Tag Archives: USDF

Championships, Community/Charity, Dressage

Trainer Returns from Germany, Partners with USA Breeder to Qualify for USDF Championship

Leave a comment

Congratulations to Milym Equestrian’s Head Trainer Miriam Offermanns for qualifying for the United States Dressage Federation Regional Championships with USA bred sale horse, Haute Couture.

After spending 4 years training and competing with top horses in Germany and attaining her International Trainer Certification, we are excited to see Offermanns is back on the Dressage Show Circuit stateside. She is not only competing and training horses for breeders but is also running Milym Equestrian, a comprehensive training and sales facility out of Alpharetta, Georgia.

An integral part of Milym Equestrian’s growing success is her recent partnership with Huck’s Hill Farm, led by Marcia Boeing of Camden, SC. Well established as a top Hanoverian breeder in the Southeast, Offermanns has the distinct pleasure of training, competing and offering Huck’s Hill Farms young warmbloods for sale to new homes.

One of Boeing’s horses, a 2011 Hotline x Waterford mare named “Haute Couture” and affectionately known as “Coco” around the barn, immediately stood out to Offermanns as a top dressage prospect.

“It is rare to find a horse that possesses all of the attributes we hope for in a competition horse but Coco possesses not only ride-ability and trainability, but also the willingness and work ethic to try harder every day. She is simply exceptional and it is an honor to develop her,” commented Offermanns.

After only 6-weeks of dressage training, Offermanns trailered Haute Couture to a clinic with Scott Hassler, our recent USEF Young Horse Dressage Coach. The 5-yo mare completed the clinic like a seasoned professional and a cautiously optimistic Offermanns decided to take her chances and sign the young mare up for her first USDF show a few weeks later at Chattahoochee Hills Farm in Fairburn, Georgia.

The beautiful, dark bay mare lived up to every one of Offermanns’ expectations – beating out seasoned schoolmasters and winning all 4 of her classes, as well as the High Score of the entire show. This increasingly impressive pair had solid 8s and 8.5s on their score sheets and qualified for the USDF Regional Championships as well as the Breeder’s Championships at Devon with a spectacular 75.7% in their Materiale Class.

“Coco surpassed our expectations for her very first show. We could not have been more proud and excited,” said Offermanns.

Milym Equestrian would like to thank Huck’s Hill Farm and Marcia Boeing for the opportunity to develop her talented young sale horse. And thank you to the Milym Equestrian sponsors, Fits Riding and Voltaire Design, for continuing to support our team.

Milym Equestrian is currently accepting top young horses from American Breeders into our successful training program. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive training and sales program.

Championships, Competitions, Dressage

Inspirational Adult Amateurs and Olympians Are Highlight of Second Day of US Dressage Finals

Leave a comment

Catalina Sherwood and Razmitaz. Photos by Susan J. Stickle.

Earlier this week, things weren’t looking good for Catalina Sherwood as she pursued her dream of riding at the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, a unique national head-to-head competition for adult amateur and open riders of all levels being held November 5-8, 2015 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. After a long van ride from Tucson, Ariz., her eight-year-old RPSI mare Razmitaz wasn’t her usual self.

“She wasn’t feeling well when she came off the trailer, but the wonderful show vets from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute got right on it and it turned out she was coming down with shipping fever,” Sherwood explained. “So we didn’t know if we’d even get to ride. Fortunately she responded to treatment and bounced right back, but it was quite a dramatic few days.” Despite the worry, Razmitaz rewarded Sherwood’s faith by earning a victory for Region 5 in the First Level Adult Amateur Championship with 69.118%. “She’s half Quarter Horse and half Dutch Warmblood, so she’s an interesting mix and you never know what you’re going to get with her. Some days we call her ‘Ranch Raz’ and other days it’s ‘Spaz Raz’ depending on her mood,” laughed Sherwood. “But she felt great this morning, so I just focused on riding her just like I do at home and tried not to get distracted by the incredible surroundings here and all the other amazing riders and horses. To end up winning is so much more special after a long week of worry.” Sherwood is just one example of a multitude of inspiring stories at the Finals, especially among the adult amateur ranks. “I’m a working mom with a full-time career in engineering and sales, and my husband is at home with my three-year-old son, and I couldn’t be here without their support and that of my mom who came to Lexington with me,” she said. “We all work hard and there’s a lot of early mornings and late nights to try to ride, so it’s really special to be here with so many other amazing amateurs who are doing the same thing.” Reserve Champion was Region 9’s Ashlee Watts, an equine orthopedic surgeon at Texas A&M in College Station, Texas who rode her Danish Warmblood gelding Hampton (Blue Hors Hotline x Madigan L) to 68.284%. “My friends make fun of me because all I talk about is how amazing my horse is, but he is!” said a thrilled Watts. “He hasn’t traveled a lot or done that much showing, so I wasn’t sure how he’d handle all of this but he’s been perfect and happy here.”

A friendly Region 1 rivalry continued on the national stage today in the First Level Open Championship as Michael Bragdell of Colora, Md. rode Hilltop Farm, Inc.’s five-year-old Hanoverian Sternlicht Hilltop (Soliman de Hus x Rhapsody GGF by Rascalino, bred in the U.S. by Rachel Ehrlich) to the win with 74.363%, just ahead of Stacey Hastings of Mooresville, N.C. with hers and Ronald Woodcock’s Oldenburg gelding Fürst Aurum (Fürst Romancier x Kapela by Rohdiamant) on 72.598%. “I was really happy with how he was today – we had a great warm-up class yesterday and he felt really good so I went for it today,” said Bragdell of the young stallion. “He’s a really good boy and no matter what I ask he puts his best foot forward. The weather’s been great this year, and it’s such a fun experience coming here. As an athlete, you really feel like it’s something special. There are all these people from across the country who come to compete, and it gives you the sense that it’s a true national championship and makes for such a special event.” Hastings was also pleased with her mount’s performance. “He was pretty spicy yesterday so I was a little concerned that there might be more of the same today, but we took our time warming up and it paid off. This trip has been really special because his co-owner has had a long illness this year, and this was the first time since last year’s Finals that he was able to attend a show and see his horse go.”

In the Third Level Adult Amateur Championship, Katherine Lewis of Region 3 put the talent and energy of her Oldenburg gelding Donneur (Donnerschwee x Akorina by Cordeur) to good use as the only competitor in the division to break the 70% banner, earning a score of 71.239% for the win. “I have such an incredible horse – he always gives 500 percent. But he used to ‘self-destruct’ in his paddock, so now he goes out in a big field with a retired show hunter where he stays safe and sound and is doing super. He’s very brave and tries so hard – he’s an overachiever but a joy to ride,” said Lewis, who is retired from a career in mechanical engineering and now owns Black Forest Equestrian Center in Aiken, S.C. with her husband. She explained how she’s also enjoyed her first Finals experience. “The footing here is incredible everywhere, we’ve met the most wonderful people, and the volunteers are so dedicated and friendly to everyone. I just love it all, it’s very well done.” Hometown favorite and middle-school language arts teacher Cariann Wlosinski of Lexington, Ky. (qualified in Region 1) has competed successfully in every edition of the Finals so far with her seven-year-old Oldenburg mare Rhiannon (Rousseau x Odette by Riverman) who she bred herself. Today the pair earned another Reserve Championship on a score of 69.231%. “We spent all summer working on our flying changes, and I really enjoy Third Level. We get so excited to be here each year.”

