FEI dressage committee member Thomas Baur has joined Equestrian Sports Productions for the 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Fla.

Baur, 43, is a member of the International Equestrian Organisers Alliance and is also involved with the Internationales Maimarkt-Turnier (Germany) and Pappas Amadeus Horse Indoors (Austria) shows.

“I am very pleased to join the ESP team,” said Baur. “Our common goal is the development of this dressage facility to a world-class product that not only attracts the top dressage riders from North America, but also brings the best dressage riders from around the world to Florida during the winter months.”

The German-native will assist ESP with the GDF, which runs from Jan. 9-Mar. 30. The GDF boasts six CDIs and five national competitions and is home to the first non-championship CDIO Nations Cup in the Western Hemisphere.

“Especially close to my heart is February’s CDIO***,” added Baur, “where the final format of the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto will be tested for the first time.”

“Thomas is one of the world’s top dressage organizers. His affiliation with the Stuttgart German Masters as well as his membership on the FEI Dressage Committee should bring us a wealth of knowledge and experience as we try to increase both the international exposure and participation at the GDF. He will work closely with GDF horse show manager Lloyd Landkamer to upgrade the GDF dressage experience,” said Mark Bellissimo, ESP CEO.

ESP President Michael Stone added, “We believe Thomas and Lloyd will raise the bar for the production of dressage in North America, and we can together provide an unparalleled experience in 2014 at the AGDF. Our event should also position top riders well for the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy.”