Tag Archives: Steffen Peters

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

Great Britain’s Dujardin Shines, and Peters Springs a Nice American Surprise

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Defending champions, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, lived up to expectations when winning the Grand Prix on the opening day of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas, USA. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Las Vegas (USA), 16 April 2015 – Defending champions, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, lived up to expectations when winning the Grand Prix on the opening day of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas, USA today. The reigning Olympic, World and European title-holders produced a brilliant test to finish over six marks ahead of The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover, but the big hero of the day was America’s Steffen Peters who lined up third with Legolas just over two marks further adrift.

The home crowd was naturally hoping for strong performances from their two contenders, and, fourth to go, Laura Graves and Verdades were hotly-tipped to give the leaders a run for their money. But it was 50-year-old Peters, winner the last time the FEI World Cup™ Finals visited Las Vegas in 2009, who once again lifted American spirits with a master-class of superb horsemanship.

Tested concentration and nerve

The arena itself is a challenge at the Thomas & Mack Centre, providing only just enough space to fit the dressage boards inside, and the proximity to the crowd tested concentration and nerve. Graves‘ 13-year-old gelding, who has been on fire on the outdoor Florida circuit over the last few months, found it intimidating as her rider pointed out after posting a score of 74.314. “He was at 80% in the warm-up, but he was nervous going in (to the arena) and he was really hot down the first centreline. Luckily we have that extension to get out some of it, but then it just turned into some of our turns – he would get something in his eye, a flash or whatnot – and he just backed up a little. But he was really obedient; he really tried to be brave, so I couldn’t ask for any more,” she explained.

One contender whose nerves definitely didn’t show was the oldest horse in the competition, the 18-year-old Painted Black, who was previously ridden by nine-time FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion Anky van Grunsven from The Netherlands, and who is continuing to thrive for new partner, Morgan Barbancon Mestre. The 23-year-old Spaniard produced an extraordinary test, with the stallion apparently on springs through lovely passage and piaffe and giving it his all through extended trot for a score of 73.786.

Whole new level

But once Dujardin and Valegro set sail the bar was raised to a whole new level. The British rider had been concerned about her multiple-record-breaking gelding who she said had been “a bit flat” over the last few days. But when the lights went on the curtain came up he turned into the showman the world has come to know and love. Pounding out his trademark passage and piaffe, strutting his stuff through extravagant extended trot, and producing the most exquisite of pirouettes he soared to the top of the leaderboard with a mark of 85.414, and none of the rest would come near that.

Germany’s Isabell Werth has competed in 14 FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals and the double-champion can always be relied upon to be competitive, but with a mark of 72.843 with El Santo she had to settle for eighth place today. The main challenge came from the final three, Peters demonstrating his craft by coaxing some wonderful work from the 13-year-old Legolas whose trot-tour was copybook. Posting 76.843 the American was in runner-up spot before Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover set off.

No-one knew what to expect of this edgy black gelding in this electrifying environment, and he broke into canter in the movement requiring walk to passage. But the quality of the rest of his test was good enough for a mark of 79.057, and once Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB made some mistakes including fluffing their two-tempis, then they had to settle for fourth place ahead of Graves in fifth and Barbancon Mestre in sixth.

Bounced back

Dujardin was delighted that Valegro bounced back today. “He had a massive journey and it hit him as well as the temperature change, but I got on him today and he was all ready to go. I think he just knew what he had to do and that’s what I mean – he just never lets me down!” she said.

Peters was on a high, because he knew his third-place result was unexpected. “It’s a big surprise to a lot of people and myself too!” he said. He competed Legolas in Florida in January “and it didn’t go so well”. The horse had a break following last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy, and had only just come back to work. His poor result was a shock. “We got barely 70%, so I knew if we wanted to qualify for Las Vegas we needed to change things drastically,” Peters explained, and it seems he left nothing to chance. “He’s had lots of outings and we even went to an event three hours north where there were about 100 people and a lot of noise and atmosphere. We recorded cheering and music, and put it on a five-minute sound-file and played it over the audio system. We prepared a lot, and I’m thrilled because it has worked out beautifully!” he said, and no-one could argue with that.

Strain

Gal said that the trip from Europe was difficult for horses, and not being able to ride for three days while they were in quarantine was also a strain. “But he felt actually quite okay,” he said of Glock’s Undercover. “He was good in training, but today in the walk to passage we made a mistake. Sometimes I find the tension flows away and then comes back up again when I’m riding him, but he did good. A year ago I couldn’t have done what we did today,” he said, knowing that his horse is still improving, even at 14 years of age.

With everyone scoring well over the required 60%, all 18 now go through to the Freestyle which will decide the new champion, and with Dujardin and Valegro in sparkling form it seems a back-to-back double is very much on the cards for the wonder-horse and his super-talented rider. But Laura Graves hasn’t given up hope of making a big impression when the Freestyle gets underway at 12 noon on Saturday.

The American who rocketed to centre stage with a fifth-place individual finish in Normandy last summer said this afternoon, “That’s where we’re going to pull out the big guns, hopefully! Now having this one (the Grand Prix) under our belt, we’ll have a little school tomorrow, and I know my horse will be more confident on Saturday and then we’ll push the envelope!”

For further information on the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final in Las Vegas, USA from 15 to 19 April, visit www.worldcuplasvegas.com or contact Press Officer Marty Baumann, marty@classic-communications.com, +1 508 698 6810.

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

Olympic, World, European and reigning Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage champions, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and the gelding Valegro, won the Grand Prix at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, USA today.

There were four former FEI World Cup™ Dressage winning riders amongst the start-list of 18, and three of them claimed the podium placings, 2010 champion, The Netherlands’ Edward Gal, finishing second with Glock’s Undercover, and the USA’s Steffen Peters, who topped the podium in Las Vegas in 2009, standing third.

The Grand Prix decides the starting order for Saturday’s Freestyle which will decide the fate of the 2015 Reem Acra title.

FEI YouTube: https://youtu.be/bz3qwSNiJ-4.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Las Vegas:

Marty Baumann
Press Officer
marty@classic-communications.com
+1 508 698 6810

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

Dressage, FEI, JRPR

Selfies with Steffen Peters & a Chance to Win a Custom Saddle at the 2015 FEI World Cup

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Olympian Steffen Peters who rides in Custom Saddlery Saddles will be available to take selfies with fans at the 2015 FEI World Cup Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Las Vegas, NV (April 13, 2015) — Custom Saddlery, the official saddle of the United States Dressage Team, will co-host a memory-making experience at the 2015 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage and Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Finals on April 15-19, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bringing the centuries-old tradition of dressage distinctly into the 21st century, Custom Saddlery will offer autograph-signing and photo-taking ‘selfie’ opportunities with U.S. Olympian, 2009 World Cup Champion, and Custom Saddlery ambassador Steffen Peters on Thursday April 16th at the USEF Booth — following his performances with partner Legolas 92, owned by Four Winds Farm.

“Custom Saddlery will be cheering on all the riders, including Steffen, who has been riding in Custom Saddles for more than a decade,” said Custom Saddlery founder, Cary Wallace. Custom Saddlery will also offer a drawing to win a new Custom Saddle (winner to be drawn in Las Vegas but need not be present to win). They will also be debuting a new dressage saddle co-branded with USEF, and launching their USEF Perk program that offers a free girth and stirrup leathers to USEF members with the purchase of a new Custom Saddle through the USEF Perks program.