Former western rider Mike Suchanek of Cambridge, Minn. (Region 4) is enjoying success in a very different type of arena as he rode Douglas and Louise Leatherdale’s Hanoverian gelding Corenzo (Conteur x Ramira by Rotspon) to a narrow victory in the Fourth Level Open Championship thanks to a top score of 70.741%. “Our test went really well today. He took some deep breaths out there and relaxed into his rhythm – he was a real partner and shared my confidence in the ring,” said Suchanek of his mount, who he’s brought up from Second Level. “I especially enjoyed our flying changes; I think it was some of his best work so far. He’s come a long way in a short amount of time.” Suchanek just edged out Bridget Hay of Flemington, N.J. (Region 8) with her own six-year-old Oldenburg stallion Faolan (Freestyle x Wyoming by Weltstern, bred in the U.S. by Barbara Hay) with 70.481%. “It’s been a bittersweet journey bringing Faolan along because we also bred his older brother, who I was just about to bring out at Grand Prix when we lost him at just 11 years old. He was the horse of a lifetime,” Hay explained. “But Faolan has grown up so much this year, and even though it’s hard not to compare him to his brother, it means so much that he’s my next superstar.”

Sara Schmitt and HB Dschafar
Sara Schmitt and HB Dschafar

Music rang out across the Kentucky Horse Park grounds today as eight national titles for musical freestyles were awarded. Sara Schmitt and her German Riding Pony gelding HB Dschafar (Daylight x Champion de Luxe) made quite an impression on the judges for this afternoon’s Second Level Freestyle Open Championship on their way to earning a dominant score of 77.611% and take the winner’s sash home to Flemington, N.J. (Region 8). “He’s a hot tamale and he went around the ring looking at everything,” said Schmitt. “But once we entered the arena he focused on his job. We got about halfway through the test and I kind of sat back and thought, ‘this is just the best’. I had no expectations to win so that just makes it all the more sweet.” Finishing in second with 72.500% for her Celtic-themed performance was Jonni Allen of Pleasant Hill, Mo. (Region 4), who rode Mary Adams’ FWF Princess Juliana, a seven-year-old Georgian Grande mare (Pieter fan Lutke Peinjum x Flying W Farms Dresden Figurin by Flying W Farms Firedance, bred in the U.S. by Flying W Farms, Inc.). “She was a little tense at first but she came back to me and I was delighted. I just love coming here to the Finals,” noted Allen.

After winning Reserve honors in yesterday’s Second Level Adult Amateur Championship, Region 8’s Amy Gimbel (Oldwick, N.J.) and her six-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Eye Candy (UB40 x Wednesday by Weltmeyer, bred in the U.S. by Judy Barrett) returned to the ring today to decisively claim top honors by more than a seven-point margin in the Second Level Freestyle Adult Amateur division with 76.333%, ahead of fellow New Jersey resident and Region 8 competitor Jamie Reilley, who finished in second with 69.000%. “Jamie and I have been competing together for about two years, and now we both train with Heather Mason and it was really special to cheer each other on and finish in the top two together,” said Gimbel. Reilley improved upon a third-place finish last year to move into the top two with her Charlie Brown-themed freestyle aboard her with her home-bred Oldenburg gelding Feinest Proof (Feiner Stern x Proof Run by Proof). “Everything fell into place for us today,” Reilley explained. “He’s a special boy because I bred and foaled him, and he came back from a devastating injury as a three-year-old. I even tried to give him away but he was so bad to handle on the ground that they gave him back, and I’m so glad they did! Now he’s a gift to ride every day.”

Brianna Zwilling (Wentzville, Mo.) of Region 4 rode her seven-year-old Oldenburg gelding Griffindor (Galiani CH x Ronja M by Ravallo, bred in the U.S. by Fernando Cardenas) to win the Third Level Freestyle Open Championship with 72.333%. “I’m very happy with my ride; it was actually quite emotional for me. My horse is very sensitive and he was a little bit spooky going around the ring, but as soon as the music turned on he was right there with me and I feel like he gave me 150 percent. He’s the most special horse I’ve ever sat on,” she added. “I love it here at the Finals. It’s different from any other show, it feels very elite. But at the same time I don’t feel nervous because it’s just such an honor to be in that ring. Plus it’s so well run every year, it’s an absolute pleasure to be here.” Elizabeth Landers’ 50-hour drive from Agoura Hills, Calif. (Region 7) proved worthwhile as she partnered with her stunning black Hanoverian gelding His Highness Crusador (His Highness x Lynn by Lauries Crusador) to 70.389% and Reserve Champion honors. “My horse fell in love with the Alltech Arena, and he came in there today like he owned the place. When our ride started he clicked in his groove and it was just fun,” said Landers. “We’ve come so far this year, and it’s a mind-blowing experience to be here.”

Region 7’s Amalia Boyles also braved the cross country trip to the Finals from her home in Carlsbad, Calif. and was rewarded with a victory in the Fourth Level Freestyle Adult Amateur Championship aboard Donna Richardson’s Hanoverian gelding Welt Erbe (Weltmeyer x Solveig by Shogun) with 69.944%. “Yesterday he was really hot, so today I was hoping for a more relaxed horse and in the warm-up I think we did a better job to prepare,” said Boyles, who is a recent college graduate. “He’s more experienced than I am but he’s also a little quirky – he has about a hundred different personalities all in one. You never know what you’re going to get, but he’s definitely made me a better rider. I’ve never competed in a facility quite like this and it certainly was a very tough competition, but I wanted to experience this and my parents and friends helped me get here. It was all definitely worth it after today.” Nelson Long of Signal Mountain, Tenn. (Region 3) returned to the Finals for a second straight year and this time earned the division’s Reserve Championship for a Les Miserables-themed freestyle with his Dutch Warmblood gelding Be Cool Metall (Daddy Cool x Tannory by Metall) with 68.611%. “My horse is very green so when we first went in the arena he was pretty full of himself, but he settled down and went to work,” he explained. “We were here in 2014 for First and Second Level, and what a difference a year makes. He works very hard and it really was a delight.”

In the Intermediate I Freestyle Adult Amateur Championship, Colene Stevens of Canton, Ohio (Region 2) rode her 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Bonifaz S (Brentano II x Windgame by Weltmeyer) to the win with 66.125%. “I love riding to the music in the Alltech Arena, it really enhances the whole experience,” she explained. “My gelding loves to show off in front of people, so it was fun. It was quite a process with a lot of laughs to find the right music for him – we tried song after song and even had votes at the barn to help choose the right ones, but ultimately it was my horse who picked the music.” Earning her second Reserve Championship in as many days was Alexandra Krossen of Basking Ridge, N.J. (Region 8) who had another good performance with Heather Mason’s Hanoverian cross mare Damani (Duvall x Gqdiva by Gesandt, bred in the U.S. by Virginia Godfrey) for 65.958%.

It was a hard-fought and heartfelt win in the competitive Intermediate I Freestyle Open Championship for Heather McCarthy of Prairie Grove, Ill. (Region 2) as she rode John McGuire and Marilyn Johnson’s Oldenburg mare Saphira (Florencio x Roxina by Chairman) to the win with 73.125%. “John McGuire recently passed away, so it was a hard show for me but this was his dream for Saphira to succeed like this,” McCarthy explained. “I really went for it today and I think it was one of the most fun rides I’ve ever had. We look forward to coming to the Finals all year – when we’re at Regionals we keep our fingers crossed hoping we’re going to qualify because it’s such a fun show to come to.” Earning Reserve Champion honors with a score of 72.917% was also sincerely appreciated by Heather Mendiburu of Wantage, N.J. (Region 8) who wasn’t sure she would be even able to come to Kentucky with her Hanoverian mare What Happen (Waldstar x Gina de Ro by Gloster, owned by High Point Solutions). “Things were a little up in the air for us coming into this because my mare had an injury right after Devon, so we only had about three decent rides before we came here so didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “But once we got going everything was clicking and I knew that we were in sync and that it was going to be a good ride. It’s such a privilege just to be here.”

