Category Archives: Dressage

The Discipline of Riding Dressage

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Frederic Wandres Does Wonders in Havensafe Farm FEI World Cup Grand Prix

Frederic Wandres & Bluetooth OLD. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Two classes brimming with talent highlighted opening day of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) Week 5. The Centerline Stables CDI1* Prix St. Georges and Havensafe Farm CDI-W World Cup Grand Prix set the tone in Wellington, FL. A man who is no stranger to victory, Frederic Wandres (GER) aboard Bluetooth OLD, a 2010 Oldenburg (Bordeaux x Riccione), truly stole the show with their impressive score of 74.913%. A very competitive runner-up score went to France’s Morgan Babançon aboard Bolero scoring a 71.782%, and third went to Ashley Holzer (USA) and Valentine who were not far behind finishing on a score of 71.174%.

While incredibly proud, an ever-humble Wandres admitted that he and Bluetooth OLD still having room for improvement before achieving even more success. “I thought today went much better than the last time CDI here. He was a little more fresh and forward, even though the weather is a little bit warmer than last time. There are still many things to develop, but overall, it was good. He showed consistency in a test like this, and I thought this world cup qualification here was probably the strongest so far, so I’m very happy.”

Alexander Yde Helgstrand & Belantis. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Alexander Yde Helgstrand Takes the Spotlight

All eyes were on Denmark’s Alexander Yde Helgstrand and Belantis during the opening class of AGDF 5 on Thursday morning as the dynamic pair won the Centerline Stables CDI1* Prix St. Georges.

An impressive lineup of twenty-six horses and riders came together for the CDI1*. Only three pairs scored in the 70s, including Amanda Perkowski (USA) and Sontana MF, who placed third with a 70.196%, and Charlotte Jorst (USA) scored a 70.392% aboard Zhaplin Langholt. However, the highest score of 72.206%, a personal best score, went to Alexander Yde Helgstrand (DEN) and Belantis, a 2009 DSP gelding (Benetton Dream Frh 1301 x Expo’se) owned by Helgstrand Dressage USA.

Helgstrand was beyond pleased with his horse’s performance. They have been a team for about two years and all of their hard work, combined with a strong partnership, seems to be paying off. “Today, some of the highlights came from my trot. I felt like I had a really good trot, which is something we have been working really hard on at home, so I was very pleased to see that come together.”

For more information and results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Barbançon Claims Grand Prix Special Victory with New Personal Best Score in AGDF Week 3

Morgan Barbançon & Habana Libre A. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Week 3 of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) continued this weekend, with a victory for France’s Morgan Barbançon and her own Habana Libre A in the FEI Grand Prix Special CDI4*, presented by Palm Beach Equine Clinic.

Barbançon’s 74.404% performance aboard the Dutch Warmblood gelding by Zizi Top marked the pair’s highest Grand Prix Special score to date. At 11 years old, Habana Libre A was the youngest horse in the class. The pair finished more than three percentage points clear of second-placed Anna-Christina Abbelen (GER), who rode her own and Silke Abbelen-Mooren’s Sam Donnerhall to 71.234%. Spain’s Pablo Gómez Molina claimed third on the 13-year-old PRE gelding Ulises De Ymas with 69.915%.

“I’m super happy,” said the 30-year-old Barbançon, who is competing at AGDF for the first time. “I’m on cloud nine. Honestly, I thought we would get a 72% or maybe 73%, and I would have been super happy with that. Today, I had such a floaty, fluid ride, and I didn’t push.”

Tarjan Claims Ticket to Lövsta Future Challenge Final

The second qualifiers in the Lövsta Future Challenge Young Horse Grand Prix Series and the Future Challenge Young Horse Prix St. Georges Series sent two more combinations through to the Grand Final (which takes place in AGDF 11) from each class. These classes aim to identify and nurture talented, up-and-coming young FEI horses.

In the Lövsta Future Challenge FEI Intermediate II Qualifier, Alice Tarjan rode her own Summersby II (by Sezuan x Sandro Hit) to 70.833%. Ali Potasky rode Inxs into second place with 69.558%, claiming the second qualifying slot.

“It’s a great division,” enthused Tarjan, who rides as an amateur. “I’ve been here the last three years and it’s a super way to get the greener horses into the CDI stadium and in front of the CDI judges without the pressure of a CDI.

