Tag Archives: dressage

Young American Dressage Superstar Endel Ots Heads to the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions on Toscano

Endel Ots, who rides with Danish Olympian Lars Petersen, is headed to the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions with Kristin and Steve Cooper’s KWPN gelding Toscano. (Photo courtesy of SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, FL (September 1, 2011) – American dressage rider Endel Ots has built up quite a successful resume for a 26-year-old, and the young dressage star has no plans of slowing down. Ots, who rides with Danish Olympian Lars Petersen, is headed to the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions with Kristin and Steve Cooper’s KWPN gelding Toscano.  Ots will be the youngest competitor in the Intermediaire I Pan American Games Selection Trials.

Ots, who is originally from Wisconsin, said he received a call from the Coopers, of Lamplight Equestrian Center, while he was in Germany. “I was training with Hubertus Schmidt when I got the call from Lamplight to ride and show their horses,” Ots said. “I had talked to Caroline Roffman about training with Lars, who was one of my childhood idols, and she spoke highly of him so I moved to Wellington with Toscano to begin training.”

Ots’ hard work with Toscano paid off and the gelding was undefeated at the Lamplight show. “He won all his classes with a 70.2% in the Intermediaire I and a 74% in the Prix St. George, in front of Olympic Judge Linda Zang. He is in top shape heading to Gladstone,” Ots said.

While Ots is thrilled to be riding Toscano, he has proven that he has a gift for taking young horses and training them from scratch to championship titles. “I love nothing more than working with young horses and bringing them along and into their own.  I also enjoy riding seasoned FEI horses and working with young riders and adult amateurs to help them accomplish their goals,” Ots said, adding that he has years of experience teaching everyone from beginners to adult amateurs. “I coached my sister to a Bronze medal at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships and to top place finishes at Gladstone.”

Continue reading Young American Dressage Superstar Endel Ots Heads to the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions on Toscano

Dressage Rider Caroline Roffman Takes Three for Three Tri-Colored Ribbons at the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships

Caroline Roffman riding Bon Chance at the 2011 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships. (Photo compliments of PhelpsPhotos.com)

Wayne, IL (August 30, 2011) – On the same weekend that Hurricane Irene battered its way up the East Coast, dressage rider Caroline Roffman took the 2011 Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships at the Lamplight Equestrian Center by storm. Roffman, of Wellington, Florida, rode away with three Reserve Championships aboard San City, Bon Chance, and Pie, once again solidifying her place in the dressage world as a successful trainer and competitor.

“San City was Reserve Champion in the Five-Year-Old division, Bon Chance tied for the Championship in the Six-Year-Olds, although because it is an American show the tie breaker goes to the American horse, and Pie finished as Reserve Champion in the Developing Horse Championships,” Roffman said. “What a weekend!”

Roffman was especially pleased with San City, a Hanoverian eventing stallion owned by Linda Crabtree, who made history in the Five-Year-Old Preliminary Test when he earned an 89% and a comment of “Wow” from judge Linda Zang.

“On the first day San City was amazing and he went above and beyond what he had ever done before,” Roffman said. “He really couldn’t have done any better. His 89% score was the highest ever given in the U.S. He was a little tired the second day, but I am still so proud of him.”

Continue reading Dressage Rider Caroline Roffman Takes Three for Three Tri-Colored Ribbons at the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships

One Year to Go to 2012 London Paralympic Games

Marco Alves at the 2008 Paralympic Games where he won Brazil’s first Paralympic equestrian medal

Lausanne (SUI), 29 August 2011 – Today, 29 August 2011, marks the one-year countdown to next year’s Paralympic Games. A record number of 4,200 athletes from 150 countries are set to convene in London (GBR) between 29 August and 9 September 2012 and compete in 503 events in 21 sports.

For the XIV Paralympic Games and the fifth appearance of Para-Dressage on the programme – equestrian sport made its Paralympic debut at the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 – there could not be a more fitting host nation. Great Britain has been a Para-Dressage power house when it comes to Paralympic, World and European events, taking team gold at every turn and pushing the level and quality of the sport to greater heights.

