Caroline Roffman and Her Highness O. (Photo courtesy of Al Guden)
Gladstone, NJ (June 19, 2014) – A summer in Europe is now reality for Caroline Roffman and her Grand Prix mare Her Highness O, as they completed the US Festival of Champions with an overall score of 72.760% to finish sixth. Their electric performances in the Grand Prix, Special, and Freestyle landed them in the top 8, securing a spot for the pair to compete in Europe this summer and contend with 6 other US riders for the remaining spots on the US Dressage Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France.
Her Highness O, known around the barn as Hannah, showed the poise and power of a seasoned Grand Prix competitor during the four days of competition at the Festival of Champions in Gladstone, New Jersey. Held at the United States Equestrian Team Headquarters, the US Festival of Champions served as the selection trials for the US Dressage Team for the World Equestrian Games with the top 2 Grand Prix riders earning a spot on the team, and the next 6 traveling to Europe to compete.
In the mare’s fifth time ever showing the at the Grand Prix level, the pair rode accurate and expressive tests both Thursday and Saturday, followed by an upbeat Freestyle to pop music, including Katy Perry’s Roar. The freestyle, which they performed during the 2014 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, went viral on Youtube before the Championships, with over 20,000 views. During her Freestyle at the Festival of Champions, Roffman and the jet black Hanoverian mare by Hohenstein delivered an electric performance with an impressive piaffe and passage tour, neat pirouettes, and expressive changes.
“I could not be happier with Hannah,” said Roffman, who at 25 was the youngest competitor invited to compete at the Festival of Champions. “Despite being very hot, she stayed with me and was able to translate that energy into expression in the tests. I’m very much looking forward to showing her in Europe, and really can’t thank my team, sponsors, and advocates for all of their support, including Custom Saddlery, Equiline, Vita Flex, Creative Marketing, Derby Boots, MDC Stirrups, Choice of Champions, Triple Crown Custom, Charles Owen, Premier Equestrian, SSG Riding Gloves, Divine Fitness, and The Horse of Course.”
No strangers to the European stage, Roffman and Hannah competed last year in the small tour with reserve finishes in France, and was in the top 7 finishers in the Prix St. Georges at the CDIO Aachen. Now they will return to Europe at the Grand Prix level with their sights set on representing the United States at the World Equestrian Games.
To view Roffman’s freestyle, visit the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS37D60i-vo. Follow Caroline Roffman and learn more about the horses and services of Lionshare Dressage at www.lionsharedressage.com.
For more information contact:
Caroline Roffman
Lionshare Dressage
www.lionsharedressage.com
1-617-633-1003
lionsharedressage@gmail.com