Custom Saddlery produces handcrafted products of the finest materials that ensure superior fit for horses and riders. Innovative Custom models include the Steffen’s Advantage Monoflap design and the Steffen’s Advantage that was crafted to Peters’ own specifications. Peters calls Custom Saddlery saddles “The best dressage saddles on the market.” With new all-time high scores on Legolas 92, and a four-wins-in-four-starts streak on eight-year-old Rheinlander mare Rosamunde (Rock Forever-First Lady, Fidermark), Peters is poised to ‘customize’ another Vegas victory as well as the selfies of his fans at the USEF booth!

Based in Aiken, South Carolina, Custom Saddlery is the saddle maker of choice for riders around the world and Official Saddle of the U.S. Dressage Team. The company offers 22 innovative, one-of-a-kind dressage saddles, professional fitting services and custom saddle accessories. To learn more about Custom Saddlery, visit www.mysaddle.com or call 1-800-235-3865.

For more information contact:
Custom Saddlery, Cary Wallace
www.mysaddle.com
cary@mysaddle.com
1-800-235-3865

Dressage, USEF

Peters, Konyot, Lyle Land Top Five Finishes on Day 2 of CDI4* Fritzens

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Peters and Legolas 92 at the 2014 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions (SusanJStickle.com)

Fritzens, Austria – The U.S. continued to showcase strong form on Saturday at CDI4* Fritzens with riders securing three of the top five placings in Big Tour competition. Steffen Peters, Tina Konyot, and Adrienne Lyle, all members of the Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games U.S. Dressage Team and London Olympic Games veterans, helped the U.S. to monopolize the top placings in the Grand Prix for the Freestyle. Earlier in the day Peters earned his second Small Tour victory of the weekend.

“America had another great day in Fritzens today,” said U.S Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover. “I am very excited and hopeful that we will see more excellent U.S. rides and results tomorrow in the Grands Prix Special and Freestyle.”

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92 demonstrated the form that has helped them earn three National Titles as they scored 75.340% on Saturday. The 12-year-old Westphalian gelding finished in second place, 8/10s of a point behind the day’s winner.

Earning a third-place finish in the Grand Prix for the Special was Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) and her veteran 16-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion Calecto V on a score of 72.600%.

Rounding out the U.S. effort on Saturday was Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) and Peggy Thomas’ 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Wizard, who finished in fifth place on a score of 68.640%.

Austria’s Victoria Max-Theurer collected her second victory of the weekend, winning Saturday’s class on a score of 76.180% with Augustin OLD.

To start the day Peters and Konyot both represented the U.S. in Small Tour competition performing the Intermediaire I Test. Peters and Four Winds Farm’s seven-year-old Rheinlander mare Rosamunde earned their second victory of the week after scoring 76.026%. Konyot and Bruce Grivetti’s 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding Wyoming finished in 18th place on a score of 64.605%.

Competition at CDI4* Fritzens comes to a close on Sunday with Peters, Konyot, and Lyle riding in the Grand Prix Freestyle. Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.), Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.), Caroline Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and Lisa Wilcox (Loxahatchee, Fla) will perform the Grand Prix Special.

Learn more about the CDI4* Fritzens here.

Follow the U.S. Dressage Team here.

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, USEF

Peters Claims Grand Prix and Intermediaire I Titles on Final Day of U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

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Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)

Sadis Earns Pony Rider Crown

Gladstone, N.J. – The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp came to an exciting conclusion on the fourth and final day of competition as Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, and Pony Rider Champions were all crowned. In the Grand Prix championship, Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 clinched their third consecutive National Title with their best performance of the week. For the third consecutive test, the top placings remained the same as Peters scored Champion and Reserve honors in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. In the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship, Katrina Sadis kicked off the morning by claiming her first National Title.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship hosted the third and final leg of competition as all 16 competitors earned the remaining 15% of their overall total for the Freestyle Tests.

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) entered the Dick and Jane Brown Arena on Sunday like a man on a mission to not only add another Grand Prix National title to his resume but also to ride a completely clean test. In both the Grand Prix Test and Grand Prix Special, Four Winds Farm’s 12-year-old Westphalian gelding displayed quality work but suffered a few mistakes in the two tests. In the Freestyle, the 2012 and 2013 National Champions performed their best test of the week to score 79.700% and win the class on their way to claiming their third consecutive title on a championship score of 76.036%.

Peters will spend the next two months competing in Europe as he looks to represent the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France this summer.

“I would have loved to have that last one-tempi but the rest felt right on,” said Peters of his Freestyle. “There’s a bit of a different warm-up and I hope we can maintain that until August.”

The double Bronze medalist from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games believes that his partnership with Legolas 92 has grown over the last two years and thinks that it has helped him as he warms-up the talented gelding. The added preparation has particularly paid off in the flying changes which often served as a weak spot for the pair in the past.

“I’m very, very happy with Legolas today. I’m very happy I don’t have to compromise as much in the warm-up now,” said Peters. “I’m at a point we can school more in the warm-up and it’s certainly showing in the changes.”

Finishing in second on Sunday were Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades on a score of 78.425% in their second ever Grand Prix Freestyle. The pair also captured the Reserve honors with a championship score of 74.226% in only their first year competing on the Big Tour.

This was also the first time the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding had competed in three classes in the same show. While he was a bit tired on Sunday afternoon, Graves was nonetheless ecstatic with her horse’s performance throughout the week.

“I don’t know if I’m in a place to complain. I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Graves. “My horse has come so far in a such a short time.”

Finishing third in the Freestyle were Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, Calif.) and Beth Meyer, Ann Romney, and Amy Ebeling’s 17-year-old Oldenburg mare Rafalca on a score of 76.900%. The London Olympic Games veterans also placed third in the overall championship on a score of 74.143%.

Steffen Peters and Rosamunde (SusanJStickle.com)
Steffen Peters and Rosamunde (SusanJStickle.com)

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

Peters ended up in a familiar place with his two mounts in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. Peters claimed the top two places in the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle with Rosamunde and Apassionata, finishing first and second, respectively, as he has done in all three legs of the championship. He and Rosamunde were the final pair of the 17 Small Tour combinations to enter the ring and earn the remaining 15% of their championship score. Peters and Four Winds Farm’s seven-year-old Rheinlander mare had a spectacular Freestyle with graceful music, receiving an impressive score of 79.300%.

“This was her second Freestyle. I’ve had a chance to do one in California and that worked out great. Today was even better,” Peters stated. “What she did here today was absolutely phenomenal, very clean, expressive, and she felt supple. It just was one of those things you have to be thrilled with.”

After coming down centerline, the pair wasted no time getting to the challenging movements, performing their three tempi changes across the diagonal. All of their canter work was excellent, highlighted by extended canter to their canter pirouettes. The pair’s trot tour was top-notch as well and they finished with extended trot to their final halt and salute. After earning their third and final score, Peters and Rosamunde won The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship title with an overall score of 76.082%.

With Rosamunde’s stablemate, Tracy Roenick’s Apassionata also had a fantastic freestyle with Peters in the irons. He and the eight-year-old Oldenburg mare rode to up-tempo classical music, getting down to business with their canter work right off the bat. They made a smooth, consistent effort, ending with strong trot work to earn a score of 76.175%. With solid performances throughout the championship, Peters and Apassionata received the Reserve Champion title with a final score of 73.540%.

Olivia Lagoy-Weltz (Reston, Va.) with her own Rassing’s Lonoir finished third in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship with an overall score of 72.407%. She and the 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding collect a score of 75.575% in the Freestyle and third place for their efforts.