Alice Tarjan of Frenchtown, N.J. (Region 8) has proven to be unbeatable in the Grand Prix Adult Amateur ranks, and today added the division’s Freestyle Championship to her list of accomplishments. With her eight-year-old Oldenburg mare Elfenfeuer (Florencio x Elfensonne by Sion) she earned a score of 71.083% for her Alice in Wonderland freestyle to accept the Calaveras County Perpetual Trophy presented by artist Olva Stewart Pharo. “I’m just thrilled to be here again and I had so much fun,” said Tarjan. “It’s so exciting to meet people from all over the country, share a passion with horses and talk to people about their stories and how they got here. I really enjoy it.” Candace Platz of Auburn, Maine (Region 8) was thrilled to earn 66.750% and claim the Reserve ribbon with her 11-year-old American Warmblood gelding Fynn*/*/*/*/*/, who was a PMU rescue horse. “I’m really thrilled – my goal with this freestyle was to touch people’s hearts. It’s really important to me that the message of how I feel about my horse and our relationship as best friends and partners comes through, and tonight it did.”

Closing out festive evening performances, Olympian and USDF Hall of Fame member Michael Poulin of DeLeon Springs, Fla. (qualified in Region 8) made the crowd come alive with Pineland Farms, Inc.’s mighty Dutch Warmblood gelding Thor M (Mirakel x Debora by Westvoorn). After finishing second in Friday’s Grand Prix Open Championship, Poulin was not to be denied top honors on this special night and the pair earned a unanimous victory from FEI judges Axel Steiner, Lilo Fore and Natalie Lamping with a score of 72.583% to claim the Grand Prix Freestyle Open Championship for their performance featuring music from the Brave movie soundtrack. No one in the audience as able to tell that Poulin had barely rehearsed the routine and even improvised movements as he went along, including 37 consecutive one-tempi’s. “I really didn’t practice it at all – I ride a freestyle by the numbers in that I do it by ear and by timing, counting the number of beats. That’s just the way I do it and it works for me. And tonight I also threw new things in the test and just said ‘let’s give it a whirl’,” said Poulin, who emphasized he had every faith in his mount. “He’s quite a clever horse and a tremendous giver. You have to treat him with respect and kindness because he’s hot and sensitive, but that’s what makes him great.” Emily Miles of Overland Park, Kansas (Region 4) and her long-time partner Weltdorff (Hanoverian gelding, Weltmeyer x Luna by Ludendorff) finished a solid second with 71.208% earned for their precise routine also highlighted by single-handed one-tempi’s on the final centerline that even prompted a grin from judge Lilo Fore. “I don’t love the music but it works so well for him – he may not be the biggest mover but it highlights his precision,” she noted. “It’s not the first time he’s come through for me – I’ve had him for ten years since he was a three-year-old and here we are. That’s pretty cool.”

The US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® will conclude on Sunday as the last 10 champions for 2015 are crowned. Follow the action through updates on the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, as well as watch live online streaming on the popular USEF Network (http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2015usdressagefinals). To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, review day sheets and results, and read daily news releases, visit the official event website at http://www.usdressagefinals.com.

Source: Yellow Horse Marketing for the US Dressage Finals

Dressage, USDF

Competitors Overcome All Obstacles to Gather at Kentucky Horse Park for US Dressage Finals

Leave a comment

Competitors are now arriving on the hallowed grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park for this week’s US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, and these horses and riders represent a myriad of both physical and personal journeys in traveling from across the country to take part in this unique national head-to-head dressage competition. For one exhibitor, even financial constraints and the memory of an “exploding truck” can’t keep her from making her annual pilgrimage to Lexington.

When Cecilia Cox qualified for the inaugural Finals in 2013, she and friend Shelly Schoenfeld happily embarked on the 18-hour journey from Leon Springs, Texas with American Warmblood mare Donabella in tow for what they hoped would be the experience of a lifetime. It certainly was a memorable trip – but not for the reason they originally envisioned. “We were halfway there and our truck ‘exploded’,” said Cox. “We were stranded on the side of the road for three hours with Donabella, and had to find alternate transportation to finish the trip to Kentucky. It ended up taking three months to get that truck fixed.”

Despite the first year’s nightmarish journey, Cox would not be deterred. She happily came back to the Finals in 2014, and has once again returned to compete this week with Donabella as well as stablemate Winnie Too, her 12-year-old gray American Warmblood mare. “My experiences at the Finals have been wonderful,” she noted. “I love the venue, being able to see riders from all the other regions, and competing with others who have experienced the same things as you but come from different areas of the country. It pushes you that extra bit to be around them because it makes you want to be a better rider.”

Cox is one of almost 400 entries gathering in the heart of the Bluegrass for the US Dressage Finals and corresponding open show. Over four exciting days of competition, riders representing all nine United States Dressage Federation (USDF) regions will compete for championships in 30 divisions, offering exhibitors from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels (including adult amateurs, professionals, and High Performance riders) a chance to earn national honors, fantastic prizes, and more than $50,000 in prize money at all dressage levels from Training to Grand Prix as well as musical freestyles. For added excitement this year, the top-scoring riders in various divisions from each of the Great American/USDF Regional Championships will also compete on regional teams in the new US Dressage Finals “Regions Cup”, vying with competitors from across the country for additional awards and bragging rights for their home USDF Region.

With her two mounts, Cox will once again trot down the centerline with the staunch support of her family, including husband Mark and daughters Eirin and Amanda. “My husband is so supportive of me – he’s willing to stay home and take care of everything while I’m gone so that I can do this. It’s a team effort,” Cox said. She also explained how she goes to great lengths to be able to afford to make the annual trip to the Finals. “I don’t want to take money out of the household budget to do this, so we stay in the campground and eat meals in our RV to help keep costs down. At home, I critter-sit for friends and neighbors, braid at horse shows, and body clip horses so I save can every penny I can towards the horses. The Finals are my goal every year, and the sacrifices are absolutely worth it – I’m happy to get covered in horse hair in order to do this! It’s such an incredible opportunity.”

Traveling from the opposite side of the country to experience her first Finals is Lisa Schmidt of Hampton, N.J. She earned an invitation to compete thanks to a victory in the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Region 1 Open Training Level Championship with Debbie Gunset’s five-year-old Hanoverian gelding Qrown Prince. When not in the saddle, Schmidt is a USEF “S” judge and also serves as the USDF Region 1 Director, marking the first time a member of the USDF Executive Board will ride in the Finals. “Over the last two years I have always been somewhere judging so haven’t had the opportunity to come to Kentucky,” said Schmidt. “But this year I worked to balance the judging and showing and am lucky enough to get the chance to finally go. I am particularly excited because as an Executive Board member, I have been involved in the planning process for the Finals but never got to experience it for myself. I know so many people in my region who have competed in previous years and raved about it, so I feel like I can’t miss this chance.”

The US Dressage Finals get started on Thursday, November 5 with USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass open classes, followed by a Competitor Welcome Party at the Alltech Arena. Championship classes kick off on Friday, with special evening performances and activities both Friday and Saturday to entertain competitors and spectators alike. For a truly unforgettable championship experience, limited VIP seating in the Alltech Arena is still available for purchase. For those dressage fans unable to attend the Finals in person, the popular USEF Network will feature live online streaming of select classes from the Alltech Arena on their website, www.usefnetwork.com.

To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, review entry lists, purchase tickets to special events, and sign up to receive news and updates, visit the official event website at http://www.usdressagefinals.com.

Source: Yellow Horse Marketing for the US Dressage Finals

Contributors/Press, Dressage

Shelly Temple Earns Her USDF Silver Medal with Cooper

Leave a comment

It is tough to be a champion in any FEI discipline. But what does it take to excel at two? Shelly Temple, with her 17 year old Morgan gelding LR Ami B-Line (“Cooper”), recently earned the US Dressage Federations silver medal. Shelly has concentrated on ridden dressage with Cooper since his informal retirement from the sport of combined driving in 2013. Shelly and Cooper finalized the silver medal in September at the Pumpkin Patch Dressage Show in Camden, South Carolina with coach Amy McElroy.