“Summersby is a really great horse, and only eight years old. I’m just happy that she stayed with me through the whole test. The horse has to get stronger in the work, but she’s really honest and the atmosphere didn’t seem to affect her at all.”

Pape Posts Second Win of the Week

In the CDI3* FEI Grand Prix Special, presented by ProElite®, Great Britain’s Susan Pape and Harmony’s Eclectisch notched up another victory, adding a 70.021% win to their blue ribbon in the qualifying Grand Prix class.

“Our ride felt nice and powerful today,” said Pape. “Unfortunately, I had a mistake in the twos and the ones on the centerline. But other than that, it was very good. The passage on the left lead was very good for him and expressive. In the canter work, the ones were beautiful, and so was the extended canter.”

Pape and the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Zenon, owned by Pape and Harmony Amateur Sports Foundation, have been partnered for a few years, and she reflected on what taking the ride over on the well-trained horse has been like.

For more information and results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Wandres and Bluetooth Dance to Personal Best in Friday Night Stars at AGDF

Frederic Wandres & Bluetooth OLD. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Frederic Wandres (GER) returned to the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, Florida and to his customary winning ways with the elegant and powerful Bluetooth OLD. In week three’s highlight class, the CDI4* FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by USPRE Association, the pair posted a new career high score of 81.805%.

Wandres and Bluetooth repeated their podium topping performance from the previous day’s qualifying FEI Grand Prix class. In a truly international podium, second-placed Morgan Barbançon (FRA) also produced a career-high freestyle score during “Friday Night Stars” on her own 17-year-old KWPN gelding Bolero (Glock’s Johnson TN x Vincent), notching up 77.895%. Sweden’s Caroline Darcourt was just 0.065 percentage points behind, logging 77.83% on Lord Django in the horse’s second ever Grand Prix Freestyle.

“I am very happy today,” beamed Wandres, who is based in Germany at Hof Kasselman but is a seasoned competitor at AGDF. “This is the first time for me this season under the lights and I am always looking forward to coming back. I was a little nervous about how it would go because with this special atmosphere, you never know how the horses will handle it, but Bluetooth took it in a positive way. I had a much better feeling than in the Grand Prix; he was way fresher and forward, and it felt like one of the best tests that he has offered me.”

Susan Pape Tops ProElite CDI3* Grand Prix

AGDF regular Susan Pape (GBR) topped the ProElite CDI3* Grand Prix earlier in the day, riding Harmony’s Eclectisch to 70.826%. The 14-year-old stallion received a smattering of eights throughout the test.

“I think the extended canter was pretty good,” enthused Pape, who is based in Germany and is riding at AGDF for the eighth time. “His pirouettes were very nice, his twos were very nice, and all of his canter work is a highlight.”

Pape, along with her sponsor Harmony Sporthorses, bought the son of Zenon x Olivi when he was a rising eight-year-old.

“He was owned by a Swedish woman [Ida-Linn Lundholm] who competed him in the World Championships for young horses’ level, where he was very successful,” explained Pape, who usually produces horses up the levels herself. “At that time, we were looking for an upcoming Grand Prix horse. This time my sponsors wanted to buy me this nice horse. He’s been here [at AGDF] almost every year since then and started here in the Prix St. Georges, and we worked our way up to the Grand Prix.”

For more information and results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Frederic Wandres Seeing Double at Adequan Global Dressage Festival

Frederic Wandres & Hot Hit OLD. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

Frederic Wandres (GER) earned a career high score on Friday in the FEI Grand Prix at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival and returned this weekend to also score victory in the CDI3* Grand Prix Special, presented by Barnwalkers. Wandres rode Hot Hit OLD, a 12-year-old by Blue Hors Hotline x Diamond Hit to a score just shy of eclipsing his personal best yet again with a 74.34% in the Grand Prix Special. The back-to-back wins came from Wandres during Lloyd Landkamer Memorial week.

Wandres is jumping into his third season at AGDF, a place he has been developing Hot Hit in the international ranks since his first trip to Florida. “I’m very happy with how he managed the cold and windy weather conditions and the atmosphere here,” said Wandres of the striking grey gelding. Wandres plans to focus on one CDI in February with Hot Hit before using him in the CDIO3* Nations Cup for Germany during AGDF 7.

Fuqua, Degele Close Out AGDF 1

Closing out opening week of the AGDF, Kat Fuqua claimed the CDIY Young Riders Freestyle, presented by Diamante Farms, with a score of 69.800% on her own Dreamgirl, 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Speilberg x Goodtimes). The final salute came from Heidi Degele in the CDI1* Intermediate I Freestyle, presented by Harmony Sporthorses, aboard Ibistrona, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Don Tango B x Sunny Boy 124) with a 69.250%.

