Tag Archives: U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

Graves and Vinios Claim National Championship Titles at U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

Shelly Francis and Rubinio (SusanJStickle.com)

Wellington, Fla. – National Championship competition came to a close this evening at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival grounds in the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. In The Dutta Corp./USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship, Christina Vinios and Folkestone OLD maintained their position atop the leaderboard, placing second in tonight’s Freestyle and capturing their second National Championship title of 2015. Winning two of the three classes in The Dutta Corp./USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship was Laura Graves and Verdades, who added their first ever National Championship title to a year of remarkable success.

The Dutta Corp./USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

A field of eight Small Tour combinations began the quest for National honors on Wednesday in the FEI Prix St. Georges Test, which contributed 40% towards their final scores. Vinios (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Folkestone OLD took an early lead, winning the class with a score of 70.632%. The following day the competitors performed the FEI Intermediate I Test for an additional 45% of their overall scores. Jane Karol (Concord, Mass.) and her own Sunshine Tour performed brilliantly to win the class on a score of 69.105%. Vinios finished closely behind Karol on day two and maintained her division lead heading into today’s Freestyle.

With mere fractions of a point separating the combinations at the top of the leaderboard, this evening’s Freestyle tests were eagerly anticipated as they accounted for the final 15% of the championship scores. A relative newcomer to the sport, Vinios and Folkestone OLD performed their pop medley Freestyle this evening for only the second time, scoring 71.000%, enough to secure the National Championship title by .200 of a point.

“It was really fun and I am so happy. I had a lot of fun with my horse this year and to end it like this is really special,” said Vinios. “It was intense, but really fun. I loved it.”

The pair has proven to be a force to reckon with, as it adds its second National Championship title of 2015 to their resume, having won the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Dressage National Championship in August. The pair also swept the CDI Small Tour classes at Dressage at Devon in September.

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and her newest partner, Patricia Stempel’s Rubinio, put the pressure on their fellow competitors all week. Placing second in the FEI Prix St. Georges Test on a score of 69.868% and third in the FEI Intermediaire I Test with 67.763%, the pair was wonderfully consistent in the quality of gaits presented. Showcasing great poise, the pair performed its Freestyle to music from “The Man from Snowy River,” impressing the judges to take a commanding win in the class on a score of 74.350%, moving them up one on the leaderboard to take Reserve National Champion honors.

“Rubinio felt much more with me [tonight],” explained Francis. “He really put out in the Freestyle; he tried really hard. It went well so I was happy and it was fun. He was excited about it and proud of himself.”

Finishing in third overall was Karol and Sunshine Tour. Karol rode a very determined test this evening, taking several risks that unfortunately did not pay off, scoring 64.825%.

The Dutta Corp./USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

Earning their first ever National Championship title were Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades, who won two of the three division classes this week. The pair overcame some bobbles in day one’s FEI Grand Prix test to score a 76.460%, accounting for 45% of its championship title. On day two, in the FEI Grand Prix Special, the pair built on its lead with a fluid and dynamic test, winning with a score of 77.137%. Today the gelding showcased his great power, scoring 75.125% in a test that was not without its faults, finishing second in the class.

“He’s been feeling really good all week and tonight was a demonstration of how much horse I have now,” explained Graves. “I am still on a sharp learning curve and am still learning to ride that horse in that environment. This was our first outing [since the Pan American Games in July] and was a perfect opportunity to figure this out now going into our World Cup qualifiers. He is amazingly athletic and when he goes like that the feeling is unreal. We had some mistakes tonight, but I can’t hold that against my horse.”

Speaking to the feeling of securing her first National title, Graves said, “I’ve never been close to this position before so it’s a real honor. This is a really encouraging place to be as we begin 2016.”

Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)
Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (SusanJStickle.com)

Remaining closely behind Graves in the division standings all week was veteran competitor and winner of the last four Grand Prix National Championships, Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.), with his Four Winds Farms-owned mounts Rosamunde and Legolas 92. After disappointing performances for Peters on day one, he was ranked second with Legolas 92 and third with Rosamunde. Day two proved Peters’ masterful ability to rise to the occasion. Rosamunde performed beautifully through the FEI Grand Prix Special, scoring a 74.549% and moving up to second on the leaderboard. Stablemate Legolas 92 earned a 72.412% and dropped to third in the championship rankings by the slimmest of margins. Saturday garnered further positive results for Peters with Legolas 92 executing his crowd-pleasing Freestyle with music from U2 and Vanilla Ice to win the class on a score of 77.675% and take Reserve National Championship title.