Although Shelly was a former dressage rider during her equestrian career, Cooper was primarily a combined driving pony. Their partnership resulted in Shelly and Cooper being crowned US National Champion Single Pony in 2006, 2010 and 2011 as well as members of the US Pony Driving team in 2007 and 2011. In the World Championships, Shelly and Cooper won silver and bronze medals in driven dressage as well as two Bronze Team medals.

Shelly’s next goal is earning her USDF gold medal with her longtime partner, Cooper.

Shelly is sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, Omega Fields, Leather Therapy, Back on Track, Purina, Kombat Boots and Charles Owens.

Catalyst Driving Center is an equestrian driving facility in Windsor, South Carolina specializing in the training of all levels of drivers and horses. Please feel free to contact Shelly to learn more about her, the products she trusts, her horses, and what Catalyst Driving can offer the driving enthusiast.

Jeff Legg, Catalyst Driving

Shelly Temple
Catalyst Driving Center
Windsor, South Carolina
804-837-4888
shelly@catalystdriving.com
www.catalystdriving.com

Competitions, Dressage

Ten More Champions Are Crowned on Final Day of US Dressage Finals

Leave a comment

Amy Gimbel.

Intense head-to-head dressage competition across 30 championship divisions concluded on Sunday at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington for the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®. Surrounded by friends and family, emotions ran high for competitors as they rode their way into history and celebrated their success with joyous victory laps before packing for their long journeys back to homes across the country.

The appropriately-named Dutch Warmblood Eye Candy (Weltmeyer x UB40) was one of the day’s big winners. In the largest class of the Finals, the lovely five-year-old mare owned by Heather Mason was the final ride of the class but made the biggest impression with the judges as she carried rider Amy Gimbel of Lebanon, N.J. (Region 8) to victory in the hotly-contested Training Level Adult Amateur Championship with a score of 75.800%. “I started riding Eye Candy about nine months ago,” said Gimbel. “The horse I had been riding before her was sold, so I was looking for something to catch ride and Heather offered her to me. She’s been a super horse to show – even though this was only her fifth competition and it has a huge atmosphere, she handled it all so well. I feel so lucky to ride her and I have a lot to be thankful for.” First to go down centerline at 8am was Carolyn Desnoyer of Mosinee, Wis. (qualified in Region 4) aboard her warmblood mare Fresca (Festrausch x Rising Star by GP Raymeister). They posted a score of 73.533% that stood atop the leaderboard for the duration of the class until Gimbel’s final ride, but ultimately was still good enough Reserve Championship honors. “She came out of her stall ready to work and two minutes after we got to the warm-up I thought ‘hey, they could ring that bell any time; we’re ready to go,'” said Desnoyer of her mount. “She went in and did her job and gave me everything she had. I was so proud of her. I feel like Cinderella – it’s been an amazing experience here at the Finals.”

A particularly heartwarming moment of the day came during the presentation of the Janine Westmoreland Malone Perpetual Trophy (presented by USDF) to the new Adult Amateur Prix St. Georges Champion, Adrienne Bessey of Region 7. Bessey and her Danish Warmblood mare Dido ran away with the title on an impressive score of 71.491%, more than six points better than the next-placed competitor. With this score, Dido (by Royal Hit) also earned the Lloyd Landkamer Perpetual Trophy for FEI Highest Scoring Mare, presented by Janet Foy. It was an emotional win for Bessey, a family practice physician in Thousand Oaks, Cal. “My test felt great; she was perfect for me and did everything I asked,” she explained. “I hadn’t ever thought of traveling this far for a show, but some of my friends in California were coming and asked if I wanted to go, so I said ‘sure, why not’. I can’t believe how well organized and fun this show is. The atmosphere is almost indescribable, it feels very big but at the same time everyone is so supportive of each other. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to come here.” Earning Reserve Champion honors was Jennifer Van de Loo (Holly Springs, Miss., qualified in Region 2) who rode her Oldenburg gelding Lanzelot 99 (by Lord Sinclair I) to 65.000%. “He is my schoolmaster, and this is just my second year at the FEI level,” said Van de Loo. “He’s the best horse ever and I’m so thankful for him. It’s an honor to be here and I’ve enjoyed it so much.”

The morning’s Prix St. Georges Open Championship became a clash of the titans as incredibly talented horses and riders battled for the win. Saturday night’s Intermediate I Open Freestyle Champions Angela Jackson and Allure S (Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Kerrin Dunn) returned to the ring no worse for wear to once again post a top score of 71.491% and lead another victory lap. “She was still asleep this morning when I had to get her ready, but she got up and felt great! It felt like the best Prix St. Georges test I’ve done with her all year,” said an elated Jackson of her partner. “Now we’re going to go home, take a little time off, and then start preparing for a move up to the Developing Horse Grand Prix.” Reserve Champions Mette Rosencrantz (Topanga, Cal., Region 7) also has big plans for Anne Solbraekke’s Hanoverian gelding De Noir 3 (De Niro x Maharani by Matcho) as she is considering the pursuit of a U.S. Team berth for next year’s Pan American Games in Toronto. The elegant pair followed up their Intermediate I Open Championship on Friday by finishing a close second today with a score of 71.009%. “I had a good ride; he’s a great show horse, and I enjoy riding him,” Rosencrantz said. “There were so many talented riders and horses in this class; it was amazing. Everyone was breathing down each other’s necks because we’re all here for the same reason – to win.”

Amy Stuhr Paterson (Lee’s Summit, Mo., Region 4) thought she might be in trouble as she prepared for her Intermediate B Adult Amateur Championship performance with Greenwood Sporthorses’ Dutch Warmblood mare Wies V/D Klumpert (by Future x Sarina V/D Klumpert by Havidoff). “My horse was incredibly wild in that ring yesterday when we were just hand walking around the perimeter,” she explained. “She was literally passaging in-hand, so I was a little bit worried about what today might bring.” But the lovely Dutch Warmblood mare rewarded Paterson’s trust by earning a score of 68.690%, good enough for a narrow victory. “She ended up using all that energy for good and not evil, so I was thrilled with our ride,” said Paterson, who missed last year’s inaugural Finals due to battling breast cancer. “It’s a tricky test, but she was honest and with me the entire time. It meant a lot to me to be here, and I definitely want to show at Grand Prix next year and come back.” Friday’s Grand Prix Adult Amateur Champions Alice Tarjan (Frenchtown, N.J. Region 8) and her young Oldenburg mare Elfenfeuer returned to claim Reserve Championship honors today with 68.333%. “She handled being outside really well today. We had some mistakes but we’re green at this level and we have plenty of work to do and room for improvement,” said Tarjan.

Heather Mason of Lebanon, N.J. (Region 8) found great success at last year’s inaugural Finals, and she returned to Kentucky to claim yet another title with her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Zar by topping the Intermediate B Open Championship on a score of 69.286%. “This is a great show and so well-run. I love it, and my clients all love it. I think it’s just a fun show to go to, and it’s a lot bigger this year,” said Mason. “As for Zar, I think he’s actually going to be a better Grand Prix horse than a small tour horse, just because his piaffe/passage work is pretty special. He’s kind of a hot horse who is very honest but incredibly scared of everything, so I had a lot of horse under me today! But he was really good and he held it together.” Also returning to the Finals was Eva Oldenbroek Tabor of Medina, Texas (Region 9) who earned the Reserve Championship with her flashy Dutch Warmblood gelding Uberlinus (by Metall) with 66.865%. “I’ve have him since he was three years old and he’s 13 now, so I know him inside and out,” said Tabor. “I’ve been through some ups and downs with him because he’s sensitive and he’s not easy. But we’ve worked our way up from the young horse classes and here we are! Today was a wonderful day – he was flawless. I was here at the Finals last year and it made me want to come back. The arena is amazing and the footing is amazing. It’s probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever competed in.”

