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Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar Claim FEI Grand Prix Special Victory

Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (March 20, 2015) – Katherine Bateson-Chandler snared the blue ribbon in the Grand Prix Special at the recent Adequan Global Dressage Festival 10 CDI-W against a strong field of competitors. She her longtime partner Alcazar, Jane Forbes Clark’s ten-year-old KWPN gelding (Cantango-Polin, Ferro), earned a 71.255 percent as the sun set on the international dressage series’ show grounds.

The victory was their first in the 2015 CDI season — following several Grand Prix wins in the national division — and she was thrilled with their results.

“I just can’t believe we won the Grand Prix Special!” Bateson-Chandler exclaimed. “I’m so, so proud of baby ‘Lonzie’ all grown up. He was brave under the lights and trusted me. I’m thankful to all our amazing supporters. For sure we couldn’t have done close to this without you.”

Bateson-Chandler explains that the gelding is a tricky horse, and his show anxiety causes him to appear lazy instead of nervous. She and her coach in the U.S., Debbie McDonald, have been working on improving his confidence — and as he showed in the Grand Prix Special, he is truly coming to trust his rider as they head down centerline.

“I’m overwhelmingly happy with my win,” Bateson-Chandler smiled. “My goal had been to go in and give my horse some confidence under the lights and he so beyond exceeded my expectations. I still can’t quite believe it! It’s so special to me that he could go in at night and pull off that test. It shows me how far we’ve come.”

The 39-year-old rider was born in the U.K., and moved to the U.S. in 1986 to be Robert Dover’s groom and assistant trainer. In 2008, she struck out on her own to begin her own training business.

In 2010, Bateson-Chandler represented the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, aboard Nartan, also owned by Clark. As part of Team USA, the pair earned a fourth-place team finish and individually qualified for the Grand Prix Special. After Nartan’s retirement, she took over Alcazar’s ride from Dover. In 2014, they claimed the 2014 Adequan USDF Horse of the Year title for the Intermediaire II.

The horse and rider began their big tour this winter show season. The pair will be heading to the U.K. in April to work with Carl Hester and to compete in Europe.

Bateson-Chandler owns KBC Dressage in Wellington, where she offers training, coaching, lessons and clinics for horses and riders from the United States and Europe. She also offers scouting and prospect selection for clients seeking exceptional horses. Her experience at the international Grand Prix level offers riders a competitive edge — whether through coaching as an eye on the ground, bringing young horses up the levels, or campaigning seasoned FEI competitors. Learn more at www.kbcdressage.com.

Contact: Katherine Bateson-Chandler
Kbcdressage@me.com
908-391-9096

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