“I was super excited. It was one of his best Freestyles. I am so familiar with the routine and I thought even tonight I wasn’t just with the music, but I was really with the footfall of every single beat.”

Rosamunde performed her second career Freestyle, handling the bustling atmosphere with grace to score 74.950% and place third overall.

All championship competition will be available on-demand on USEFNetwork.com.

From the USEF Communications Department

Custom Saddlery to Award Saddles to Winners at U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

Steffen Peters (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (December 8, 2015) – Custom Saddlery, the Official Saddle of the United States Dressage Team and proud supporter of high performance dressage, will award Custom Saddles to the Grand Prix and Intermediaire I Championship winners at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. The December 9-12 competition will be held at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival show grounds in Wellington, Florida, and will feature the nation’s top horse and athlete combinations in the Grand Prix and Intermediaire I divisions.

Custom Saddlery will also be cheering on the company’s sponsored riders, known as Custom Saddlery Most Valuable Riders (MVRs), who will be competing in the Championships, including Steffen Peters and Cesar Parra. Peters will ride Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92, a 13-year-old London Olympic Games veteran Westphalian gelding (Laomedon x Furstin/Florestan II), and Rosamunde, an eight-year-old Rheinlander mare (Rock Forever x First Lady/Fidermark) who has claimed victory in a variety of competitions both here and abroad. Peters will compete both horses in The Dutta Corp./USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship. Parra will be aboard his own Blickpunkt 4 Cavallias, a 10-year-old Westphalian stallion (Belissimo M x Fascination/Fidermark) who placed in the ribbons at both Dressage at Devon in October and at HITS on the Hudson in September. Parra will compete in The Dutta Corp./USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship.

Custom Saddlery representatives will take part in the award ceremonies for both of the National Championships to present the winners with saddle gift certificates, so that the winning horse and rider duo can be expertly fitted for a saddle model that is perfect for them. With over 20 saddle models, Custom Saddlery’s team of expert saddle fitters across the United States is trained to meet all horses and riders’ performance and comfort needs.

The Grand Prix competition at the Festival of Champions will kick off on Wednesday, December 9 with the FEI Grand Prix test, then progress to the FEI Grand Prix Special on Thursday, December 10. After a day of rest, competition will resume with the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday, December 12. The Intermediaire I championship will begin with the FEI Prix St. Georges on Wednesday, December 9 and will continue with the FEI Intermediaire I on Thursday, December 10. The Intermediaire I competition will culminate with the I-1 Freestyle on Saturday, December 12.

Custom Saddlery is proud to support the United States Dressage Team and the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. Custom Saddlery is committed to designing, producing, and fitting high-quality, customized saddles that are perfect matches for dressage’s most talented riders and their horses. For more information about Custom Saddlery and its variety of saddle models, 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

Custom Saddlery MVR Catherine Chamberlain’s Young Rider Grand Finale

Catherine Chamberlain and Avesto van Weltevreden (Photo courtesy of Susan J Stickle)

Wayne, IL (August 31, 2015) – Custom Saddlery MVR (Most Valuable Rider) Catherine Chamberlain ended her time as a Young Rider with the remarkable achievement of winning the Young Rider division at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, held at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, on August 19-23. “It’s actually my first national title – what better way to go out?” said Chamberlain. “This whole Young Rider experience has been an amazing opportunity and an amazing journey. I’ve had ups and downs. I’ve finished very last at the North Americans (NAJYRC), I’ve finished first at North Americans, and everything in between. It’s definitely been a roller coaster ride.”

Chamberlain and Avesto van Weltevreden (owned by Kimberly Pribble) were in their best form over the weekend of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. By the end of the second day, they had earned an overall average of 69.43 percent to take home the title in the AGCO/USEF FEI Young Rider National Championship. For Chamberlain and Pribble, the choice to bring Avesto van Weltevreden to the competition was a last-minute decision – a decision they’re incredibly glad they made. The Dutch Warmblood gelding recently toured with the United States’ first-ever Young Rider team in Europe, where he and Chamberlain had several successful rides. They then traveled to Kentucky, where the pair helped their region to Team Gold and won an Individual Silver medal at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). “We thought he might be too tired,” said Chamberlain before the Festival of Champions. But Avesto van Weltevreden proved to be a champion both in and out of the ring, as he took the travelling extremely well and was more than ready to compete after his excursions. “He came home and was super fit and feeling good. At the last moment, we decided to take a chance and bring him,” explained Chamberlain. “Obviously it’s gone really well. I’m thrilled!”