For more information and results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle Claims FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

The first “Friday Night Stars” evening of musical freestyle action during the 2023 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL lived up to its stellar billing despite unseasonably chilly temperatures.

The week’s highlight class, the FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle, presented by Lövsta Stuteri, produced top class dressage, personal bests on the podium, and a winning score of over 83%.

Adrienne Lyle (USA) and the 16-year-old stallion Salvino made it two for two in the Lloyd Landkamer Memorial week when they scooped the blue ribbon with 83.54% for a harmonious test brimming with expression and power. Lyle and Betsy Juliano’s Sandro Hit x Donnerhall son topped the previous day’s qualifying Grand Prix with 77.5%. In the freestyle, second placed Sarah Tubman (USA) kicked off her Wellington season with a personal best of 78.25% on another stallion, the 13-year-old First Apple, while third placed Caroline Darcourt (SWE) and Lord Django contested their first Grand Prix freestyle and pulled out a 78.17% performance.

Lyle is chasing down one of three starting places allocated to North America for the FEI World Cup™ Final in Omaha, NE in April. Her top score of 86% came courtesy of the Dutch five-star judge at H, Mariette Sanders- van Gansewinkel.

Of her performance, Lyle said, “I’m super thrilled to be here again at this amazing venue and I was happy to see how packed it was despite this cold weather. Salvino felt great — he was fiery and very excited to be here.

“We did most of the things on my terms, and some of the things on his terms — but like any good relationship, it’s all about compromise, and he feels great,” added Lyle of Salvino, whom she rode on the silver medal USA team at the Tokyo Olympics.

Frederic Wandres Earns Career High Score

Earlier in the day, the 35-year-old German rider Frederic Wandres rode Hot Hit OLD to a career high score in the CDI3* FEI Grand Prix, presented by Barnwalkers — the qualifier for Saturday’s Grand Prix Special. All five judges placed the pair first, awarding 75.348% overall, improving on their previous best by over 1%.

“The consistency of the test today was the winning thing,” said Wandres. “He had not been out since August, so he has had a bit of a break, but he came back very good and my feeling was strong.

Wandres has ridden Hot Hit at Hof Kasselmann, where he works, since the grey gelding by Blue Hors Hotline x Diamond Hit was six. The now 12-year-old already has an impressive resume, and this victory took his unbeaten streak to five.

For more information and a full list of results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage

Adrienne Lyle Tops FEI World Cup Grand Prix

Adrienne Lyle and Salvino. Photo © SusanJStickle.com.

The 2023 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival opened on Thursday, January 12, with a victory for U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Adrienne Lyle. She and Salvino, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion (Sandro HIT x Donnerhall) won the FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix, presented by Lövsta Stuteri, to start the final leg of their FEI World Cup™ Final qualifying bid in style.

All three grand prix podium finishers scored over 70%, with Lyle and Salvino topping the list with a 77.5% as the last to compete. The class was a qualifier for the FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle, which takes place under the lights on Friday night during the first of the “Friday Night Stars” series.

“He’s just always so incredible in the ring,” said Lyle of her mount from the Tokyo Olympic games. “He went in again today with another mistake free test. He really clicked into the rhythm for the piaffe and passage work. I think we still have more in the tank for the freestyle, so I’m excited about that.

“It should be nice and cool weather tomorrow with a packed house and he loves both those things,” continued Lyle of Salvino, owned by Betsy Juliano.

Of her grand prix test, Lyle discussed the high points, saying, “The piaffe, passage, and last centerline were super. I love feeling him finishing a test with that much energy and enthusiasm.”

Fellow U.S. rider Sarah Tubman and First Apple, and 2010 Dutch Warmblood stallion (Vivaldi x T.C.N. Partout) finished in the runner-up position with a score of 70.5% for owner Summit Farm. Rounding out the podium, Sweden’s Caroline Darcourt posted a score of 70.283% riding Lord Django, a 2010 Hanoverian gelding (Stalypso x Londonderry) for owner Lövsta Stuteri.