Morgan Barrows of Monroe, Wash. (Region 6) and Janice Davis’ six-year-old Oldenburg gelding San Corazon have proven to be unbeatable at Open Second Level at these Finals, following up on Saturday’s freestyle win by claiming today’s Second Level Open Championship with 72.063%. “He’s been such a ‘steady Eddie’ at every horse show from the minute you take him off the trailer,” said Barrows. “He’s already showing talent for the Prix St. Georges, so if he’s ready we’ll think about Developing Horse next year. We’ll see how it goes. Maybe we’ll even be able to come back here – we certainly had a great time this year.” Also enjoying the Finals experience was Reserve Champion Tena Frieling of Holland, Mich. (qualified in Region 2) who earned a score of 70.159% with her Oldenburg gelding Royal Heir, which she has developed since he was a three-year-old. “I can’t believe that we’ve done this,” said Frieling as she blinked back tears. “It’s completely unexpected. Today my ride was as good as it could have been. It’s been a long road for us, but I’m just so happy to be here. It’s been a fantastic experience.”

Music once again rang out across the Kentucky Horse Park as a second full day of freestyles got underway with 24 entries in the First Level Open Freestyle in the electric atmosphere of the Alltech Arena. Emerging victorious was Megan McIsaac of Oregon, Wis. (Region 2) who rode the Trakehner gelding Kingsley (owned by Wisconsin Kid LLC) to a top score of 73.722%, good enough for a narrow win over Stacey Hastings (Mooresville, N.C., Region 1) riding Karen Guerra’s Friesian mare Trijntje v.d. Bokkefarm (by Beart 411) with 73.167%. “It was so awesome to be here and be a part of this event,” said McIsaac, who was attending the Finals for the first time. “Kingsley is so talented and he always brings that to the table. He’s a really special horse and I have some exciting goals for him for the future.”

Cariann Wlosinski (Lexington, Ky., Region 2) and her own Oldenburg mare Rhiannon (by Rousseau) had already added Saturday’s Second Level Adult Amateur Freestyle title to their resume, but returned on Sunday to claim one more victory in the First Level Adult Amateur Freestyle on a score of 73.700%. “It’s been a fun weekend!” she exclaimed. “We rode this freestyle last year and finished third, so it meant a lot to come back and win with it this year. I thought she’d be tired today, but she actually was even better. I also would like to thank those who made the decision to separate the open and adult amateur freestyle championship classes. Everyone loves freestyles but they are a lot of work, and it means a lot to have our own division.” Amy Gimbel and Heather Mason’s young Dutch Warmblood mare Eye Candy had already earned the Training Level Adult Amateur title earlier in the morning, but the pair also added a second championship honor to their roster by earning the First Level Adult Amateur Freestyle Reserve Championship. “She was a little distracted in this test, but she’s still such a good girl and I couldn’t be happier with our experience.”

Nancy Szakacs’ smile was infectious as she rode a Ricky Martin-themed freestyle aboard her own Westfalen gelding Rudi Regali to top the Third Level Adult Amateur Freestyle Championship with 69.056%. “This music suits his movement and personality, and today we were so ‘on’ with the music, it really was like we were dancing,” said Szakacs, who works in clinical research for a biopharmaceutical company back home in Hollister, Cal. (Region 7). “It felt like so much fun just being in the Alltech Arena and having that electric experience. I remember at one moment I looked up to see my name on the huge scoreboard at the end of arena and just thought, ‘wow!’ It’s been wonderful.” Reserve Champion Taryn Hochstatter (St. Charles, Ill. qualified in Region 4) was equally thrilled after scoring 67.500% aboard Ginna Frantz’s Oldenburg mare Bella Luna GP. “She’s a sassy chestnut mare, so we love to show off that attitude in her freestyle,” said Hochstatter, who came to the Finals for the first time with her mother, who she called her “number one fan”. “Of course there’s pressure to do well, but when we halted at the end of the test I almost cried because my horse did so well today. It was unreal.”

Stacey Hastings brought five horses to the Finals from Mooresville, N.C. (Region 1) and now returns home a national champion after claiming the Fourth Level Open Freestyle title with 72.278% aboard Coves Darden Farm’s striking black PRE stallion Police. “This is a brand new freestyle with music by Peter Gabriel which suits him well,” Hastings explained. “The downside is that it’s so new; I just learned the music last week and didn’t have time to actually practice it more than about three times. But I had it on video so I just watched it over and over and over and hoped for the best. We lucked out! I’m so glad I came this year; the show ran well and everyone’s been so friendly.” Fellow Region 1 competitor Dawn Weniger of Apex, N.C. and her Dutch gelding Don Derrick (by Don Ruto) didn’t let a few bobbles keep them from claiming Reserve honors with 69.333% for their medieval-themed performance. “He was afraid of some patches of light shining on the floor of the arena so he jumped over them a few times, but he was lovely and forward and light, and I’m pretty darn happy,” Weniger said. “I’ve never done a national championship before, and I was having so much fun with my horse. He makes me smile every day. He’s so kind and fun and talented, but still a regular guy.”

More information, including final results, photo galleries, and news archives from the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, is available on the official event website www.usdressagefinals.com. Video on-demand from select championship performances is also available on the USEF Network (www.usefnetwork.com). A complete archive of each competition day’s results is listed at this direct link: http://www.usdf.org/usdressagefinals/competitors/results.asp.

Source: Yellow Horse Marketing for the US Dressage Finals

Competitions, Dressage

Riders and Horses Dance to Victory on Freestyle Day at US Dressage Finals

Leave a comment

Janne Rumbough.

Music filled the concourse of the Alltech Arena to the delight of an enthusiastic crowd of spectators and VIPs on Saturday as some of the country’s best dressage horses and riders did their best to captivate the judges and earn national championship honors for their carefully-choreographed musical freestyles at the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, being held November 6-9, 2014 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY.

One of the highlights of the day was the presentation of the new Calaveras County Perpetual Trophy (by artist Olva Stewart Pharo) to the very first US Dressage Finals Grand Prix Freestyle Adult Amateur Champion, Janne Rumbough of Palm Beach, Fla. (Region 3). The crowd went wild and clapped to the beat of Rumbough’s Mary Poppins-themed music as her gray PRE gelding Junior (by Gaucho III x La Nina by Brioso VI) seemed to relish the electric atmosphere of Alltech Arena, earning a winning score of 70.708% over fellow Region 3 competitor Aileen Daly (Aiken, S.C.) who rode her Hanoverian gelding Windsong (Weltmeyer x Lara by Laurie’s Crusader) to second place with 65.250%. During the awards ceremony and subsequent press conference, Rumbough was emotional about her win. “I’m just speechless. I am so honored to be the first one to have my name on this beautiful trophy, and to finally win a championship title like this,” she explained. Rumbough also finished as Reserve Champion in the Grand Prix Adult Amateur division yesterday, as well as at the inaugural Finals in 2013. “It gives me chills to talk about it, I’m so grateful and honored. This has been a goal of mine for years, and now I can check it off the bucket list. But I still want to come back next year and win the Grand Prix test too!”