Chamberlain is thankful for her journey through her Young Rider career, and is looking forward to what lies ahead of her in dressage as she moves out of the 16-21-year-old division. “Each new step teaches you something, and I think you have to learn to become open to the whole process. To finish out with a highlight means so much to me,” Chamberlain expressed. “I’m thankful to everyone – the whole team behind me, the sponsors of this event, and especially the horse. I really owe a lot to him.”

One supporter cheering Chamberlain on was her sponsor Custom Saddlery. Alis Carbone, a saddle fitter for Custom Saddlery, praised the young rider. “Congratulations to Catherine on an amazing weekend at the Festival of Champions, winning the Young Rider division and placing 6th in the U25! She has worked so hard for this and is always such a pleasure to work with.”

Chamberlain rides Avesto van Weltevreden in a Wolfgang Constanze Custom Saddle. Custom Saddlery provides comfort and excellence for both the rider and horse through carefully crafted saddles. The Aiken, South Carolina based company currently offers twenty-two innovative, one of a kind dressage saddles as well as professional fitting services to ensure the perfect fit for each individual horse and rider. 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

Hickok and Nemeth Win to Close Out U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

Chase Hickok and Sagacious HF (SusanJStickle.com)

Wayne Ill. – On what started out as a gloomy day, Chase Hickok and Allison Nemeth shined, winning the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today and USEF Pony Rider National Championship respectively on the final day of the 2015 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. Today, a field of 10 combinations performed the FEI Intermediaire II Test and eight combinations competed in the FEI Pony Individual Test where 50% of today’s score was added to the 50% earned in the first test to determine the overall national champion.

USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship

All eyes were on Hickok (Wellington, Fla.) and Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s KWPN Sagacious HF coming into today’s FEI Intermediaire II Test as they were the pair to beat. However, the other combinations were no match for them and they were named National Champions of the USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today. Hickok and Sagacious HF ran away with the title due to a clean and consistent test. Their piaffe-passage and pirouettes improved from the first test and they exhibited nice changes.

“I’m just so pleased to be sitting here, especially with Sagacious HF. He’s such a wonderful, perfect horse. We had a rocky beginning, so to look back now, a year and a half later, and be standing here in the company of such amazing pairs, it’s really humbling and exciting,” said Hickok.

After finishing second on day one, Sierra Keasler (Wellington, Fla.) and Caroline Roffman’s Danish Warmblood gelding, Lux Stensvang, were hoping to achieve a come from behind victory. Unfortunately, the pair got a little out of their rhythm early in the test contributing to a lower score. However, it was not enough to affect their overall ranking as they earned a 64.605% in the final test for an overall score of 65.535% to take Reserve Champion honors.

“Today wasn’t quite my day, but I did what I could with my horse. He was a little tense. I was a little tense. There were some good parts to it. He was very forward thinking, but we had a couple bobbles. However, I’m still here, and that’s good enough for me,” said Keasler.

After finishing in the bottom four of the first test, Melanie Montagano (Doswell, Va.) and her own KWPN mare, Ga Deva, knew they would have to have a quality test to compete with Hickok and Keasler. They followed through with a nice performance for an overall score of 64.132%, good enough for third place. Even though the pair was off in their one tempi-changes, they were consistent in the piaffe-passage. Montagano also took the judges advice from the first test and paid attention to the coefficients, which came through for them today.

USEF Pony Rider National Championship

There was not a surprise in the FEI Pony Individual Test. As on day one, Nemeth (Flemington, N.J) and her own Weser Ems German Riding Pony Pablo S dominated. They earned a high score in today’s test with a 69.39%, for a 70.165% overall to win the USEF Pony Rider National Championship. Pablo S looked focused and tackled every aspect of the test gracefully, especially in the trot and simple changes.

