for Denmark does not guarantee Gundersen will be selected to compete in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
Gundersen and My Lady have again qualified for the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Finals which will be held later this month in Sweden. However, Gundersen has decided not to put her partner through the stress of an additional transatlantic trip, opting to focus on preparing for the Olympic Games instead. She and My Lady will travel to Europe this summer to vie for a position on the Danish Olympic Team.
My Lady and Gundersen have made a convincing case in their campaign for Olympic glory. Together, they have earned many top placings at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, including a win at the CDI 5* in Week 5 – the biggest week of competition at the popular show circuit. This past week, Gundersen and My Lady once again proved their mettle at the Palm Beach Derby CDI –W, finishing second in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Freestyle.
The Palm Beach Derby holds special meaning for the duo as it was founded in part by My Lady’s owner Janne Rumbough more than thirty years ago. “I could not have done this without her and her continuous support,” Gundersen said of Rumbough. Rumbough followed, “We couldn’t do it without each other!”
To learn more about Mikala Gundersen, visit www.wellingtondressagehoreses.com. For more information about Ann-Louise Cook at Illustrated Properties Real Estate, please visit www.annlouisecook.com.