Caroline Darcourt Leads Off for Sweden

Opening the day on Thursday, Caroline Darcourt stole the show in the CDI1* FEI Prix St. Georges, presented by Harmony Sporthorses. Five scores broke into the 70% range, but Darcourt and Bournonville, a 2013 Danish-bred gelding (Bon Bravour x Loudini) owned by Lövsta Stuteri, topped the list with a 73.029%.

“It feels very good to be back in Florida; it’s been three years since the last time I was here,” said Darcourt of her return to Wellington. “I’m very happy to be here with this horse and the win, I would say, was over my expectations. I’m really thrilled about it.”

Great Britain’s Susan Pape finished second on a score of 72.756% riding Harmony’s V-Plus for owner Harmony Sporthorses. In third, Charlotte Jorst (USA) and Federle posted a 71.882% for owner Kastel Denmark.

Darcourt spoke highly of Bournonville after their test, saying, “He’s been with us since he was late seven, and he has a very sensitive side. Now I feel he’s finally secure with me and he really likes the ring and his job. He is so rideable and has all the qualities.

“I would say the trot work felt very fluid and he was with me the whole time and really listened to me,” said Darcourt of her Prix St. Georges test. “The canter work and the first pirouette I was happy with, but there is more to work on. With him, the goal now is to keep moving up.”

For more information and a full list of results, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, USEF

Hope Hand (1949-2022) Honored with 2022 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award

Lexington, Kentucky – December 13, 2022 – Paralympian, eleven-year USEF Board member, and United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) founder Hope C. Hand of Newtown Square, Penn. was honored with the 2022 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Lifetime Achievement Award. Hand died June 12, 2022, of pancreatic cancer in her home surrounded by her family before being honored with this title. An accolade that envelopes a passionate career and personal journey for Hand. An honor she would accept with a large smile and laugh. Hand was the Executive Director of the U.S. Para-Equestrian Association, a two-time U.S. Paralympian, and international board member representing the para-equestrian sport. She was an equestrian athlete first, riding as a 10-year-old with Spina Bifida, leaving her wheelchair on the ground to enjoy the technique, challenge, and love of bonding and riding a horse. When her daughter Amy researched the Para-Equestrian discipline and the Paralympics for school, Hope (a competitive athlete in many sports) was excited that she could possibly reach the world stage on horseback. There was no goal too high for Hand, a lifelong theme always encouraging others throughout her equestrian career. As a horse family she was surrounded by the sport. Her daughter was a pony clubber. She lived along the property where the Radnor Fox Hunt would run. She attended all different shows in many different disciplines, and maintained friendships that lists like a Who’s Who of famous equestrians. She never hesitated to introduce herself and there was no bridge she wouldn’t cross.

Hand’s first Paralympics was Atlanta 1996. In 1997 she earned gold and bronze at the British Invitational. In 1997 she competed in the Bradshaw Challenge Cup at the Festival of Champions, with fellow team members Steffen Peters and Guenter Seidel. At the 1999 World Dressage Championships Denmark, Hand earned a bronze. She was on the U.S. 2000 Sydney Paralympic team and served as Team Captain. With her experience and desire to grow the Para-Equestrian discipline, in 2006 she was instrumental in helping include Para Dressage into the USEF and FEI. She served on many boards and committees through multiple decades including the FEI, USEF, Para Dressage, Technical committees, Path International, USDF, Reins for Life, NAJYRC, U.S. Pony Club, and more. Her own project began in 2009 when she created the non-profit, the United States Para-Equestrian Association. She saw the need to have USPEA help to market, grow the grassroots, encourage young equestrians, and help support and promote the international riders, drivers, and events. The USPEA was the main reason U.S. Para Dressage became a common word and talked about in other equestrian disciplines. She was proud of what she accomplished but never stopped. As the Para-Equestrian discipline became known she continued to focus on new athletes, training coaches, and creating opportunities at the national and local level. She worked passionately with a smile on her face. This decoration truly represents a lifelong commitment and love to the equestrian sport.

President of United States Eventing Association, Diane Pitts, noted, “I had the true pleasure of getting to know Hope Hand through various governance activities with the USEF. She was always very gracious but extremely focused and a fierce advocate for para-equestrian athletes. In the brief time I got to work with her, Hope taught me so much about the discipline of para-equestrian. She also demonstrated the power of dedication and the willingness to find solutions to issues by developing new ideas and new pathways to success. Losing Hope is a major blow to all equestrian sports.”