“We count ourselves as one of the luckiest International Federations in the family and feel our sport is coming home with the 2012 Paralympic Games, as Great Britain has such a strong tradition of equestrianism and para-equestrianism,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya commented. “The location of the equestrian events in Greenwich Park means we are at the heart of the Games and we are very proud to be given centre stage. We are really looking forward to the event and will be counting the days to what will be glorious Games.”

Sixty-eight competitors from 16 nations had made the trip to Atlanta, GA (USA) to compete on borrowed horses in the first Paralympic competition in 1996. In 2008 the number of competitors had increased to 78 and the number of nations had nearly doubled; the horses, no longer borrowed, flew in from all corners of the globe.

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Exciting Conclusion for the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship, USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship, and USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals

Marlena Kurz and Ode. All photos: Chuck Swan/Swan Photography LLC

Wayne, IL – Competition finished up Sunday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center as the top 6-year-olds and developing horses in the U.S. vied for top honors in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship and USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship sponsored by The Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales International. Additionally, nine competitors would ride for medals in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today in the 14-18 division.

The final day of these USEF National Dressage Championships got underway with the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today. The strong field demonstrated solid fundamentals and poise under pressure throughout the entire class including the challenging pattern. The final three riders to demonstrate the pattern, which called for proficiency in transitions between gaits and the ability to lengthen and collect, would claim the top three spots.

All three riders were competing in their first USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals presented by Dressage Today on borrowed horses.

Marlena Kurz (San Antonio, TX) claimed top honors and the Gold medal riding Ode to an impressive 84%. Kurz was able to make the numerous transitions in the pattern look effortless by utilizing a soft and consistent contact and a correct seat.

Despite having only ridden Stephanie Fettig’s Dutch Warmblood since Tuesday, the 16-year-old was delighted with the gelding. “Even when he was tired he gave it his all, he was really with me the whole time. He’s a good boy I really enjoyed riding him.”

Continue reading Exciting Conclusion for the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship, USEF National Developing Horse Dressage Championship, and USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals

Carola Diener (GER) Is the New World Pair Driving Champion

World champion Carola Diener (GER) during the obstacle driving competition at the FEI World Pair Driving Championships 2011. Photo © Rinaldo de Craen/FEI

Dutch Team Keep Team Gold

Conty (FRA), 24-28 August 2011 – Twenty-three-year-old Carola Diener (GER) became the new world champion at the 15th FEI World Pair Driving Championships at Conty, France. She performed a superb dressage test, drove a wonderful marathon and was near-perfect in the obstacle driving competition. The silver medal went to home representative Stéphane Chouzenoux; Tom Engbers from The Netherlands won individual bronze.

The Dutch team, led by Harry de Ruyter, who was appointed chef d’équipe in February, took home the gold while Germany claimed the silver. The host nation was delighted to win the bronze.

Ladies first
Germany was represented with two lady drivers for the first time in history: German pair champion Carola Diener as a team member and 15-year-old Anna Sandmann as an individual competitor. Carola set the basis for her first world medal in the dressage test, which she won ahead of the experienced drivers Beat Schenk (SUI) and Georg Moser (AUT). Diener, who is the stable manager of German international four-in-hand driver Christoph Sandmann, came 12th in the marathon but kept her lead in the individual standings. The marathon was won by 24-year-old Tom Engbers, ahead of Tibor Nagy jr. (HUN), aged only 21. Diener was last to go in the very difficult obstacle driving competition, designed by Barry Hunter (GBR). Going into the last phase, Carola had one ball in hand as well as some time penalties but the professional horsewoman that she is kept her cool leaving all the balls on the cones and recording only 1,94 penalty points for exceeding the time allowed. “It is an incredible feeling to be the new world champion, but it hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” she said.

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

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

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

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

Exquis Nadine Retires

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

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

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.

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

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