Katrina Sadis and Poldy 10 (SusanJStickle.com)
Katrina Sadis and Poldy 10 (SusanJStickle.com)

USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship 

Sadis (Ann Arbor, Mich.) produced an excellent FEI Pony Rider Individual Test with Poldy 10 to score 73.561%. The pair topped the field of 11, earning the remaining 50% of their championship score. Sadis and Dressage4Kids, Inc.’s 18-year-old German Riding Pony gelding had a fluid test with great canter work. For their efforts in the championship, she and Poldy 10 claimed the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship with an overall score of 71.973%.

“My ride was amazing,” Sadis said. “He was with me the whole time. He was a little tired after this week but he really tried for me.”

Sadis next has her sights set on Dressage at Devon at the end of this summer with Poldy 10, and then will likely move up to the Junior level.

“He’s been amazing and it has been an amazing opportunity. He’s always willing to work with me,” Sadis stated of being able to lease Poldy 10, after never having shown above First Level before the start of their partnership.

Fifteen-year-old Jessica Fan rode Leslie Fan’s Madoc Prince Phillip to a score of 66.049% after performing a smooth test with very nice trot work and a solid canter tour. The Lake Jackson, Texas native and the 11-year-old Welsh Pony gelding’s consistent performance on Sunday clinched the Reserve Championship title with a final score of 65.999%.

“I had a very good ride today,” Fan explained. “My pony was also a bit tired after the long week but he tried his heart out for me. I felt like he pushed it to the limit today.”

Fan has partnered with “Phillip” for seven years but now will look for a horse as she plans to move up to the Junior ranks.

Hanna Benne (Satellite Beach, Fla.) and her and Susanne Benne’s Helluva Dream Maker scored 63.537%. With an overall score of 65.051%, the 13-year-old rider and the seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding finished third in the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship.

Watch the remaining championship divisions unfold with on-demand footage from today and Thursday and live streaming on Saturday and Sunday on the USEF Network. Go to http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014usdfoc/.

Find out more information about the event at http://www.usefconnect.com/festival/.

By Helen Murray and Kathleen Landwehr

Dressage, USEF, USEF

Peters Cruises as Buffini, Schmidt, & Dagge Claim National Titles at Day 3 of US Dressage Festival of Champions

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Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)

Gladstone, N.J. – The third day of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp hosted a packed day of competition as riders across five divisions went to task in the USET Foundation Headquarters’ Dick and Jane Brown Arena. In Grand Prix competition Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 took another step to claiming their third consecutive National Title with a win in the Grand Prix Special. Peters also notched another one-two finish in the Small Tour Championship. Young Riders Anna Buffini and Cassie Schmidt claimed their first National Championship crowns in Young Rider and Junior competition on Saturday, respectively. In the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love closed Saturday sealing a wire-to-wire victory.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

Competitors in The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship and Selection Trial for the U.S. Dressage Team Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games returned to the Dick and Jane Brown Arena on Saturday to perform the FEI Grand Prix Special Test which counts for 40% of their championship total.

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) continues to lead the National Championship and Selection Trial after winning the Grand Prix Special with Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92 on a score of 75.647%. Just as in the Grand Prix on Thursday, the reigning National Champions suffered from a few bobbles in their test but produced quality work in the remainder of their test to best the field.

“I wish I could have ridden a clean test,” said Peters. “There were some highlights that make up for the mistakes. I was really happy with the changes and the half-pass. It’s still a learning curve.”

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games double Bronze medalist has been working hard on the 12-year-old Westphalian gelding’s fitness and believes that the added strength has Legolas 92 feeling better than ever, resulting in some of the bobbles the pair have had this year. However, Peters has been working closely with U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover, trainer Jo Hinnemann, and his wife Shannon to produce cleaner tests this summer.

“He’s always been an energetic horse and at the moment he feels quite fit and quite strong,” said Peter. “The Grand Prix and the Special have not been so clean (lately) but Jo, Robert, Shannon, and I are working on a plan for that.”

Finishing in second place on Saturday were Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades on a score of 74.549%. The 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding is competing in his first season at Grand Prix but is continually getting more established every time down centerline.

“We had a good go on Thursday, so I just played it the same,” said Graves of her strategy for the Grand Prix Special. “My horse was there for me; he’s getting much more comfortable in these tests but we still have work to do.”

Finishing in third place on Saturday were Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, Calif.) and Beth Meyer, Ann Romney, and Amy Ebeling’s 17-year-old Oldenburg mare Rafalca on a score of 74.294%.

In overall National Championship and Selection Trial competition Peters, Ebeling, and Graves stand first, second, and third, respectively. Big Tour competition comes to an end on Sunday with the Freestyle with combinations earning the final 15% of their championship sore.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

Competition in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship continued on Saturday with 16 of the 17 Small Tour combinations heading down centerline after storms on Friday afternoon delayed the majority of the class. In the second leg of the Intermediaire I Championship, 45% of the overall total was on the line for the FEI Intermediaire I Test.

In a repeat performance from Thursday, Peters cruised to the top two spots in the FEI Intermediaire I Test with Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde and Tracy Roenick’s Apassionata, on scores of 75.105% and 73.211%, respectively.

Peters was unfazed by having his Small Tour rides delayed due to the storms and believes both horses enjoyed having the day off from competition on Friday.

“It worked out well for me,” said Peters of the rain delay. “I like to take both girls for a walk on their days off. I took them out for a 45 minute walk around noon [yesterday] and they were great today.”

As the final Small Tour combination of the morning, Peters and Rosamunde demonstrated why they have been unbeatable this year with a near flawless performance on Saturday. The seven-year-old Rheinlander mare again displayed ground covering, athletic gaits as she topped the field by nearly two full points.

Peters believes Rosamunde, who is owned by long time owners Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki’s Four Winds Farm, believes that the mare has a huge future ahead of her but is not planning to start Big Tour competition until 2015.

“I’m one of the luckiest guys with owners like Akiko and Jerry who are supporting me with another horse. This is extremely exciting,” said Peters. “She’ll stay at the small tour; she’ll only be eight and I think that she could be a really valuable asset for the Pan American Games.”

Peters used all his experience and poise at the start of his test with Apassionata, as the eight-year-old Oldenburg mare spooked upon entering the ring. However, she quickly settled, producing an impressive effort throughout the test to finish in the runner-up spot to her barn mate.

Finishing in third place on Saturday was Olivia Lagoy-Weltz (Reston, Va.) with her own 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Rassing’s Lonoir on a score of 71.526%.

Peters holds the top two spots overall in the championship, with Lagoy-Weltz in third heading into Sunday’s Freestyle where the remaining 15% of the week’s total will be earned.

Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love (SusanJStickle.com)
Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love (SusanJStickle.com)

USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today

After earning 64.140% for the their FEI Young Adult U-25 Grand Prix Test, 22-year-old Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love came out on top of the leaderboard in the field of five. The Bonita Springs, Fla., native and her mother Birgitt Dagge’s 13-year-old Oldenburg stallion had a nice test, highlighted by quality trot work. The pair claimed the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today title with a final score of 64.404%.

“It went great today,” Dagge said. “I thought we had very nice passage and piaffe. I’m so proud of him, I’m so proud of us.”

Dagge plans to continue working on the Brentina Cup test as well as Grand Prix movements with Dream of Love.

“It has been a learning curve,” she explained. “We have had to work on the different steps to get to the Grand Prix level.”

Twenty-two-year-old Katrina Hiller (St. Germain, Wis.) rode her own The Toy Soldier to Reserve Champion honors after ending up with a final score of 62.279%. She and the 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding, who she has had since he was three, scored a 63.326% in their test on Saturday.

“I was happy with my ride. He was so willing,” Hiller said. “We are still green at this level but that was the cleanest test we have ridden.”