USPEA Secretary and international para-dressage athlete Ellie Brimmer added, “I first met Hope at my FEI classification. She mentored me as I found my footing on the international scene. We grew to become very good friends over the years, and she gave me the confidence to feel like I had the skills to take up a lot of my current leadership positions. Hope was tenacious in her quest to grow the para dressage sport in the United States. She understood growth comes from all levels and together we did things like attend development clinics in Virginia and FEI meetings in France. Without Hope, para sport in the United States wouldn’t be where it is today, and as she receives this award, it should drive the rest of us in the community to continue Hope’s vision of the United States para dressage program as an international powerhouse, with a strong foundation of grass roots athletes that have the tools to be able to reach the elite level.”

Hand was an important figure in so many aspects of the para-equestrian discipline, but she was also the one that made the world go around for her family. Her daughter Amy Hand Capozzoli expressed, “My mom is still getting the recognition she truly deserved, yet never asked for. What an incredible person: daughter, sister, athlete, friend, equestrian, wife, mom, mom-mom, world-renowned leader, and advocate in para-equestrian sports. She wore many hats and was never idle, always looking for the next great life adventure. I will proudly accept this great honor and award for my mom in Lexington, KY next month at the Pegasus Awards dinner on January 12th. I will always reach for the stars, mom, so that one day I may see you again. I love you more.”

Hope Hand earning the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award is a tribute to her lifelong love and commitment for the Para-Equestrian sport and for all riders that took one extra step further in their own lives and equestrian paths because of Hope Hand. Hand truly represented the definition of this accolade.

From USEF: “The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the horseman or woman whose lifetime experience and accomplishments in the equestrian world exemplify uncommon devotion to competition with horses and whose equestrian career and horsemanship have continually elevated the sport’s excellence.”

If you would like to attend the presentation of the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award during the Pegasus Awards Reception and Dinner, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, please visit https://www.usef.org/annual-meeting.

Attend the USEF Lifetime Achievement Presentation
2023 US Equestrian Annual Meeting and Awards
Where: Hyatt Regency Lexington, 401 W. High St. Lexington, KY 40507
When: Pegasus Awards Reception and Dinner – Thursday, Jan. 12th

Hope Hand Memorial Grant Fund

USPEA will be establishing a Hope Hand Memorial Grant fund in memory of our beloved Hope Hand to be used toward direct athlete grants for competition and education.

Donations may be made to USPEA and earmarked for the Hope Hand Memorial Fund. Donations made be sent to: USPEA c/o Ellie Brimmer, USEPA Secretary, 12359 Westhall Pl., Wellington, FL 33414.

Donations for the grants can be made through PayPal at: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=88PXC4YCSXTV4.

For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org.

Competitions, Dressage, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Kat Fuqua Rounds Out 2022 with National Honors in Hunters, Jumpers, and Dressage

Fuqua jumping Nate Archibald to a 3rd place finish in the Zone 4 HOTY Medium Jr./Amateur Jumpers (Photo by Sportfot)

Atlanta, GA (December 3, 2022) – It’s rare for an equestrian to be versatile and multi-talented enough to compete in multiple disciplines; even more rare is the skill to place at the top of the sport in multiple disciplines in the same year. But Atlanta, Georgia’s Kat Fuqua has achieved just that in 2022, finishing off her busy show season with multiple accolades at the 72nd Annual South Florida Hunter Jumper Association Charity Show, and adding to an impressive resume of multi-discipline wins. Her 2022 successes include a Reserve Champion finish in the FEI Prix St. Georges at the US Dressage Finals, multiple Grand Champion Junior Hunter wins, a top 3 finish in the Zone 4 Horse of the Year (HOTY) Medium Junior/Amateur Jumpers, and even a Reserve Champion finish at the 2022 Kentucky Maclay Regional Championships. Fifteen-year-old Fuqua was also named a USEF Dressage Emerging Athlete for 2022, was the first young rider to compete in both Jumping and Dressage at the 2021 North American Young Rider Championships (NAYC), and for 2023 aims to make the USEF European Young Rider team in dressage.

With the classical dressage as her foundation, and under the tutelage of Olympic Bronze Medalist Michelle Gibson, Fuqua stepped onto the dressage scene officially in 2021. In 2022, she and Dream Girl, a 14-year-old KWPN mare, rocketed up through the stratosphere to take Reserve Champion at the US Dressage Finals, just a few percentage points off the win in the FEI Prix St. Georges Open division. The mare was also awarded the Lloyd Landkamer Perpetual Trophy, honoring the highest scoring FEI mare. Prior to the US Dressage Finals, Fuqua was named a 2022 USEF Dressage Emerging Athlete, and was ranked 4th in the country for USDF Horse of the Year FEI Intermediaire I Open.

