Category Archives: Dressage

The Discipline of Riding Dressage

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF

Bronwyn Cordiak, Donna Tella and Furst Fiorano Storm to Impressive Victories

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Bronwyn Cordiak & Sarasanna GP. All photos: Chuck Swan/Swan Studios, LLC

Wayne, IL – As many people on the East Coast braced for Hurricane Irene, those at the Lamplight Equestrian Center enjoyed another day of sunshine and beautiful temperatures. Medals were awarded in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today 13 & under division and champions crowned in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships 4- and 5-year-old divisions.

The USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today kicked off competition in Ring 2, with 10 of the best 13-year-olds and under in the U.S. displaying their equitation expertise. The class began with all the competitors working around the ring together at the walk, trot and canter. Next the horse and rider combinations individually demonstrated a pre-selected pattern.

The pattern which asked for leg yield and three changes of lead through the trot on the diagonal was considered to be quite difficult by the competitors as well as judges Janet Foy, Christel Carlson and Michael Osinski.

Bronwyn Cordiak (Dallas, TX) rode Sarasanna GP to the victory scoring a 78%, demonstrating supreme equitation highlighted by a solid lower leg and soft rein contact. Cordiak’s victory was doubly impressive as the 9-year-old Hanoverian mare, owned by Grand Prix Equestrian, was borrowed for this competition.

Continue reading Bronwyn Cordiak, Donna Tella and Furst Fiorano Storm to Impressive Victories →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF

San City, Wakeup and Pikko Del Cerro HU Set the Pace in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships and the USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship

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Emily Wagner and Wakeup. All photos: Chuck Swan/Swan Studio LLC.

Wayne, IL – Competition was in full swing at the Lamplight Equestrian Center as the top 6-year-olds and developing horses in the U.S. took to Ring 2 for their first National Championship classes of the weekend. The day began with competitors in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today 14-18 division performing in an optional warm-up class.

In the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship 6-year-old division the standard was set earlier. Members of the 2005 foal crop demonstrated fluid gaits and a strong foundation in advanced movements such as half-pass and flying changes.

Emily Wagner (La Cygne, KS) and her own American-bred Warmblood stallion Wakeup performed a strong and powerful test to score an 8.88. The judging panel of Janet Foy, Gary Rockwell and Anne Gribbons rewarded Wakeup (Wagnis – Maiden Montreal by Macho) for a mature performance demonstrating phenomenal cadence in the trot work and a fluid walk tour. The pair made their 10-hour drive from Kansas well worth the trip scoring a 9.2 for their trot, an 8.8 in the walk, 8.5 and 8.9 for the canter and submission respectively. Their general impression score, a 9.0, was the highest of the day.

For Wagner, today’s performance was especially meaningful as Wakeup is a member of the second generation of horses she has competed successfully. “His dad was my Young Rider Horse. It’s so cool because I know his whole family, his brothers and half-brothers,” she said.

Continue reading San City, Wakeup and Pikko Del Cerro HU Set the Pace in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships and the USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship →

Community/Charity, Dressage, FEI

Exquis Nadine Retires

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Exquis Nadine, the 16 year old mare ridden to great success by The Netherlands' Hans Peter Minderhoud, was retired on the final afternoon of the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 in Rotterdam (NED) last Sunday. Photo: FEI/Peter Nixon.

Lausanne (SUI), 26 August 2011 – There was an emotional moment for Dutch rider, Hans Peter Minderhoud, on the final afternoon of the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 in Rotterdam (NED) last Sunday when the great mare, Exquis Nadine, was officially retired.

The 16 year old Dutch warmblood, by Partout x Roemer, was bred by GC Vervoorn at Brakel in The Netherlands and descends from a very distinguished dam bloodline.  During her highly successful career, she won team gold at the FEI European Championships 2007 in Turin (ITA) and team silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong.  She was reserve for the 2009 European Championships and won team gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA last year.

Last week Exquis Nadine was part of the bronze-medal-winning Dutch side in Rotterdam, and on Sunday the chestnut mare said goodbye with a lovely performance that earned eleventh place in the hotly-contested Freestyle to Music finale.  Tears trickled down Hans Peter’s face as he rode her past the grandstand and acknowledged the crowd’s applause on behalf of his great chestnut mare.

“After the ride I felt quite bad,” he said. “She gave everything in the Freestyle, but there was no better moment for her to retire.”

SPECIAL HORSE
“I want everyone to remember a special horse, not one that goes on and on until she has nothing left,” Hans Peter continued. “She will slow down over the winter months and we will put her in foal in the spring – I know this is the right thing to do, because I’ve noticed over the last year or so that when I’m riding her past the fields it’s hard to get her to concentrate because she’s looking at the foals, I think she would love to have one, and it’s time for her to have another life. She has been doing Grand Prix for five years now.”