Rachel Chowanec (Columbia, Conn.) and Lendon Gray’s Embrujado XI finished in third place in the championship with an overall score of 61.465%. She and the 16-year-old PRE gelding had a nice test with clean one tempi changes, earning a 61.442%.

AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship

Ten riders entered the arena with the championship title on their minds as they performed the FEI Young Rider Individual Test. By earning the remaining 50% of their overall score, the winner of the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship was decided. Coming down the centerline as the penultimate combination for the second day in a row, Anna Buffini (Escondido, Calif.) and Sundayboy performed a magnificent test to earn a score of 74.711%.

Anna Buffini and Sundayboy (SusanJStickle.com)
Anna Buffini and Sundayboy (SusanJStickle.com)

The 20-year-old rider displayed her own 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding’s consistency throughout the test, highlighted by a great canter tour and beautiful trot work. For her efforts, Buffini claimed the 2014 AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship title with an overall average of 73.408%.

“I had a really good warm-up and I knew I had to sit down and ride,” Buffini explained. “He was there every step of the way and with me 100%.”

Buffini stated that she had a feeling halfway through the test that she knew her ride was turning into a special one, but knew she had to stay on task to get the job done.

“I felt like I left it all in the ring. It has been a really special experience throughout this whole show.”

Cassidy Gallman and Grand Makana had another solid performance on Saturday, earning a 68.474% for their test. The Poway, Calif., native and Joan Cvengros’ 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding put together a solid test with good canter pirouettes and flying changes. Though the pair was fifth in Saturday’s class, their respectable performances earned them the Reserve Champion title with a score of 68.579%.

“He was a little stuck in the beginning. I knew I was fighting with him but we had a good extended trot and the rest of our trot work improved from there,” Gallman said. “He was great in the tempis and overall I am very happy.”

Finishing third in the championship were Devon Wycoff (Boulder, Colo.) and her own 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding Power Play after earning an overall score of 67.882%. The pair demonstrated their partnership in the FEI Young Rider Individual Test, producing fluid effort to earn a 68.579%.

Taylor Yamamoto and Domino were second in the class with a score of 68.816%, while Jaclyn Pepper Taboo with a score of 68.605%.

AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship

The field of 12 junior riders completed their FEI Junior Individual Test to collect the remaining 50% of their championship score. Seventeen-year-old Cassie Schmidt rode a great test with Velasquer to earn a score of 69.342%. The Aledo, Texas native and Leslie Schmidt’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding had a very nice extended trot and good changes. Today’s performance sealed the deal for the pair to receive the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship title with a final score of 68.685%.

“I am so happy,” said Schmidt with a smile. “Our test went very well and we improved from yesterday.”

Schmidt and Velasquer improved from a fifth-place finish in the 2013 AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship.

“I couldn’t be happier. It is something I have been dreaming of,” Schmidt said of winning the championship. “I’m on cloud nine right now.”

Sixteen-year-old Bebe Davis (Bedminster, N.J.) and Rotano had a nice test with great canter work to claim Reserve Championship honors with an overall score of 68.160%. She and her father Michael Davis’s 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding painted a lovely picture, only marred by Rotano breaking into the canter during the extended trot, to score 68.184% in the class.

“The first part of our trot work was super great. Unfortunately he broke in the extended trot which was totally rider error,” Davis explained. “Even though we have been together for a while, I feel we have more of a partnership each time out.”

With a final championship score of 67.948%, 18-year-old Cameron Dauterive (Folsom, La.) and Don Giovanni were third in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship. She and her own 16-year-old Oldenburg gelding had a very smooth test to earn 68.868%.

In today’s class, Davis won with Feivel Mousekewitz on a score of 71.237%, while Schmidt and Velasquer were second and Dauterive and Don Giovanni were third.

USEF Gold Medal of Distinction Ceremony

At the conclusion of competition on Saturday, 17 athletes who have represented the United States in top-level dressage competition were honored in the USEF Gold Medal of Distinction Ceremony. Susan Blinks, Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Robert Dover, Debbie McDonald, Dorothy Morkis, Steffen Peters, Michael Poulin, Kathleen Raine, Gary Rockwell, Guenter Seidel, Christine Traurig, and Lisa Wilcox were all recognized for earning Team or Individual medals or having accumulated multiple top placings, both in the United States and abroad. Michelle Gibson, Hilda Gurney, Carol Lavell, Edith Master, and Leslie Morse were also awarded Gold Medals of Distinction but could not be present in Gladstone.

To learn more about the Gold Medal of Distinction, visit: http://www.usefnetwork.com/news/11292/2014/5/28/the_usef_gold_medal_of_distinction.aspx.

Watch the remaining championship divisions unfold with on-demand footage from today and Thursday and live streaming on Saturday and Sunday on the USEF Network. Go to http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014usdfoc/.

Find out more information about the event at http://www.usefconnect.com/festival/.

By Helen Murray and Kathleen Landwehr

Championships, Dressage, USEF, USEF

Peters Excels, Dagge Shines on Day One of U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

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Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)

Gladstone, N.J. – The U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp got underway on Thursday under gloomy, drizzly skies in the USET Foundation Headquarters’ Dick and Jane Brown Arena. Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 began their quest for a third consecutive Grand Prix National Title with a win in the Grand Prix. Additionally, Peters kicked off the day claiming the top two spot in the first test of The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love impressed in the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today to close out the first day of competition.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship and Selection Trial for the U.S. Dressage Team Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games got underway with the first of three tests on Thursday. All 16 Big Tour combinations performed the FEI Grand Prix Test to earn the initial 45% of their championship total. The awards ceremony of the opening class having a distinctively Olympic feel as the three top placings were occupied by the U.S. Team members from the 2012 Games with Peters, Jan Ebeling, and Tina Konyot led the victory gallop.

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Four Winds Farm’s 12-year-old Westphalian gelding earned the top mark in Grand Prix, scoring 75.160%, to finish nearly two points ahead of the second-place combination. The 2012 and 2013 National Champions suffered a bobble in the first piaffe and the two-time changes but produced consistent work through the rest of the test to land atop the leaderboard on Thursday.

“It was not our best test but he made up for it with his half-passes and second and third piaffes,” said Peters of Legolas 92’s Grand Prix performance. “It certainly was not our best but we’ll be looking to improve on that in the Grand Prix Special.”

While the Bronze medalist from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games had wished for a better performance for himself, he was pleased to see how well the younger riders and rising stars of the sport did on Thursday.

“I thought it was so exciting to see our youngsters in the Grand Prix,” said Peters of the future of dressage in the United States. “That was truly exciting.”

Finishing in second place with a score of 73.320% were Ebeling (Moorpark, Calif.) and Beth Meyer, Ann Romney, and Amy Ebeling’s 17-year-old Oldenburg mare Rafalca. The Olympic Games and World Cup Final veteran has had a light season in the show ring and arrived in Gladstone ready to peak.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with my horse; she was on, she’s fit,” said Ebeling. “I think the strategy I’ve had not showing a lot is really paying off. I’m tickled to death with her.”

Finishing in third place on Thursday was Konyot (Palm City, Fla.) with her 16-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion Calecto V on a score of 72.640%.

The Grand Prix Championship and Selection Trial continues on Saturday with all competitors returning to the Dick and Jane Brown Arena to earn a further 40% of their overall score in the FEI Grand Prix Special.

