One of the Dancing Horse Challenge participants is Julio Mendoza. Julio is an FEI international trainer known for his dramatic costuming and horsemanship. He was born and raised in Ecuador, South America where Julio started riding when he was 6 years old.  Julio is a 4th generation rider in his family and he has shown in top-rated horse shows, including the Rolex, Audi Cup, and Pan American Games. He has successfully trained several horses to the Grand Prix level in dressage. In 2007, Julio and his wife Jessica moved to the United States to start training and competing in a place where dressage was taken more seriously. Since being in the USA, Julio has earned his USDF Bronze and Silver Medals on Friesians in open competition. He is now most well known now for taking the first Friesian ever to the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Julio is based in the rolling hills of Union Bridge, Maryland and this will be his second year performing in the Dancing Horse Challenge.  Last year he performed a romantic Flamenco piece where he rode atop a Friesian gelding, while dancer Lindsey Winkler danced Flamenco along side him. He also rode the Friesian Stallion, Ivan decked out in pink in a musical freestyle to Elvis and Adele.  This year he is bringing two new acts to the Challenge. The first is a Pas de Deux.  It is a Spanish inspired act, where you will see Julio and his wife Jessica, perform to traditional dramatic Spanish music. To add a twist, Julio will perform with the Garrocha pole. Centuries ago it was used as a weapon during wars, here you will see it as an art. The second act is called Dancing Dressage.  It is all about the dance and partnership you can have with your horse in the most upper levels of Dressage. In this electric, high stepping, musical freestyle you will see movements such as piaffe, passage, pirouettes, flying changes and more. Julio will be riding the Friesian Stallion, Ivan and you will see why their bond is so unique. Performing in the Ride For Life Dancing Horse Challenge is very special to him because he has seen many friends over the years battle with breast cancer. This is a good way not only to raise money, but also to bring people together and to help support finding a cure for breast cancer, while helping to create awareness in the greater community.

Come see Julio Mendoza and other well-known equestrians ride in the Dancing Horse Challenge. Tickets cost $25 per person. Ticket sales are available in advance. More information is available at www.pvdarideforlife.org/. At the PVDA Ride for Life, horses are healing for women, wives, daughters and loved ones.

Article Written By Meridith Hurd, PVDA Ride for Life Marketing Coordinator

For a sneak peek, check out this video of Bent riding Liberty Light at Dressage Under the Stars.

Thanks to Rita Boehm for the above photo of two of the reserve champion GMO Team Challenge horses wearing their prize – halters donated by Dover Saddlery.