Allison Nemeth and Pablo S (SusanJStickle.com)
Allison Nemeth and Pablo S (SusanJStickle.com)

“I’m super happy and thankful to be here. This whole experience has been amazing, and I just feel so lucky that I got to be a part of it,” said Nemeth.

Mckenzie Milburn (Bothell, Wash.) and her own Westphalian Pony gelding, Darius, struggled in the final test. Darius acted hot and too energetic, which caused the pair to break rhythm a couple times. However, he displayed better trot work than the team test. The judges awarded them a score of 67.330% for an overall score of 67.628% giving them Reserve Champion.

Coming in third place were Brynne Varvel (Bloomington, Ind.) and her own Morgan Pony gelding V Back in Black with an overall score of 64.665%. The combination was more collected, which improved the canter from the team test.

From the USEF Communications Department

Chamberlain, Frederick Claim 1st Nat’l Championship Titles of US Dressage Festival of Champions

Catherine Chamberlain (SusanJStickle.com)

Nemeth Leads Pony Rider Division

Wayne, Ill. – On a beautiful summer day, the nation’s top youth dressage athletes went to task in the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp. Coming away with top honors in the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship was Catherine Chamberlain and Avesto Van Weltevreden. In the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship Mickayla Frederick maintained her lead to be named National Champion. After day one of the USEF Pony Rider National Championship, Allison Nemeth and Pablo S lead the division.

AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship

Following day one’s FEI Young Rider Team Test, Kerrigan Gluch (Wellington, Fla.) led by the slimmest of margins over Chamberlain (Murrieta, Calif.) after scoring just four-thousandth of a point higher. Both athletes entered the arena with determination this morning, but it was Chamberlain and Kimberly Pribble’s KWPN, Avesto Van Weltervreden, who took the ultimate win in the class and were named National Champions. The pair scored 69.605% in the FEI Young Rider Individual Test for a final overall score of 69.430%.

This marked the first National Championship title for Chamberlain, who is a four-time Gold medalist at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North.

“I was very happy with my ride today; it was really smooth and I liked the power we had in the medium trot and overall self-carriage and impulsion in the trot. His tempi-changes were also a highlight. He is still a little green at this level as he just started it in February. It has been a project all season getting to the point where we can really nail everything, especially the changes, so I was really happy those were super in this test. It was my last-ever young rider test because I am aging out this year, so I am really thrilled with the result,” said Chamberlain.

This year’s youth dressage national championships are coinciding with the Markel/USEF Young and Developing Horse Dressage National Championships; Chamberlain expressed what this first-time pairing meant to her. “Having the other championships alongside has been really inspirational. To see all those top combinations and the quality we have in the United States is really fun.”

Gluch and Hampton Green Farm’s PRE, Vaquero HGF, put in a valiant performance today, though not as fluid as day one’s test, to take Reserve Champion honors with an overall score of 68.794%.

“My canter tour was really energetic, the tempi-changes were really good, and our pirouettes were the best they’ve ever felt in the ring, so I was really happy. Vaquero HGF really surprised me doing this level this year. I wasn’t expecting it; I can’t ask for anything more,” said Gluch.

After finishing seventh on day one, Hannah Bauer (Purcellville, Va.) and her own KWPN, Trustful, improved dramatically to finish second in today’s class and third overall in the championship on a final score of 66.272%.

“I am happy with the overall control I had in my test; it was 10 times better than what I had in my first test. This is my first year at the Festival of Champions and I couldn’t have had a better experience,” said Bauer.

AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship

Frederick (Johnston, Iowa) and Robert’s Susa’s Hanoverian, Wrainier Q, finished third in today’s FEI Junior Individual Test on a score of 68.026%, but were named overall champions on the strength of a brilliant day one performance for an overall score of 69.171%.

“I definitely felt today that I was really riding, and not just along for the ride. It felt like I was able to slow time down and make changes as I went,” said an ecstatic Frederick.

Winning today’s class and finishing as the Reserve Champion overall was Kristin Counterman (Ashburn, Va.) and Caroline Stephen’s KWPN, Three Times. The pair impressed with a fluid, powerful test to score a 69.474%, giving them an overall score of 68.408%.

“I was so pleased with my test today. I felt like I was able to ride every step and he was with me every step of the way. Our canter improved even more from our past test; he was expressive, and the trot was forward – everything just went great,” said Counterman.