As her inaugural competitive discipline, Fuqua’s 2022 resume in the Hunters is no less stellar. With the elegant bay gelding Grand Remo, Fuqua won Junior Hunter Grand Champion at Devon, Grand Champion at the USEF Jr. Hunter Finals in 2021, Reserve Champion Junior Hunter Youngers at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Reserve Champion Junior Hunter at the Washington International Horse Show, and was chosen as the cover of this summer’s Chronicle of the Horse June issue. Just this past week, they were also the 2022 Best Junior Hunter Champion at the 72nd Annual SFHJA Charity Horse Show. Together with Grand Remo and her other hunter partners, Fuqua has amassed 8 USEF Horse of the Year titles, 2 Grand Champion titles at the National Horse Show, Grand Champion at Harrisburg, 10 WEF Circuit Championships, Grand Champion at Pony Finals, and to date is the highest earning Pony Derby Rider.

With the Junior Hunters in a sweep and Dressage a new-found success, the jumpers were the next target for Fuqua to set her sights on. She began trying her hand in the discipline less than 2 years ago, and in 2022 finished 3rd in the Zone 4 Horse of the Year Medium Jr./Amateur Jumpers with her own Nate Archibald. In 2021 she made history as the first rider to compete in both the Jumpers and Dressage at the North American Young Rider Championships, and was 10th in the National Devon Championship for High Junior Jumpers with her jumper Gargarin. This indoor season she competed in the High and Medium Junior Jumpers at the Washington International Horse Show, finishing 8th in the $5,000 High Jr./AO 1.40m Jumpers with Nate Archibald.

As icing on her triple threat cake, Fuqua also has been a up-and-coming competitor in the ASPCA Maclay Medal Finals. In 2022 she finished as Reserve Champion at the Kentucky Maclay Regional Championships and was in the Top 25 at the 2021 USEF Dover Seat Medal Finals in 2021.

Just this past week, Fuqua rounded out her 2022 competition schedule at the 72nd Annual SFHJA Charity Horse Show, claiming multiple accolades with her horses. She won the USET Talent Search with Class Act, owned by Emily Smith, and also took the overall win with Smith’s Quite Cassini in the Washington International Horse Show Equitation. Grand Remo remained worthy of his name with Champion in the Junior Hunters Under 15, Champion in the Jr./AA Classic Hunters, Champion Zone 4 Jr. Hunter, and earned Fuqua the title of Best Jr. Hunter Rider.

“Riding horses is what I truly love, whether it’s in a major competition or just enjoying their company at the farm,” said Fuqua. “This fall I began working with Emily & Ken of Ashland Farms, and love their calm but effective training. My goals are to continue to level up in the Jumper ring and get the Equitation down! My heart for the Hunters will never change, remembering back to big pony trainer and judge Mindy Darst who brought me to my first WEF in 2014 and was one of the founders of the USEF Pony Finals. I’ll never give up being a role model for the new pony kids comping up and my goal is to be a top rider in all of my disciplines.”

Kat Fuqua is becoming a household name in multiple equestrian disciplines, known not only for her versatility as a rider but also for the quality of her rides. She began competing at double AA Hunter/Jumper shows at the age of 6, and at 11 years old won the USEF Pony Finals & Grand Champion. She repeated the honor the following year as a 12-year-old, and added the USEF Marshall & Sterling Pony Medal. Her Junior Grand Hunter Championship wins include the 2022 Devon Jr. Hunter Grand Champion, 2021 USEF Jr. Hunter Finals Grand Champion, 2020 & 2021 National Horse Show Jr. Hunter Grand Champion, and 2021 Pennsylvania National Horse Show Jr. Hunter Grand Champion. In the Equitation, she won 2022 Reserve Champion at the Kentucky Maclay Regional Championships and finished Top 25 at the 2021 USEF Dover Seat Medal Finals.

In 2020 she began actively competing in both dressage and jumping, as well as the hunters. She made history as the first rider to ever compete in both disciplines at the 2021 NAYC, where she received 3 Bronze Medals in dressage and finished 4th overall in the Children’s Jumper Team competition. She earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals for USDF Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I in 2021, and was named the USEF Dressage Festival of Champions Junior Champion that year. In 2022 she was named a USEF Dressage Emerging Athlete.