Steffen Peters and Rosamunde (SusanJStickle.com)
Steffen Peters and Rosamunde (SusanJStickle.com)

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship started the action in the Dick and Jane Brown Arena on Thursday with 17 Small Tour combinations earning the first 40% of their championship score for the FEI Prix St. Georges Test. In Intermediaire I competition Peters proved doubly unbeatable on Thursday by claiming the first and second spots with Rosamunde and Apassionata, respectively.

“I’m so excited that both mares were so rideable today, now I can get some comments and make some adjustments,” said Peters of his two Small Tour horses. “I’m so excited about both of them. I honestly had a blast riding both of them.”

As the second horse down centerline on Thursday, Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde, scored 75.974% to stand just over three points ahead of her barn mate after the first leg of competition. The seven-year-old Rheinlander mare displayed athletic and expressive gaits throughout the test as she showcased great potential for the future at the highest level of the sport.

“This is her first championship; it’s hard to put into words, she’s so special,” said Peters of Rosamunde. “She can be spicy but she went right to work. I’m speechless.”

Apassionata, Tracy Roenick’s eight-year-old Oldenburg mare, was the second ride of the day for Peters and has given the three-time Olympian an excellent chance to earn another National Title as she currently stands second after scoring 72.921%.

Finishing in third place in the Prix St. Georges test was Olivia Lagoy-Weltz (Reston, Va.) with her own 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Rassing’s Lonoir on a score of 72.211%.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship continues on Friday with the FEI Intermediaire I Test with combinations earning a further 45% of their championships score.

Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love (SusanJStickle.com)
Katrin Dagge and Dream of Love (SusanJStickle.com)

USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today

Five pairs performed their USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Test to earn the first 50% of their championship score in the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today. Twenty-two-year-old Katrin Dagge won the class after earning a score of 64.667% with her mother Birgitt Dagge’s Dream of Love. The Bonita Springs, Fla., native worked through a moment of resistance with the 13-year-old Oldenburg stallion before entering the arena to perform a lovely test. The pair had quality trot work and good changes, showcasing its partnership.

“We had a moment before we went in where he threw me a curve ball like he has done a time or two before but I rode him forward and through it,” Dagge explained. “I was really happy with him and really proud of him.”

“Lover,” as he is known in the barn, was imported from Germany as a four-year-old and he and Dagge have come up the levels together. On Thursday they had an impressive performance together in their first year competing at the Grand Prix Level.

Hannah Hewitt (Atlanta, Ga.) rode Tammy Pearson’s 18-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding Lasall to a second-place finish with a score of 61.795%. They put together a solid test with a nice extended trot and one-time changes.

“He was really good; he had some nervous energy but he listened to me,” Hewitt said. “I think our piaffe was better than it has been in the past. He was a very good boy.”

Hewitt has been riding Lasall for three years, having previously ridden in the Junior championships at Gladstone in 2012.

Rachel Chowanec (Columbia, Conn.) and Lendon Gray’s Embrujado XI finished in third place with a score of 61.487%. Chowanec had a couple mistakes in her test, but performed quite well considering the 16-year-old PRE gelding had his tongue over the bit for most of the test. She was happy to be back competing after her longtime partner “Mouse” had some time off and hopes to improve on Saturday, when the championship comes to a close with the competitors riding the FEI Young Adult U-25 Grand Prix Test for the remaining 50% of their score.

Watch the championship divisions unfold with on-demand footage from today and Friday and live streaming on Saturday and Sunday on the USEF Network. Go to http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2014usdfoc/.

Find out more information about the event at http://www.usefconnect.com/festival/.

By Helen Murray and Kathleen Landwehr

Championships, Dressage, USEF, USEF

Peters, Herslow, Davis, and Redston Earn National Titles to Close Out US Dressage Festival of Champions

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Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, Ky. – The 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp came to a conclusion on Saturday with the final four champions crowned. In The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship, Steffen Peters claimed his seventh title in the division under the lights, while earlier in the day Kim Herslow and Rosmarin claimed their first National Title in The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. Barbara “Bebe” Davis won the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship title in her first attempt at the annual competition, while Alison Redston and Tony 47 led the victory gallop in the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

Grand Prix competition came to a conclusion under the lights of the Rolex Stadium as the eight competitors rode their Freestyle tests to earn the remaining 15% of their championship score.

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) scored a repeat victory with Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92, as he cruised to an unprecedented seventh National Title in the Grand Prix division. The Olympic veteran pulled out all the stops with the 11-year-old Westphalian gelding as he produced strong piaffe and passage, as well as improved one-time changes. The talented combination concluded their Freestyle with an impressive pirouette in piaffe directly into halt on the centerline as they scored 79.450%.

“This was the best freestyle for sure. He felt great in the warm-up and I just hoped I could do that in the ring,” said Peters of Legolas 92. “Right off from the first step he felt as supple as in the warm-up. He stayed right with the music. I couldn’t be happier.”

The pair finished on a championship total of 76.476%.

Looking toward the future and preparation for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Peters will rely on advice from Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Robert Dover in planning for the future months.

“I have not thought about it,” said Peters. “California, Florida, we’ll think about it and I’m sure Robert will weigh in on that.”

Earning second place in the Freestyle and Reserve Champion honors overall was Guenter Seidel (Cardiff, Calif.) and Coral Reef Wylea. Coral Reef Ranch’s 13-year-old Westphalian mare earned a 76.450% in the Freestyle to finish on a championship score of 72.404%.

Despite a mistake in the two-time changes, Seidel was extremely pleased with the mare and believes she improved from Friday night’s Grand Prix Special.

“I thought she was great; there was the obvious mistake in the twos but it worked out great. In general, I thought she was better than the night before. Definitely, she felt good.”

Earning third place in the championship was Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, Calif.) and her own, Jennifer Mason, and David Wightman’s 13-year-old Hanoverian mare Breanna. The pair finished the Freestyle with a score of 70.225% and earned a championship score of 71.213%.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

Herslow (Stockton, N.J.) and Rosmarin narrowly missed sweeping the three tests of Intermediaire I Championship, placing second in Saturday’s Freestyle but scoring a decisive victory in the National Championship. Kiroli Enterpirse Inc.’s eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding’s score of 75.200% counted for the remaining 15% of the pair’s championship average of 75.701%.

Kim Herslow and Rosemarin (SusanJStickle.com)
Kim Herslow and Rosemarin (SusanJStickle.com)

“I went easy on my horse yesterday and just did a really basic ride,” Herslow noted. “Today I wanted to have more horse and I think I had a little more than I have had for a little while, but that’s okay. I also have to learn how to ride that tension and I felt like I had him a little more up in his shoulders and I had him in a little more expressive frame. But I was a little on edge because we haven’t really been going there. But I’m thrilled.”

Herslow expressed how proud she’s been of Rosmarin and how’s he’s dealt with the pressure of such difficult competition.

“I’m amazed that he came back to showing after having the whole summer off and stepped up to the plate even more than in Florida this past season. I’m really looking forward to the season in Florida this winter and we’ll be moving up to the Grand Prix as soon as he’s ready.”

Caroline Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Her Highness O finished first in Saturday’s Intermediaire I Freestyle test, earning 76.625% and finishing on an overall total of 73.504% as the Reserve Champion. Roffman and her 10-year-old Hanoverian mare performed a powerful test in the Rolex Arena.

“For me, today was the perfect ending to Intermediaire I,” Roffman said. “She (Her Highness O) showed she’s able to compete with the best in the country. She was a blast to ride and it was the perfect way to end, in my mind. Today was perfect.”

Emily Jucsher Wagner (La Cygne, Kan.) and Wakeup, her own eight-year-old AWR stallion, finished third in the championship on a score of 69.612%.

AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship

Bebe Davis and Rotano (SusanJStickle.com)
Bebe Davis and Rotano (SusanJStickle.com)

Davis (Bedminster, N.J.) had another top performance on Saturday morning to claim victory in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship with her impressive mount Rotano. She and her parents’ (Michael and Sarah Davis) 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding had a lovely test with excellent trot extensions and half-passes to score a 69.000% in the FEI Junior Individual Test. The pair finished the championship with an overall score of 68.771%.

“My ride this morning was really amazing. I couldn’t be more thankful for my horse, and for my trainers and my parents for always being there for me,” stated Davis. “Moments like this make all of our training and all of our riding totally worth it. He was just such a good boy. He was really there for me and just really trying and listening to my aids.”

Davis credits riding at the Pony level with enabling to reach the level she has in her riding. Last year she won the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship and has moved up to Junior ranks this year finding much success. Davis believes she has learned a great deal about patience and perseverance while riding the intelligent little creatures.

“I showed two weekends ago at Devon and it was my last ride in the Pony division. I got a little bit emotional on centerline, but I am very happy to see how far ponies have come,” Davis said. “I did it the first year when there were only two and this year it is five times the size. It really makes me so happy to see that, that kids are really wanting to do it because I would never be where I am today if I didn’t do the ponies.”

Lindsey Holleger (Whigham, Ga.) had an improved test with Friedensfurst from Thursday, having beautiful trot extensions, strong canter half-passes, and a nice walk tour. She and the 11-year-old Trakehner gelding scored a 68.079% in Saturday’s test to finish with a 67.324% overall in the championship.

“I loved my ride today,” said Holleger. “He gave me everything and he was really relaxed, and that’s what I wanted to fix from the last ride. He did that and even more and I am really ready for Young Riders next year.”

Mallory Kent (Birmingham, Ala.) and Okiedokie slotted into third place in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship with a solid effort, receiving a 66.842% in the FEI Junior Individual Test. She and her own 17-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding completed the championship with a 66.219%.

The girls thanked their families, trainers, and sponsors, as well as being appreciative of the show management and volunteers.

USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship

Redston (Needham, Mass.) swept the Pony division with her own Tony 47. She demonstrated a solid test with the 13-year-old German Riding Pony gelding to score 66.683% in the FEI Pony Individual Test. The pair won the National Championship with an overall score of 66.303%.

“I thought our test went pretty well,” said Redston. “Throughout the test he was more relaxed, especially compared to the awards ceremony the day before. I felt like it let out some of his energy and it also had a feeling that it was more like a regular show. He was much more relaxed and could be himself.”

Alison Redston and Tony 47 (SusanJStickle.com)
Alison Redston and Tony 47 (SusanJStickle.com)

Redston is thrilled with her results and has no regrets about getting into the discipline of dressage after this weekend.

“I got into dressage because whenever I would jump, I would fall on my face, which was never fun. I always like to watch it (dressage) and I would be like, ‘Wait, how did they do that?’ and I wanted to learn about it and learn how to do it like those people who do things that seem impossible.”

Finishing in second place in the division were Madelyn Guthrie and Jordy. Guthrie (Westmont, Ill.) and her own 15-year-old Welsh Pony gelding presented a solid ride to score 64.026%.

“Our ride had a lot more energy than yesterday,” Guthrie commented. “After our last test we knew we needed to improve the energy level a little bit to improve all the movements as well. I think some of our highlights today were the medium and extended trot as well as the canter and we just really upped our game and knew we wanted to strive to be better. Jordy did really well and was there for me.”

Savannah Rose Franklund (Boulder, Colo.) rode into third place with CF Godiva Chocolate. She and her own 13-year-old American Quarter Pony gelding finished with an overall score of 63.384%.

USEF Network will be streaming Friday and Saturday’s competition live at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2013FestivalOfChampions/. Retired FEI 5* judge Axel Steiner will provide commentary during the broadcast.

Find out everything you need to know about the championships at http://www.usefconnect.com/festival/.

By Helen Murray, Kathleen Landwehr and Eileen Schnettler

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Dressage, USEF

Peters Maintains Lead, Wagner and Uhlir Score National Titles as Redston Storms to Head of Her Field

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Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, Ky. – The Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park hosted a full day of competition on Friday, as riders went to task across four divisions at the 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 maintained their lead in The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship in the evening session under the lights. In USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today competition Emily Wagner and Weltdorff posted their second victory of the weekend to claim the 2013 National Title. Earlier in the day, Ayden Uhlir and Sjapoer earned top honors in the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship. USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship kicked off with Alison Redston and Tony 47 claiming the first victory if the weekend.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

Eight Grand Prix competitors returned to the Rolex Stadium on Friday evening to earn a further 40% of their championship score by riding the FEI Grand Prix Special.

In their second test of the weekend, Peters (San Diego, Calif.) and Four Winds Farm’s 11-year-old Westphalian gelding were on track to again score in the high 70s but an error of course in the canter work meant their final score in the Special would be 74.771%. The 2012 National Champions once again demonstrated strong trot work and showed improvement in the changes.

“The horse was great; the rider wasn’t good. My mind was set on riding the twos but the judges didn’t want that,” joked Peters. “It was the cleanest test we’ve had; Legolas was fabulous. It didn’t matter too much tonight but I would have been really upset if this would have happened in a team competition. I’m confident it won’t happen again.”

Throughout the weekend at the 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp competitors across all levels have shown great potential for the future. Peters believes this is an extremely fortunate position for the U.S. to be in and the tours many riders did in Europe over the summer were extremely beneficial.

“The European tours were very successful and it is important to not only look at where we stand but where we are going,” remarked the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Bronze medalist.

Finishing in second place on Friday night was Guenter Seidel (Cardiff, Calif.) and Coral Reef Wylea with a score of 71.917%. The U.S. team veteran and Coral Reef Ranch’s 13-year-old Westphalian mare demonstrated improvement in the FEI Grand Prix Special Test compared to Wednesday’s Grand Prix.

“I rode a little more of a conservative test today. Which I think worked out well,” said Seidel of his test on Friday. “From the rideability and the relaxation it was definitely the best test we’ve had.”

Seidel and Coral Reef Wylea now stand second in The Dutta Corp/ USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship.

Finishing in third place on Friday night was Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, Calif.) and her own, Jennifer Mason, and David Wightman’s 13-year-old Hanoverian mare Breanna. The pair scored 70.771% on Friday, and now lies third in the Championship.

Grand Prix competition comes to a close on Saturday night with the Freestyle as competitors will earn the remaining 15% of their overall title.

Prior to the start of Grand Prix competition, Dressage Celebrity Mounted Games will take place in the Rolex Stadium at 6:00pm. This event will feature teams of competitors and celebrity coaches participating in pony relay races as a fundraiser for the U.S. High Performance Dressage programs.

USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship Presented by Dressage Today

The championship title was decided for the Young Adult “Brentina Cup” competition during the end of the morning session on Friday as the up-and-coming riders performed the FEI Young Rider Grand Prix Test. Twenty-five year-old Wagner (La Cygne, Kan.) rode her own Weltdorff to claim the prestigious title with an overall score of 65.578%. She and her own 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding had a rhythmical, harmonious test, displaying their eight-year partnership.

Emily Wagner and Weltdorff (SusanJStickle.com)
Emily Wagner and Weltdorff (SusanJStickle.com)

“He was just so supple today and I loved that feeling,” commented Wagner. “My half-passes flowed and were really nice. The canter half-passes I really liked. We had a few shaky moments, but I know him very well so we recovered and really got out of it. We messed up our ones. Usually those are pretty solid, but what can I say?”