Starting off the day were competitors showing off their Second Level Freestyles, and in the Adult Amateur division, crowd favorite and hometown girl Cariann Wlosinski (Lexington, Ky., Region 2) earned the unanimous win with 70.567%. A full-time middle school teacher who “teaches by day and rides by night,” Wlosinski attended the inaugural Finals last November and was “determined to try to get back here this year.” She danced to a Beatles medley aboard her own Oldenburg mare Rhiannon (by Rousseau), a horse she bred and raised herself. “I had her dam, so I was there when she was born. We’ve been together six years now,” said Wlosinski. “She loves it here in the Alltech Arena because she loves to come in here and have the ring to herself. We had a great ride, and it was awesome to have all my friends and family here to cheer me on.” Finishing second was Camilla Van Liew (Charleston, S.C., qualified in Region 1) riding her Dutch Warmblood Dartesch (Special D x Sedesch by Jazz) with 68.322%. As a small animal veterinarian, Van Liew explained she often has to make time to ride during pre-dawn hours before going to work, but her efforts paid off today. “I was a little worried about riding in the Alltech today since it’s only the fourth time we’ve ever ridden a freestyle and my horse is young,” she said of her six-year-old gelding, whose sire is also competing at the Finals. “But he really kept it together, I was awfully proud of him. He’s such a good guy, and it’s been a dream to be here.”

Perhaps no competitor had more fun with her performance than the Second Level Open Freestyle Champion Morgan Barrows (Monroe, Wash., Region 6) riding Janice Davis’ Oldenburg gelding San Corazon. Their Billy Idol-themed freestyle was rewarded with a top score of 74.678%. “I had a blast! I want to go out there again,” said Barrows, who has been partnered with her mount for less than a year. “I originally saw him at a friend’s farm in Sweden when he was three. Later when he came up for sale, I knew we had to get him. It’s been fun to bring him up, and the longer I ride him the more fun he gets. He’s a great horse and I’m excited to see where he’s going to go.” Delighted to also be accepting national honors with a score 72.022% was Reserve Champion Claudia Novick riding her Friesian gelding Marco von Laar (by Onne 376 x Wydana von Laar by Sjaard 320). This pair returned to Kentucky after attending the 2013 Finals, where they went home to Gastonia, N.C. (Region 1) as Reserve Champions in the First Level Adult Amateur Freestyle. “The cold weather actually helps us!,” Novick laughed. “My horse is such a character. He was formerly a driving horse, so he had to change his body and mindset from pulling to pushing. I think this year he’s really ‘gotten it.'”

Retired small animal veterinarian Jeanne Van Nuys-Hitt of Harrisburg, Pa. (Region 8) rode her Oldenburg gelding Sirtaki to victory in the Intermediate I Adult Amateur Championship, where their Enya-themed performance earned a top score of 68.792%. “I am thrilled. You put a lot of time, money, and blood, sweat and tears into getting here, so any time you end up on top of a great field of riders, it’s the ultimate thrill,” said Van Nuys-Hitt. Finishing just a point behind the leader to earn their second Reserve Championship of the weekend on a score of 67.792% was Lauren Thornlow of Monroe, Wash. (Region 6) and her Oldenburg gelding Royal Konig (by Rubin Royale), a horse which Thornlow has had since he was just three years old and has now become her first FEI-level mount. “It’s been a great journey to bring him along,” Thornlow noted. “He’s a great guy with a terrific personality, and his favorite thing to do is to go out there and show off.”

Region 2 riders claimed top placings in the afternoon’s Third Level Open Freestyle Championship. Earning the unanimous win under all three judges was Angela Jackson of Henderson, Ky. riding Theresa Schnell’s impressive Oldenburg stallion Hemmingway (Hofrat x Alsonara by Archipel) with 73.878%. “It’s so beautiful in there, people are cheering, and I just had a fantastic time,” said Jackson of her Pirates of the Caribbean-themed freestyle performance. “My horse was energetic and right with me every step of the way. He’s had a fantastic year already, and to top it off by being champion here is just great.” Finishing in the reserve spot were Laurie Moore of Ada, Mich. and Christine Miller’s Holsteiner gelding Lyric PT, who were rewarded with 71.367% for their Beatles-themed musical performance. “I had a super warm-up getting him nice and forward, and we went in the arena and he was just free and happy,” said Moore. “The music is fun and up-tempo, and it suits him perfectly.”

Former jumper rider Anna Jaffe of Concord, Mass. (Region 8) has made a successful switch to the dressage ring as she rode Jane Karol’s Westfalen gelding Moonshine (by Lamerto H) to victory in the Fourth Level Adult Amateur Freestyle Championship on a score of 68.822%. “This is the first horse I’ve ever done dressage on, and it’s been an extraordinary opportunity to learn from him,” explained Jaffe. “We don’t have any indoor shows like this in New England, and my horse is naturally very spooky. But he loved the Alltech Arena! This was the best show of his life, and I’m so happy to be here.” Region 6’s Jacquelyn McMaster of Sherwood, Ore. drew confidence from her Dutch Warmblood gelding Paviano to overcome her show nerves and ride for a score of 68.156%. “I was quite nervous, but about two minutes before show time he felt so good,” she said. “So I just took a deep breath and let it all sink in, and it was just amazing being in there in that atmosphere. It ended up being a lot of fun.”

In the outdoor championship rings, competition was fierce across all levels. Topping a huge field of 35 competitors in the First Level Adult Amateur division was Julie McCrady of Raymore, Mo. (Region 4) riding her five-year-old Remanessa. Even though the pair had to wait all day to compete as they were scheduled last to go in the class, their patience paid off as they earned the winning score of 71.290%. Making the win even more meaningful was the fact that McCrady bred the Hanoverian mare (Rousseau x Leonessa by Louis Heslegard) with her husband, and they were making a return trip to the Finals after competing at Training and First Level last year. “I think the people are so friendly here, everyone bends over backwards to help you. I encouraged one of my friends to come here to ride in the open show just so she could be part of the experience,” McCrady said. “It’s just been wonderful, and so special to have bred Remanessa ourselves. She was a handful on the ground until we started her under saddle where she seemed to find her purpose in life. Now she’s a great mare.” Another competitor who was delighted to find success at the Finals was Viki Meyers of Russellville, Ark. (Region 9) who rode her Hanoverian gelding Gold Flash (by Gold Luck) to the Reserve Championship with 70.753%. “I had the time of my life today. Each of my rides has gotten a little bit better, and I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here,” said Meyers. “We don’t have any licensed dressage shows in Arkansas, so I have to travel extensively just to train and compete. This was my first year to even go to Regionals, and now I find myself at the Finals and I’m just amazed. My friends drove all the way to Kentucky just to watch me compete in one test! I feel really special to be here, and it may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience but I do hope to be back here next year.”

In the First Level Open division, Gwyneth McPherson will now make the 20-hour drive home to New Gloucester, Maine (Region 8) with a Championship title in hand after guiding Pineland Farms Inc.’s five-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Eskandar (Zhivago x Ostara by Caritas) to victory with 75.538%. McPherson was impressed with how her mount (which she found in 2012 as a young stallion in Belgium) handled the conditions. “I was delighted with my ride,” she said. “He can be spooky but even with the wind and cold, he stuck with me for the whole test.” Yesterday’s Training Level Champions Patricia Becker from Wadsworth, Ill. (qualified in Region 2) and Joan Pecora’s five-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Edward (by United) moved up to First Level today and claimed Reserve honors (73.333%). “He has such a super temperament, and he couldn’t have been better,” she noted.

Rachael Hicks of Prospect, Ky. (Region 2) has already had a successful Finals with both a Championship and Reserve title to her credit for Fourth Level, but today she added yet another honor to her resume by earning a decisive victory in the Third Level Adult Amateur division with 70.342% aboard her lovely Rheinlander stallion Don Cartier (Don Schufro x Carmina by Cartier). “It was a little chilly out there today,” laughed Hicks. “He was a bit tired today so I decided not to push for a ’10’, but it was steady and consistent test and he gave me a great feeling throughout.” Back home in Santa Monica, Cal. (Region 7), Christine Ekstrand is an orthopedic surgeon and the mother of seven children. But today she celebrated earning Reserve Championship honors with her Hanoverian gelding Braxxton (Baroncelli x Rosana by Rotspon) on a score of 67.479% “He was tired from the trip at first, but he perked right up and I was really pleased with how he did today,” Ekstrand said of her mount.