Counterman was also awarded the Anita Owen Perpetual Silver Stirrup Trophy for her outstanding sportsmanship.

Moving up from fourth-place to finish in third overall was Anna Weniger (Apex, N.C.) and Dawn Weniger’s KWPN mare, Izeffia, on an overall score of 66.664%.

“Yesterday we had one of the best tests we’ve had in a long time. Today I thought I could add just a little bit more power and keep her uphill and it paid off and was one of the best tests we’ve had all year,” said Weniger.

FEI Pony Rider Team Test

Beginning the quest for a National Championship title, eight pony rider combinations entered the Grand Prix arena today to perform the FEI Pony Rider Team Test. Coming away with a commanding lead in the division was Nemeth (Flemington, N.J.) and her own German Riding Pony, Pablo S, scoring a 70.940%.

Allison Nemeth (SusanJStickle.com)
Allison Nemeth (SusanJStickle.com)

“Today my pony was a lot more energetic and collected than he usually is and really listened to me. I am just so glad and thankful to be here,” said Nemeth.

McKenzie Milburn (Bothell, Wash.) put in a solid test to score a 66.496%, good for second place, with her own Westphalian, Darius. “The best part of my test was my canter work and half-passes; he worked really well with me today,” said Milburn.

Sitting in third is Brynne Varvel (Bloomington, Ind.) and her own homebred and trained Morgan, V Back in Black, scoring a 65.427%.

The USEF Network will cover the final classes in the Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ and Pony Rider National Championships tomorrow beginning at 8:00 a.m. CT.

From the USEF Communications Department

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

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

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

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

Buffini, Cyprus, and Sadis Overcome the Rain to Grab Early Leads on Day Two of U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

Anna Buffini and Sundayboy (SusanJStickle.com)

Gladstone, N.J. – Drastic changes in weather proved to be the theme of the second day of the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp as Young Rider, Junior, Pony Rider, and Intermediaire I competition was all on tap at the USET Foundation Headquarters, until thunderstorms cut the day short. Friday began with Young Riders and Juniors performing their respective Team Tests in deluges of rain in the Dick and Jane Brown Arena and then, following the lunch break, rain was replaced with sunny skies for the Pony Rider Team tests. However, the pleasant conditions did not hold for long as storms rolled back in after the first Intermediaire I test of the day, leading to the remainder of Small Tour competitions being delayed until Saturday morning.

In the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship Anna Buffini and Sundayboy seized the early lead with an impressive performance in the FEI Young Rider Team Test, while in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship, Allison Cyprus and Madoc Gareth proved unbeatable on Friday. Katrina Sadis and Poldy 10 produced an impressive effort to win the first test of the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship.

AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship

The soggy conditions did little to deter the field of 10 combinations in the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship, as they kicked off Friday’s competition by earning the first half of their weekend total in the FEI Young Rider Team Test.

As the penultimate combination came down centerline in Young Rider competition, Buffini (Escondido, Calif.) and her own 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood performed an expressive and accurate test. The pair demonstrated why they have been dominating competitions on the West Coast as they scored 72.105% to finish nearly four points ahead of the second-placed combination.

“It was an absolutely amazing experience,” said Buffini of her ride on Friday morning. “I’ve never ridden in (that type of wet footing) before but it was really fun.”

Heading into Saturday’s test, the 20-year-old will make a few adjustments but looks to replicate the effort and performance Sundayboy produced in the Team Test.

“Every time I asked for something he gave it to me. There’s always little things you want to improve but I was really happy with him.”

Finishing in second place in Young Rider competition were Cassidy Gallman (Poway, Calif.) and Joan Cvengros’ Grand Makana. As the first combination into the Dick and Jane Brown Arena of Friday, the Team Silver medalist from the from the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) and the 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding held the lead for much the division after scoring 68.684%.

“He was a little unsure about the footing at first but once we got going, he was great,” said Gallman of Grand Makana. “He was a real trooper, I was really happy.”

Finishing in third place in the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship was Devon Wycoff (Boulder, Colo.) and her own 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding Power Play on 67.184%.

The AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship will crown its winners on Saturday following the completion of the FEI Young Rider Individual Test.