After getting Weldorff as an unbroken three-year-old in Germany, Wagner as moved up the levels and learned alongside him. That fact made the championship title more meaningful.

“He has done so much for me because I have had him since he was a rascally three-year-old and because we have gone through so much together. There have been so many times where I’ve thought, ‘I don’t understand, he doesn’t understand, we are up against a wall, what are we going to do?’ And that makes this mean so incredibly much to me. So I’m thrilled,” said a delighted Wagner.

Genay Vaughn (Elk Grove, Calif.) rode Donarweiss GGF to Reserve Champion honors with an overall score of 64.646%. She and Starr Vaughn Equestrian, Inc.’s 12-year-old Hanoverian stallion made a solid effort with lovely canter pirouettes highlighting their test.

“We had a pretty good test; we had a few mistakes but I am really happy with him,” remarked Vaughn. “I am even happier with how we did our first year out. I am excited to even be here; it’s an honor.”

Vaughn hopes to do some training in Europe next year, but would like to continue to compete in the USEF “Brentina Cup” Program.

Lauren Knopp of Wellington, Fl. rode Rantaro, her own 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding, to a third-place finish, scoring a 64.294% overall. The pair had good flying changes and nice trot half-passes.

“We did a shorter warm-up and he felt hot and great and wonderful. It actually felt too good since I went off course,” said Knopp of halting prematurely on the centerline.

Their placing was quite impressive since Knopp has been sidelined with a herniated disc in her back.

“I’m very excited. I had two months off because of my back so I didn’t think I would get here,” said an emotional Knopp of the accomplishment. “I just started riding two weeks ago, so I’m very, very excited.”

AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship

Ayden Uhlir and Sjapoer (SusanJStickle.com)
Ayden Uhlir and Sjapoer (SusanJStickle.com)

The eleven Young Riders returned to the Rolex Stadium on Friday to perform the FEI Young Rider Individual Test, which would help determine the winner of the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship. Uhlir (Kirkland, Wash.) added another title to her resume as she claimed top honors in the championship with an overall score of 68.211%. She and her mount for the past three years, Sjapoer, performed a lovely test that flowed from movement to movement to earn a 68.184%.

“He was a little bit quieter; he wasn’t so awake today. We only had mistakes in the walk and the halt-rein back, but we recovered for the rest of the ride,” commented Uhlir. “I felt that he was fairly consistent, and just a fairly decent and good ride. Our canter work was a lot better than our trot work. I felt like our tempis were very straight, jumpy, and overall good.”

Uhlir trains with USEF Youth Coach Jeremy Steinberg and has found much success with the help of his long term intensive training program. After winning the 2012 USEF Junior Dressage National Championship, Uhlir moved up to the Young Rider level and continued to improve with her own 14-year-old KWPN gelding.

“There’s this big list and it asks you all these questions about what you want to do with your riding goals, both short term and long term. It’s a guideline to help you follow that path. It’s definitely an amazing program and seems to be working quite well for me right now,” Uhlir said with a smile.

Rachel Chowanec (Columbia, Conn.) claimed the Reserve Champion title with Embrujado XI with an overall score of 66.356%. She and Lendon Gray’s 15-year-old PRE gelding made a solid effort in their test, which was highlighted by quality canter work. The test only had a minor mistake during the shoulder-ins, scoring a 67.237%

“He was better today, not as spooky,” said Chowanec. “I couldn’t get him to turn during the shoulder-in to go across the arena but after that he was really good.”

Kaitlin Blythe (Rougemon, N.C.) rode Daverden to a third-place finish with an overall score of 65.645%. She and the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding had nice tempis and extensions to earn a 66.237%.

“My test was much better today. I feel like the quality wasn’t as good as yesterday, but we had a lot less mistakes,” said a pragmatic Blythe. “He was a lot different today. Yesterday he was a lot more up, but today he was a little quieter.”

USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship

Redston (Needham, Mass.) collected a first-place ribbon in the FEI Pony Team Test with her own Tony 47. She demonstrated an accurate, energetic test with the 13-year-old German Riding Pony gelding to score 65.923%.

“I thought my ride was pretty good,” Redston said. “I think Tony feels at home in this big stadium; he’s realized that this is finally where he’s supposed to be.”

Alison Redston and Tony 47 (SusanJStickle.com)
Alison Redston and Tony 47 (SusanJStickle.com)

Redston views these Championships as an introduction to the top levels of Dressage in the U.S.

“I got into ponies because I always thought that ponies were really compassionate and they were the sweetest little things in the world.  I wanted to have a pony just for me, to take him around and show him and show what we can do.”

Standing in second place in the division are Nadine Orriss and Allegria. Orriss (Bellevue, Wash.) and her own 14-year-old Welsh/Dutch Warmblood mare presented a solid ride to score 64.026%.

“I thought I did pretty well,” Orriss commented. “It was kind of hot out so my pony was really lazy, so it was really hard to get her in front of the leg. But we tried our best. I know she always tries her best and puts on her game face whenever she goes in the ring, so I’m really pleased with how we did.”

Orriss enjoys riding ponies because she’s able to challenge herself among a level playing field.

“I wanted to do it because it’s a pretty hard test and there aren’t a lot of ponies. It’s been hard the past few years competing against the big warmbloods, so finally having your own division where ponies are going against ponies is really fun.”

Savannah Rose Franklund (Boulder, Colo.) rode into third place with CF Godiva Chocolate. She and her own 13-year-old American Quarter Pony gelding scored 63.718%.

The USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship comes to a conclusion on Saturday as they perform their FEI Pony Individual Tests to earn the remaining 50% of the championship score.

USEF Network will be streaming Friday and Saturday’s competition live at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2013FestivalOfChampions/. Retired FEI 5* judge Axel Steiner will provide commentary during the broadcast.

Find out everything you need to know about the championships at http://www.usefconnect.com/festival/.

By Helen Murray, Kathleen Landwehr and Eileen Schnettler

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, USEF

Peters, Herslow, and Wagner Take First Steps toward National Titles at 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

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Lexington, Ky. – Three division of National Championship competition at the 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp got underway Wednesday in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Rolex Stadium. In the Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix National Championship, Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 have seized a sizable lead following an impressive test in the afternoon session, while Kim Herslow and Rosmarin head the field in the Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship. In the first division of the day, the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today, Emily Wagner and Weltdorff hold a narrow lead in their quest for a National Title.

Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix National Championship

The competitors in the Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix National Championship were the final eight riders of the day to go down centerline in the Rolex Stadium. The first 45% of the championships scores were on the line as the elite U.S. competitors performed the FEI Grand Prix Test.

Peters (San Diego, Calif.) took his first step towards an unprecedented seventh National Title in the Grand Prix by scoring a 77% with Four Winds Farm’s 11-year-old Westphalian gelding. The reigning National Champions delivered a nearly flawless test that was once again highlighted by Legolas 92’s impressive piaffe and passage. In the past, the gelding has found difficulty with the flying changes but looked to be more confirmed in the movement on Wednesday afternoon.

“Legolas was great; I did a very short warm-up. The changes are always something I worry about but they felt good in the warm-up and just as good in the ring,” said Peters. “I felt it was a very clean test which is what you look for on the first day.”

The combination spent time this summer in Europe competing against the very best in the world, including anchoring the third place U.S. effort at the Aachen CDIO5*. They will spend their off day on Thursday preparing for Grand Prix Special where they will look to recreate some of the strong work produced overseas.