Melissa Beardsley’s Hanoverian gelding Louis Vuitton lived up to his name in giving Shauntel Bryant of Seattle, Wash. a fashionable ride in the Stonelea Arena which was good enough to ultimately win the Fourth Level Open Championship on a score of 69.417%. “He’s an ‘on’ or ‘off’ kind of horse, but he was really ‘on’ today and gave it his all,” noted Bryant. “It was the kind of ride where you just say to yourself, ‘this is lovely’. He definitely woke up on the right side of the stall today, and the brisk weather actually works to his advantage. I almost didn’t bring him to the Finals because he’s not a super consistent horse, but now I’m glad I did because he pulled it off!” Debbie Hill of Gurley, Ala. (qualified in Region 2) earned her second Reserve Championship title in as many days with Boccaccio IOF (Hanoverian gelding [Bugatti Hilltop x Roxette by Rubinstein], owned by Marchella Richardson) with 69.167%. “Bo was ready to go again today,” Hill said. “He always aims to please and works hard. He put in a great effort out there and of course I was thrilled. There’s so many fantastic horses and riders here which makes for great company and competition, so I’m just glad to be a part of it and I’ve really enjoyed myself.”

Kentucky women seemed to claim home field advantage as they swept the top spots in the evening’s Intermediate I Open Freestyle Championship. Angela Jackson earned her second national title of the day, this time aboard Kerrin Dunn’s lovely Dutch Warmblood Allure S. Even though the mare wasn’t feeling quite like her normal self on Thursday, when she entered the arena as the first combination down centerline for the class, “she rebounded and put her game face on today,” said Jackson. “The feeling you get from her in the arena is just amazing. The crowd was really into it, and she loved it. I just love a good mare.” Linda Strine from nearby Versailles, Ky. also had high praise for her mount, Julie Roche’s Friesian mare Inke FCF (Erik x Nynke Marije by Nikolaas 310) who improved upon a fourth-place finish in this division at last year’s Finals to earn tonight’s Reserve Championship with 67.292%. “The best horses I’ve had have been mares,” said Strine. “She was fired up – she’s very expressive but also so reliable. I can always count on her, and she knew she was there to show off.”

It may have taken North Forks Cardi four days to travel across the country from Battle Ground, Wash. (Region 6) to attend the Finals with owner/rider Jessica Wisdom, but it only took a matter of minutes for the charismatic Welsh Cob stallion to become the fan favorite on his way to winning the finale class of the night, the Grand Prix Open Freestyle Championship. “Freestyle is where he really shines – he hears that music and he becomes a big horse. Nobody told him that he’s only 14.3 hands!” said Wisdom. “All he has to do is go out there and be the rock star that he knows he is. And you saw what happens! He has an ego the size of Texas. He seemingly becomes three hands taller and says, ‘watch this.’” The Reserve title went to Region 4’s Emily Miles of La Cygne, Kan. (69.833%), who today found success aboard her Hanoverian gelding Weltdorff, a horse she’s had since he was a youngster and has risen up to the Grand Prix level together. “It’s always seemed that he’s played the role of bridesmaid to my other horse WakeUp, so I’m happy for him to earn this,” said Miles. “I have to admit I don’t particularly like my music, but I trusted my freestyle designer who insisted that it works for my horse. Obviously she was right! The best moment was coming down centerline as we did 25 one-tempis one-handed and the crowd started clapping. And turns out my husband was watching our ride from home on the USEF Network! So it’s been a really fun night.”

The US Dressage Finals will conclude on Sunday as the last group of 10 champions for 2014 are crowned. Follow the action through updates on the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, as well as watch live online streaming of Sunday’s classes from the Alltech Arena on the popular USEF Network (http://www.usefnetwork.com).

To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, review entry lists, purchase tickets to special events, and sign up to receive news and updates, visit the official event website at http://www.usdressagefinals.com.

Source: Yellow Horse Marketing for the US Dressage Finals

Competitions, Dressage

US Dressage Finals Off to Impressive Start in Lexington

Leave a comment

Photos: Bob Tarr.

Exciting head-to-head dressage competition got underway on Thursday at the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® in Lexington, KY, November 6-9, 2014. Nearly four hundred Adult Amateur and Open riders from Training Level to Grand Prix have come to the Kentucky Horse Park in their quests for national championship honors, and many of them made their final preparations today by competing in one of the multitude of open and warm-up USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass classes.

With an increase of more than 100 entries from last year, event organizers including manager Lloyd Landkamer have worked overtime in an effort to ensure a truly special competition experience for exhibitors who have come to Lexington from across the country. “The first day has gone great,” said Landkamer. “We learned so much from last year’s show, and were able to make improvements based on feedback we received from competitors to make this event even better. I think everyone went home last year having had such a positive experience at the inaugural Finals, and this directly contributed to the impressive increase in our entry numbers. It makes for a tight schedule, but the whole organizing team has come together to make it happen.”

Kicking off today’s competition was Pam Heglund aboard her Westfalen mare Letizia, who were the very first pair to canter down centerline in the Alltech Arena. Their solid performance was ultimately good enough to earn second place in their Open/AA Prix St. Georges warm-up class. Traveling from Ada, Mich. for her first Finals, Heglund was overwhelmed with her experience so far. “I’m almost speechless. I’m just so honored to be here and to be able to share this with my family and friends,” said Heglund. “They’ve done such an incredible job with the setup and the organization of the show, the Alltech Arena is so beautiful yet inviting for the horses, and the footing is amazing. I was super excited to march in the ring first! We had a clean test which was as smooth as it could be. It was a great way to start, and I was so happy and proud of my horse.” Heglund and Letizia now look forward to returning to the Alltech Arena on Saturday afternoon for the Fourth Level Adult Amateur Freestyle Championship.

WilleThrilled to be back at the US Dressage Finals for the second year in a row is Amanda Wille of Richmond, Va. with her pinto Irish Warmblood gelding Mason. In 2013, this eye-catching pair competed at the inaugural Finals at First Level and they now return to take on the competition in the Second Level Adult Amateur Championship. “I was delighted to come back because the facility and the staff are great, and the best of the best in the nation are here. It’s such a huge accomplishment to make it, and so far it’s just as awesome as it was last year,” explained Wille. She and Mason won their warm-up class today, topping the field in the Second Level Test 3 Open/AA in the outdoor Murphy Ring. In addition to tomorrow’s Championship ride, they have also entered two Third Level open classes in the USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass portion of the competition in order to earn additional experience in a championship atmosphere. “The outdoor arenas are beautiful, the footing is phenomenal out there and they have a great championship feel. There’s nothing better than going across the diagonal in medium trot and seeing your name on the scoreboard. It’s all a great experience and you’re competing with the best, so why not take advantage as much ring time as possible.”

Wrapping up a busy first day, exhibitors enjoyed a Competitor Welcome Party and Trade Fair Kick-Off on the concourse of the Alltech Arena. Competition resumes Friday at 8:00am ET as the first of the Finals championship classes get underway. Follow the action through updates on the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, as well as watch live online streaming on the popular USEF Network (http://www.usefnetwork.com).

To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, review entry lists, purchase tickets to special events, and sign up to receive news and updates, visit the official event website at http://www.usdressagefinals.com.

Source: Yellow Horse Marketing for the US Dressage Finals

Dressage, USDF

Competitors Gather at Kentucky Horse Park for This Week’s US Dressage Finals

Leave a comment

Sunny skies, rolling green fields, and the iconic four-board fences of the Kentucky Horse Park welcome the droves of horse vans arriving in Lexington, Ky. for this week’s US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, a unique national head-to-head competition showcasing riders and horses competing for top honors at all dressage levels from Training to Grand Prix as well as musical freestyles.