Allison Cyprus and Madoc Gareth (SusanJStickle.com)
Allison Cyprus and Madoc Gareth (SusanJStickle.com)

AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship

Twelve junior riders headed down the centerline to perform the FEI Junior Team Test and earn the first 50% of their championship score. Allison Cyprus (Magnolia, Texas) and Madoc Gareth were the first combination to execute their test in the class, taking the lead with a score of 68.162% and never looking back. She and her mother Kristin Cyprus’ 10-year-old Welsh Cob gelding had a nice flow to their test, showing quality trot and canter work.

“I was really happy with my ride. He goes really well in the rain because it makes him pop his legs so I thought let’s use this,” Cyprus explained. “He was really on my aids and I hope to do the same tomorrow or better.”

Cyprus and “Gary” are in their first year of competing in the FEI Junior division, showing great promise as the aim for the NAJYRC this summer.

Bebe Davis rode her father Michael Davis’ Rotano to a second-place finish with a score of 68.135% to bring the class to an end just before the lunch break. The Bedminster, N.J., native and the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding displayed their partnership with a lovely test.

My horse was really super; he felt really great,” Davis said. “He was super confident and really forward and expressive. I hope to improve on myself tomorrow and work on some little accuracy issues.”

Davis and Rotano were the 2013 AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Champions and are not far off from having a repeat victory.

Ending up third in the class with a score of 68.027% were Cassie Schmidt (Aledo, Texas) and Leslie Schmidt’s Velasquer. She and the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding had a very nice, consistent test. Schmidt felt her mount was a little unsure about going in such wet conditions for the first time but they worked together to put forth a solid effort.

The championship comes to a close on Saturday as the combinations will ride the FEI Junior Individual Test for the remaining half of their overall score.

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

USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship

A field of 11 completed the first step in their quest for a championship by riding their FEI Pony Team Test for the first 50% of their overall score. Fifteen-year-old Katrina Sadis (Ann Arbor, Mich.) rode Dressage4Kids, Inc.’s Poldy 10 to the win after earning a score of 70.385%. She and the 18-year-old German Riding gelding had a beautiful test with smooth transitions to finish almost four percentage points ahead of the second place competitor.

“My ride was amazing. The pony I got on was the best he has ever been,” stated Sadis. “He was with me the whole test.”

Sadis has been riding Poldy 10 for seven months and has found great success with him since she began leasing him. She hopes to keep Poldy 10 a bit rounder and more attentive to have an even better performance on Sunday.

Thirteen-year-old Hanna Benne (Satellite Beach, Fla.) and her and Susanne Benne’s Helluva Dream Maker had a very nice test to finish in second place on a score of 66.564%. She and the seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding painted a lovely picture in their first appearance at the U.S. Festival of Champions presented The Dutta Corp.

“He was really on point today,” said Benne. “He was really willing to do everything I asked.”

Benne hopes to have “Dreamer” more awake to have a better ride for her final test.

Jessica Fan, a 15-year-old native of Lake Jackson, Texas, and Madoc Prince Phillip were the third-place finishers with a score of 65.949%. She felt Leslie Fan’s 11-year-old Welsh Pony gelding was there from the beginning of the test, but plans to work on their left shoulder-in and jazzing up “Phillip” for their test on Sunday, when the riders will earn the remaining 50% from the FEI Pony Individual Test to decide the winner of the championship.

The competition will begin Saturday morning at 8:00 am ET with the remainder of the Intermediaire I division.

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

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

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

Top-notch Competition Set to Begin at 2014 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions

Arlene “Tuny” Page and Alina (SusanJStickle.com)

Gladstone, N.J. – The focus of the dressage world will turn to Gladstone, N.J. this week for the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by The Dutta Corp, as it runs June 12-15, in the Dick and Jane Brown Arena at the USET Foundation Headquarters. The annual championship will host the best dressage combinations in the United States across six divisions of competition, including Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup,’ Young Rider, Junior, and Pony Rider competition. Grand Prix competition will be doubly important as it will serve as a Selection Trial for the U.S. Dressage Team Short List for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

A field of 16 lines up in the Grand Prix Championship/Selection Trial, which gets underway on Thursday, as combinations will earn the first 45% of their championships score in the FEI Grand Prix Test. They return to the Dick and Jane Brown Arena on Saturday to contest the FEI Grand Prix Special, earning a further 40%. Grand Prix competition comes to a close on Sunday with the Freestyles, as competitors earn the remaining 15% of their overall scores.