“You can’t practice the Special with him too much before the Grand Prix because he gets confused,” said Peters. “The plan again is a clean test.”

Wednesday’s second place finishers, Kathleen Raine (Murrieta, Calif.) and Breanna, also spent time in Europe culminating in a second place U.S. Team finish at the Hickstead CDIO3*. In the FEI Grand Prix Test, Jennifer Mason, Kathleen Raine, and David Wightman’s 13-year-old Hanoverian mare again showcased her top form to score 71.936%.

“I was really happy with Breanna, she was very consistent,” said Raine of the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program graduate. “She’s gotten much stronger since I was in Europe. I was very happy with her today.”

Finishing in third place was Raine’s Hickstead teammate, Guenter Seidel (Cardiff, Calif.) and Coral Reef Ranch’s Coral Reef Wylea. The pair scored 71.489% in spite of the 13-year-old Westphalian mare having her tongue over the bit for the first half of the test.

Grand Prix competition continues on Friday night, as riders will perform the FEI Grand Prix Special under the lights to earn another 40% of their overall total.

Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

Twelve Small Tour combinations entered the Rolex Stadium on Wednesday before the lunch break to contest the FEI Prix St. Georges Test, which counted for the first 40% of the championship score.

Herslow (Stockton, N.J.) and Kiroli Enterprises Inc’s Hanoverian gelding have enjoyed an extremely successful 2013 campaign and maintained their form on Wednesday to score 75.789%. The talented pair prepared for the 2013 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp by sweeping all three Small Tour tests at the Dressage at Devon competition two weeks ago.

“I came here after leaving Devon with really nice rides and he really felt in his groove. I came here hoping to up that,” said Herslow of Rosmarin. “I’m thrilled it was my goal to ride a clean test and I’m hoping to improve on that tomorrow.”

The combination, which was part of the winning U.S. effort at the Wellington Nations Cup CDIO3* presented by Stillpoint Farm, has begun to work on the Grand Prix movements. However, Herslow will let the young horse guide her in making the decision of when to make their debut at the highest level.

“He’s still young but we are training the Grand Prix movements,” said Herslow. “I’m not going to move him up until he tells me he’s ready. I want to keep the positive harmony.”

Finishing in second place on Wednesday was last year’s Intermediaire I National Champion, Caroline Roffman and her own Her Highness O. Roffman (Wellington, Fla.) and the 10-year-old Hanoverian mare traveled to Europe over the summer to compete in Small Tour competition at some of the world’s most prestigious venues including CDIO Aachen. The pair demonstrated how much they had learned in their abroad as the scored 72.842% in the FEI Prix St. Georges Test.

The 2013 Championships are likely the last time the 2012 USEF National Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage Championship presented by The Dutta Corp. and Performance Sales International winner will compete on the Small tour. And therefore Roffman is enjoying every moment of competition this weekend with the talented mare.

“I’m thrilled with the horse, I’m enjoying the ride; I want to have a good last I-1,” said Roffman. “She’s a good competition horse and I’m going to continue to develop her.”

Finishing in third place was Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding Danilo. The pair scored 69.447% despite an error of course before the pirouette in the canter work.

Intermediaire I competition continues Thursday as riders will earn another 45% of their overall score when they perform the FEI Intermediaire I Test.

Following the completion of competition in the Rolex Stadium the Veterinary Inspection was held for the Junior and Young Riders. All 11 combinations in the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship were accepted and 11 pairs will vie for the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship title.

USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship Presented by Dressage Today

Six competitors lined up in the Young Adult “Brentina Cup” competition on Wednesday morning to perform the USEF “Brentina Cup” Test. The USEF “Brentina Cup” was developed to assist and encourage U.S. Young Riders in making the transition to Senior Grand Prix competitor. All the competitors gain valuable experience this weekend, getting the chance to ride at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp and performing the movements required at the senior level.

Wagner, riding her own Weltdorff, claimed the top spot in the USEF “Brentina Cup” Test and the early lead in the championship. The 25-year-old from La Cygne, Kan., finished with a score 65.667% to hold a .026% lead.

“Weltdorff was good today, I was very happy with him,” said Wagner. “He got more relaxed as he went, so that was super. I think there was a lot of harmony there and I was really happy with that. It wasn’t as brilliant as maybe I could have pushed for, but at the same time, it just wasn’t the right feeling as we came around the ring; he was just a little too tense. But I was really happy for him, and everything went well.”

Wagner and the 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding have been together for eight years and the pair is learning the ropes of the Grand Prix ranks together through the Young Adult “Brentina Cup” program. They received helpful advice from Robert Dover, Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor for the U.S. Dressage Team, while warming up yesterday.

“He told me the passage we have is very good, but it needs to be much, much quicker going into the piaffe so that we have the energy to make the hyper-active passage. It really worked in my second ride yesterday but I didn’t trust it in the ring enough. I’ve known his passage has to be quicker and it went well yesterday so I think I’m going to see if that works again. It’s always a learning process.”

Wednesday’s second-place finisher, Genay Vaughn of Elk Grove, Calif., rode Starr Vaughn Equestrian, Inc.’s 12-year-old Hanoverian stallion, Donarweiss GGF, to a score of 65.641% to finish just behind Wagner.

“I was really happy with him,” Vaughn said. “I just wanted to focus on having a relaxed, clean test. I think there’s always more in there that I can get out, but the first day I just wanted it to be clean. It was pretty clean and I’m very proud of him.”

Vaughn was thrilled with her results and grateful for the valuable experience of the USEF “Brentina Cup” program.

“I think it’s extremely important. It’s a big jump from Young Riders, but it’s definitely necessary because I know I’m not ready to compete against a Steffen Peters. You get to feel what it’s like; you’re still competing against great girls and guys with great horses. It’s like a stepping stone.”

Kristen Becker (Athens, Ga.) stands third with her own 15-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding, Ramses, after scoring 65.538%.

The USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Dressage National Championship competition continues Friday, with riders performing the FEI Young Adult U-25 Grand Prix Test, which will count for the remaining 50% of the overall average.

USEF Network will be streaming Friday and Saturday’s competition live at www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2013FestivalOfChampions/. Retired FEI 5* judge Axel Steiner will provide commentary during the broadcast.

Find out everything you need to know about the championships at http://www.usefconnect.com/festival/.

By Helen Murray and Eileen Schnettler

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

2013 World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach Resounding Success

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Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven (SWE) and Don Auriello win Grand Prix Freestyle. Photos © SusanJStickle.com

Wellington, FL – January 28, 2013 – Swedish Olympians Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven and Patrik Kittel were the big winners at the 2013 World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach January 24-26. Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello took the championship in the Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday while Kittel and Watermill Scandic H B C took second. The previous day, they swapped spots when Kittel placed first in the Grand Prix and Vilhelmson-Silfven took the second place honors.

In Saturday evening’s freestyle, Vilhelmson-Silfven and Don Auriello, an 11-year-old bay Hanoverian gelding owned by Lovsta Stuteri, rode the momentum from an enthusiastic crowd to claim the championship. Vilhelmson-Silfven collected a personal best score of 84.075% for her electrifying freestyle performance. She received a standing ovation from the crowd as she exited the ring.

“It’s just such an honor to ride a horse like Don Auriello,” she said. “He is so fun to ride. He was enjoying himself with me, enjoying the time, enjoying the energy. It was a great atmosphere.” She credits the Florida dressage circuit as a catalyst for the horse’s development. “Florida’s been very important for Don Auriello,” she said. “He has done a lot of his best starts here, I think.”

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