Fuqua is currently a full-time freshman at Holy Innocence Episcopal High School in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. She also is a contributor to Elite Equestrian Magazine, writing her own Kat’s Korner column about her horses and life as an upcoming young equestrian.

“I like to inspire riders but showing how even though being a competitive equestrian is tough and a fail often, I get back up and try again to achieve my goals and dreams,” said Fuqua. “I have a lot of pressure going into 2023, but I spend a lot of time at my home base, Collecting Gaits Farm, personally taking care of my horses when I can to build the bond that I think leads them to work harder for me in the show ring. I feel very lucky that so many people want to help me succeed.”

For more information on Kat Fuqua, visit her website at www.KatFuqua.com.

Media contact:
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
Holly Johnson
holly@equinium.com
www.equinium.com

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Carl Hester’s Dressage Challenge Is LIVE in Ridely Right Now

Are you ready to take on the challenge? This is a fun new way of learning and improving your riding.

The Carl Hester Dressage Challenge

Together with Carl, we have made a series of challenges that target specific areas of training to help you squeeze a few more marks out of your dressage tests. Each challenge will focus on a different set of movements, and you will find a few brand new videos with Carl as well as a step by step guide to help you improve the specific movement.

Prize for best improvement

During each challenge we want to see your progress, so we encourage you to share your before and after videos, where the best improvement will win an exciting prize. Each challenge will run for 4 weeks before the next one launches — make sure those notifications are on.

Challenge #1: Halts and Centre Lines

They’re in every single dressage test, so why not aim to get a 10? In this first challenge, Carl gives you his tips for getting the perfect centre line and halt. It’s live right now so you can head into the app to begin.

In this first challenge, the best improvement will win a brand new LeMieux x Ridely saddle pad, signed by Carl Hester himself. Don’t miss out on the chance to improve your test scores AND win a signed saddle pad — everyone’s a winner.

teamridely@ridely.com

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Equinium Sports Mktg.

Gótico Interagro Augments Accolades with 2022 USDF Awards

Leave a comment

Photo: Gótico Interagro and Randi Joslyn.

Mashapaug, CT (November 7, 2022) – Gótico Interagro and owner Randi Joslyn of Quadrifoglio Dressage added a few more accolades to their list of awards earned during their 18-month partnership. In that short period of time, the pair has been named to multiple Championships and Reserve Championships for the United States Dressage Association (USDF) and their local GMO, and plan to move up to the Prix St. Georges Level in 2023, with their sights set on their first CDI.

Bred by Interagro Lusitanos in Brazil, Gótico came to Joslyn in the spring of 2021. After seeing something special in the beautiful mahogany bay gelding, a week later Gótico was part of the Quadrifoglio family. The pair started out at Second Level, and in less than a year they were named the 2021 USDF US Lusitano Reserve Champion in the Third Level Open division, the 2021 Connecticut Dressage Association Third Level Open Champion, the 2022 US Lusitano Champion at Fourth Level in both the Open and Adult Amateur divisions, and the USDF Fourth Level Vintage Cup Champion. Gótico has since been successfully schooling the Prix St. Georges and FEI movements, pulling from the natural athleticism, intelligence, and rideability Interagro strives for in their breeding program.

Gótico Interagro is by Profano Interagro, a stallion known for producing exceptionally versatile and athletic offspring. Gótico, before being exported to the US, was highly awarded in Working Equitation, and was beloved in Interagro’s training barns as a young horse because of his exceptional personality. The gelding’s unique character and abilities are what drew Joslyn to him to start, and have proven to be an incredibly important aspect of their training up the levels.

“He has the most amazing personality,” said Joslyn. “I describe him as an old soul because it’s like there is a wisdom about him. He is picky about who he sees as ‘his people,’ but he is kind to everyone. He’s extremely athletic and incredibly smart. He picks up on new skills quickly and then goes out of his way to make you happy. There is also a regal side to him, so much so that he has become affectionately known as ‘his lordship’ in the barn. I’m really looking forward to moving up with him and I hope to someday compete with him at Grand Prix. He truly is the most amazing horse and I feel very honoured that he let me into his enormous heart.”

For more information on Interagro Lusitanos, Interagro’s horses for sale, or the Lusitano bloodlines, visit Interagro’s website at www.lusitano-interagro.com.

Media contact:
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
Holly Johnson
holly@equinium.com
www.equinium.com