All four riders that represented the U.S. at the London Olympic Games have traveled to Gladstone to stake their claims on a National Title and look to represent the United States at the World Championships in Normandy, France. Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) will look to secure his third consecutive National Championship with Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92. Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, Calif.), Tina Konyot (Palm City, Fla.), and Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) will all ride their Olympic partners, Beth Meyer, Ann Romney, and Amy Roberts Ebeling’s Rafalca, Konyot’s Calecto V, and Peggy Thomas’ Wizard, respectively.

Arlene Page (Wellington, Fla.) brings her own Alina to Gladstone after having spent part of the 2014 season competing in Europe on a USEF Dressage High Performance Pre-Games Training and Competition Grant.

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship

The Dutta Corp/USEF Intermediaire I Dressage National Championship will host 17 talented combinations in Small Tour competition. Like their Big Tour counterparts, they will perform three tests this week. On Thursday all competitors will earn 40% of their totals for the FEI Prix St. Georges Test, and return the following day to ride the FEI Intermediaire I Test for 45% of their championships scores. The final 15% of the Intermediaire Championship scores will be earned Sunday in the Freestyle.

Christopher Hickey and Ronaldo (SusanJStickle.com)
Christopher Hickey and Ronaldo (SusanJStickle.com)

The 2013 champions have come to the historic USET Foundation Headquarters looking to retain their title. Kim Herslow (Stockton, N.J.) and Kiroli Enterprises Inc.’s Rosmarin will look to display the form that led them to a sweep of Small Tour competition at 2013’s Dressage at Devon.

Christopher Hickey (Colora, Md.) brings Cecelia Stewart’s rising star, Ronaldo, to Gladstone this week in hopes of earning the fourth National Title of his career.

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

A small but mighty field of five lines up for USEF Young Adult ‘Brentina Cup’ Dressage National Championship presented by Dressage Today competition. The future Grand Prix stars of American dressage earn the first half of their championship scores on Thursday as they perform the USEF Young Adult “Brentina Cup” Test and earn the remaining 50% of their totals on Saturday in the FEI Young Adult U-25 Grand Prix Test.

The Reserve Champions from 2013, Rachel Chowanec (Columbia, Conn.) and Lendon Gray’s Embrujado XI, will head down centerline in the Dick and Jane Brown Arena looking to top the standings this week.

AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship

In the AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship, a talented field of 10 riders, all under the age of 21, have traveled to Gladstone to stake their claims on one of the most prestigious honors a young rider can garner. On Friday they begin performing the FEI Young Rider Team Test and return the following day to ride the FEI Young Rider Individual Test. Both tests will count for 50% of the championship average.

Anna Buffini has traveled to New Jersey from her home base in Escondido, Calif., with her own Sundayboy, who competed in Small Tour competition with Olympian Guenter Seidel, to showcase the talent that has seen them rise to the top of the 2014 AGCO/USEF Young Rider Dressage National Championship Ranking List.

AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship

Twelve of the top junior riders from across the United States will line up to earn bragging rights in the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship by contesting the FEI Junior Team Test for 50% of their score on Friday. Competition comes to a close on Saturday as they return to the Dick and Jane Brown Arena to ride the Individual Test for the remaining half of their score.

The 2013 Champion Bebe Davis (Bedminster, N.J.) returns to the Festival of Champions with her partner at last year’s championship, Michael Davis’ Rotano, as well as a new mount this year, Michael Davis’ Feivel Mousekewitz, both of whom she has found great success with in the competition arena. Allison Cyprus (Magnolia, Texas) hopes to find success once more in Gladstone after winning the 2011 National Pony Rider Dressage Championship at the famous venue. In her first year competing at the FEI Junior level, she and her mother Kristin Cyprus’ Madoc Gareth have found great success.

USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship

A field of 11 will compete in the USEF Pony Rider Dressage National Championship. On Friday the riders will perform the FEI Pony Team Test for the first 50% of their overall championship score, while the remaining 50% from the FEI Pony Individual Test will determine the winner.

Emma Patterson (Houston, Texas), winner of the 2012 13-and-Under USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final, will ride her own Wynshire’s Valiant and hope to find success in another USEF National Championship.

Watch the championship divisions unfold 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/.