Continue reading Exquis Nadine Retires →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, Pan American Games, USEF

Hannah Burnett & Harbour Pilot Cruise to Lead at USEF Pan American Games Mandatory Outing

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Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot (Photo: Stockimageservices .com)

Richland, Michigan – When Hannah Sue Burnett rode Harbour Pilot into the dressage ring as the first of the 14 riders contesting the USEF Pan American Games Mandatory Outing for the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team she set a mark that couldn’t be beat. The Mandatory Outing is being held as part of the Richland Park Horse Trials and CIC3*.

Riding Jacqueline Mars’ 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding, Burnett put in what is now becoming trademark for the 25 year old ride: a very polished effort. Burnett and Harbour Pilot scored 44.6 to leave them two points clear of Kristin Schmolze and Ballylaffin Bracken, whom she owns with her parents Bill and Janet. Shannon Lilly lies 1/10th of a point behind Schmolze on The Lilley Group’s Ballygowan Pizzaz.

“It was one of his best tests,” said Burnett. “It could have had a little more flash – if I had to be picky. But his trot work was good and I think his canter work was great. The turn on the haunches was good, which I was pleased about because I struggle with that.”

Burnett was sixth at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* presented by Bridgestone and was then second with Harbour Pilot in the CCI2* at Bromont in June. ‘William’ has been extremely competitive as he has risen through the levels; Burnett has ridden him since April of 2010.

Continue reading Hannah Burnett & Harbour Pilot Cruise to Lead at USEF Pan American Games Mandatory Outing →

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, USEF

Dancer, Wrigley-Miller, and Yoder in Fifth Place at Their First FEI World Pair Driving Championship

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Joe Yoder at the 2011 FEI World Driving Pair Championship. Photo: Marie de Ronde

Yoder Drives to Sixth in Dressage

Lexington, KY – At the 2011 FEI World Pair Driving Championship in Conty, France, American Joe Yoder drove to sixth place Friday in the dressage and the American team – all three drivers making their International Championship debut – sits in fifth place heading into Saturday’s marathon.

Led by Chef d’Equipe Chester Weber and Coach Michael Freund, the U.S. is being represented by Yoder, the 2011 USEF National Pair Driving Champion, and Katherin Dancer and Misdee Wrigley-Miller. The trio drove at Reisenbeck CAI in July and earned valuable international experience as they represent their country this week.

Thursday morning marked the beginning of the dressage competition phase and it was Wrigley-Miller drawn as the first and only U.S. competitor on opening day. Wrigley-Miller is in the top half of the pack of 69 drivers, in 20th place on a score of 52.86.

The pressure then passed to Dancer and Yoder on Friday. Dancer is in 34th individually with a score of 58.88. Yoder’s impressive sixth-place mark of 44.03 means the team sits in fifth with 96.9 penalties. Germany leads with 84.1 over Switzerland, The Netherlands, and France. The top two scores from each phase count for the Team Classification.

Individually, German Driver Carola Deiner leads with a score of 35.58.

Continue reading Dancer, Wrigley-Miller, and Yoder in Fifth Place at Their First FEI World Pair Driving Championship →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Record-breaking Germans Lead the Field at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships

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Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and FRH Butts Abraxxas lead the individual standings at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships and Germany is on top in the teams after the Dressage. Photo: Peter Nixon/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 26 August 2011 – Outstanding performances by Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and Michael Jung have put the home side into a fabulously strong position before tomorrow’s Cross Country phase at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen (GER).

The host nation, bidding for a first European team gold since 1973, is now more than 20 penalties ahead of defending champions Great Britain as the first team to score under 100 in the Dressage at European level. The Italians, who won silver in 2009, hold a fractional advantage in third over Sweden, who last won gold back in 1993.

Klimke is no stranger to brilliance in the Dressage arena, but even she was overwhelmed by FRH Butts Abraxxas’s mark of 30.0, which included six 10s: three for the entry and halt; two for her final halt and one, from Ground Jury member Christoph Hess, for her riding.

“Hans Melzer [German team trainer] told me I should do a 29, so he put me under pressure,” Klimke revealed.

The ever-smiling Klimke also admitted to despondency after her fall at Badminton (GBR) in April, in which she suffered a knee injury which kept her out of the saddle for 12 weeks.

“I was very depressed about it all because I just love to ride,” she said. “But then Abraxxas was in good shape at Aachen and Malmö and now I’m just thankful to be here.

Continue reading Record-breaking Germans Lead the Field at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Germany Sets Pace at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships

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Sandra Auffarth (GER) and Opgun Louvo hold the individual lead and have put the German team out in front after the first day of Dressage.

Lausanne (SUI), 25 August 2011 – German riders gave an exhibition of Dressage-riding to fill six of the top eight individual places and take a commanding lead in the team competition at the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen, to the evident delight of their home crowd.

Sandra Auffarth (GER), 25, who sprang to prominence when finishing second in the HSBC FEI Classics at Luhmühlen CCI4* in June, was the big sensation on a hot sunny afternoon today, producing another exquisite picture of harmony and suppleness with the nine-year-old Opgun Louvo.

She earned a perfect 10 for her entry and halt from Ground Jury member Anne Mette-Binder (DEN) and finally wound up with the excellent score of 35.4 penalties.

“It’s the best mark I’ve had at this level,” said a delighted Auffarth, who has been riding the chestnut gelding by Shogun ll since he was six.

“At one point in the walk, I thought ‘oh no, don’t be nervous’, but he concentrated very well and was relaxed so I could ride him like I do in training. He has a very good character – he is like a pony at home.”

Auffarth added: “It was quite a surprise to be picked for the team, but perhaps in another way it wasn’t so unexpected, because we’ve had a good season as a combination.”

Continue reading Germany Sets Pace at HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships →

Breeds, Competitions, Dressage, Events

Dressage at Devon Close Dates Extended and Extended Schooling Schedules

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August 24, 2011 (Devon, PA) – The closing dates for both performance and breed classes at the 2011 Dressage at Devon have been extended until September 15 and late fees have been waived.

So enter now and enjoy the new, state of the art footing (Poels Sand Footing), in both the Dixon Oval and the Gold Ring.  Come check out this significant improvement to Dressage at Devon and show off your wonderful horse under the lights.  Schooling has also been extended in both rings in the early morning.  Warm-up for all Grand Prix classes will be held in the Gold ring commencing one hour prior to the start of the class.  For performance entry details, go to www.dressageatdevon.org or contact the Show Secretary, Monica Fitzgerald, at mon1206@aol.com.

Or, for breeders, has your two year old suddenly grow into their body?  Is your colt amazing?  Come showcase your incredible horses at Dressage at Devon and let your foal enjoy the attention and the new footing!  You can enter on-line at www.horseshowoffice.com.  Full details, including the prize list, are at www.dressageatdevon.org or contact the Show Secretary, Kathy Moffitt, at kmoffitt@optonline.net.

Danielle Myers
Project Marketing, Inc.
PO Box 155
Devon, PA 19333
610.889.2036
dmyers@projectmarketinginc.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Equine Assisted Therapy

Dressage at Devon and Thorncroft, Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Inc. Celebrate 20 Years

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Devon, PA (August 24, 2011) – 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the selection of Thorncroft Therapeutic Riding Inc. as the beneficiary of Dressage at Devon.  Since 1991, Thorncroft has received more than $1,000,000 from Dressage at Devon.  These funds have been used to support students with disabilities who have shown a dedication to the sport and the horses.

Steven Reed (left) is one such student.  In 2004, when Steven Reed was 8 years old, his mom Linda, wanted to find an activity for her son that would help him grow and reach his goals.  Knowing that Steven was an animal lover, Linda thought riding might appeal to him.  Steven was hooked after just one visit.

For the next several years, Steven took weekly, then twice weekly lessons – first on a pony (Blossom), working his way up to the horses he rides (and jumps!) today.  Steven’s dedication to the sport and the animals continues to grow.  He volunteers in the barn in exchange for one of his lessons, a job he took on at age 13.  Sundays, Steve can often be found cleaning stalls and doing other necessary barn work.

“Thorncroft is an amazing place. From the moment he started riding, Steven has not only learned horsemanship but has made many friends,” said Linda Reed.

Steven received his first scholarship just one year after he began riding.  And, among other honors, this year Steven was the recipient of the Grace Levin Scholarship Award.  His weekly lessons include individual training as well as practice sessions with the Thorncroft Mainstreamers.

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Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Events, USEF

Six USEF Dressage National Championships Up for Grabs at Lamplight Equestrian Center

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2010 Champ Bon Chance Returns for More in 2011 (Photo: Fire&Earth Photography)

Lexington, KY – The future of dressage in the United States will be on full display this weekend in Wayne, IL, as many of the nation’s top up-and-coming horses vie for coveted USEF National Championship titles. Champions will be crowned at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in six separate divisions. In the 2011 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships the top 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds in the country will be recognized. Seven- to 9-year-olds will stake their claim on the USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship sponsored by the Dutta Corporation and Performance Sales International. Finally, the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today is split by age categories, and two championships will be awarded: 13 & under and 14-18 divisions.

The Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships will showcase the most promising 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds that U.S. dressage has to offer. In the 4-year-old division, 15 of the most exciting horses from the 2007 foal crop will vie for top honors. In this championship is Melissa Mulchahey’s Furst Fiorano, who topped the final rankings of the 2011 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Ranking List four-year-old division with an overall average of 8.460.

Last year’s 4-year-old champion, DG Brendo, and Reserve Champion, DG Banta, return to the Lamplight Equestrian Center to try to repeat their 2010 efforts. They and 13 challengers will contest the five-year-old championship to make for a strong competition between 15 horses. In the 6-year-old division, seven separate breeds are represented in the field of 15; American Warmblood, Andalusian, Dutch Warmblood, Friesian, Hanoverian, Oldenburg and Royal Dutch Warmblood. Champion, Bon Chance, and Reserve Championship, Adje, from last year’s 5-year-old division are among the contenders in the 2011 6-year-old championship.

Continue reading Six USEF Dressage National Championships Up for Grabs at Lamplight Equestrian Center →