This year’s competitor roster includes over 400 entries for the US Dressage Finals and USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass open show, reflecting an increase of more than 100 entries from last year’s inaugural event. Over four exciting days of competition to be held November 6-9, 2014, riders representing all nine United States Dressage Federation (USDF) regions and from 38 states across the country (and the District of Columbia) will gather in the Horse Capital of the World, including from the West Coast states of Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as up and down the eastern seaboard from Maine to south Florida.

For this second annual Finals, championship offerings have been expanded to 30 divisions, offering exhibitors from a variety of backgrounds and experience levels (including adult amateurs, professionals, and High Performance riders) a chance to earn national honors, fantastic prizes, and more than $50,000 in prize money. From the awe-inspiring atmosphere of the Alltech Arena to the picturesque outdoor Stonelea and Claiborne arenas with state-of-the-art synthetic footing, dressage competition will be held across six rings, including four rings of non-stop Championship action.

In the pre-dawn hours of last Saturday, Barbi Breen-Gurley of Los Osos, Cal. loaded her Dutch Warmblood Vindicator onto a commercial van full of fellow California horses for their 55-hour non-stop journey across the country to the Bluegrass Region. Looking fresh and fit upon his arrival on Monday, the gelding seemed ready to take on 20 other competitors in the Open Grand Prix Championship class later this week. Having attended the inaugural edition of the Finals last November (where the pair finished sixth in the Intermediaire I division), Breen-Gurley was well aware of the long and expensive trip they faced in returning to Kentucky. But there was never a doubt that, given the opportunity, she would be back.

“I was so proud of him last year, and even though this is his first year at Grand Prix, I wanted to come back, do our best, and be able to say that we did this,” Breen-Gurley explained. “My amazing husband Geof supports me all the way, my kids are so proud, and I truly believe that you have to seize an opportunity like this when it presents itself. I knew what we were in for coming all this way, but I am still so grateful to be here. So often I see people give up on their dreams for many different reasons, but I refuse to, even if it means traveling across the country to pursue them.

“I also think it’s great to see even more people from the western states this year,” she concluded. “We had a wonderful time last year, and I’m happy to see others take advantage of this. It’s incredible to be competing with such great people from all over the country who are so committed to the sport. It makes for such a great energy here, and it’s particularly inspiring and exciting for me.”

The US Dressage Finals get started on Thursday, November 6 with USDF Dressage in the Bluegrass open classes, followed by a Competitor Welcome Party at the Alltech Arena. Championship classes kick off on Friday, with special evening performances and activities both Friday and Saturday to entertain competitors and spectators alike. For a truly unforgettable championship experience, limited VIP seating in the Alltech Arena is still available for purchase (to learn more, click here). For those dressage fans unable to attend the Finals in person, the popular USEF Network will feature live online streaming of select classes from the Alltech Arena on their website: http://www.usefnetwork.com.

To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, review entry lists, purchase tickets to special events, and sign up to receive news and updates, visit the official event website at http://www.usdressagefinals.com.

Source: Yellow Horse Marketing for the US Dressage Finals

Dressage, USDF, USEF

2015 USEF Dressage Tests Published

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky. – The 2015 United States Equestrian Federation Dressage Tests have been published on USEF.org. The 2015 Tests will be effective December 1, 2014 through November 30, 2018.

In addition to the 2015 USEF Dressage Test booklet, the USEF has collaborated with the United States Dressage Federation to produce the On the Levels app, which provides examples of the new Introductory through Fourth level dressage tests with commentary from top U.S. trainers and judges, with segments geared toward improving difficult movements at each level. The mobile website will feature 31 engaging videos to help riders understand the requirements for tests within each level, including 18 videos of riders performing each test and 13 supplementary test tip videos. The videos will include narration from top athletes, judges, and trainers, including Kathy Connelly, Jan Ebeling, Hilda Gurney, Steffen Peters, and Jessica Jo “JJ” Tate, each bringing his/her own unique perspective, providing the viewer with a variety of approaches. The launch of the On the Levels app will be announced next week.

To view the 2015 USEF Dressage Tests, visit: https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/breedsdisciplines/discipline/alldressage/2015dressageTests.aspx.

To order the 2015 Dressage Test Booklet, visit: https://www.usef.org/documents/disciplines/dressage/DressageBookletOrderForm.pdf.

To view the 2015 USDF Tests, visit: http://www.usdf.org/competitions/competitors/tests.asp.

In addition to the new USEF and USDF Dressage Tests, all FEI Tests have minor updates in the wording of the Collective Marks as well as changes to the FEI Children, FEI Intermediate A, and FEI Intermediate B Tests. These tests become effective January 1, 2015, and can be found here: http://fei.org/fei/your-role/organisers/dressage/tests.

Competitions, Dressage

USDF Reports Dramatic Increase in Nominations for 2014 US Dressage Finals

Leave a comment

After years of debate and development, last fall’s inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan® were a resounding success. Since then, enthusiasm has continued to spread across the country for this year’s Finals which will return to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, November 6-9, 2014, and recent nomination figures as reported by the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) have far exceeded expectations.

The nomination phase is the second step of the eligibility process for the Finals. Nominations are submitted by competitors who have attended a Great American Insurance Group/USDF Regional Championship, received the necessary placing and/or score necessary for qualification, and have expressed an interest in coming to the Finals in Lexington. To date, five of nine USDF regions have held their Regional Championship competitions and the subsequent nomination periods have closed – and the results are astonishing. All five regions (4, 5, 6, 7, and 8) show impressive increases in nominations submitted by competitors, even though these areas represent some of the farthest distances required for travel to Kentucky. Of these, two regions (4 and 6) have well over 100% increase; and perhaps most dramatic of all, Region 7 has a 214% increase in nominations filed.

“To say that I’m delighted with this update would be an understatement,” said USDF President George Williams. “I realize that perhaps some people chose to stay home last year to see how things went with the Finals. Then they saw and heard what a spectacular event it was, and now they want to try it for themselves. The organizing committee is already making plans to welcome many more competitors than last year, including adding extra rings. We’re so appreciative of all the ongoing support from USDF members in helping make this event such a success!”

One of the new faces who will be attending this year’s Finals is Jessica Iorio of Foxboro, Mass., who recently rode Roulette to win both the First and Second Level Adult Amateur Championships at Region 8. A life-long eventer, Iorio purchased her Holsteiner/Hanoverian-cross three years ago as an event horse, but an unfortunate injury forced a sudden alteration in the mare’s career. “It was a big change for both of us,” said Iorio. “We just started our new dressage career together last year, and this is definitely Roulette’s calling! I will always be an eventer at heart, but she has made dressage so much more fun for me than I would have thought. She’s been fabulous to bring along and now we’re so excited to come to Kentucky.”

No stranger to top competition, Iorio has evented to the FEI 3* level and has attended the American Eventing Championships in the past, but until recently the US Dressage Finals weren’t really on her radar. After a friend encouraged her to declare and then successfully competing at Region 8, Iorio suddenly found herself qualified to attend a national championship in a brand new discipline. “This is a whole new world for us,” laughed Iorio, who is also the full-time mother of three boys. “It will be a 15-hour drive and the distance was certainly a consideration, but my family is so supportive of my attending and who knows when I might get a chance to do something like this again. I’ve ridden to the top of eventing sport and now my goal is to get to the top of dressage sport. So we’re doing this! I’m excited to be able to see and experience it, and I know once we get there it will be great.”

Cyndi Jackson of Glendale, Ariz. has an even more impressive trek ahead of her to get to Lexington, but even the 35-hour haul can’t dampen her enthusiasm to attend her first Finals. During the Great American/USDF Region 5 Championships, Jackson rode Ann Damiano’s Hanoverian gelding Don Angelo to win the Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I Open titles. After missing a chance to attend last year’s Finals due to welcoming a new child to her family, Jackson was not going to pass up another opportunity to ride in Kentucky. “I heard how, even though no one was entirely sure what to expect last year, the event had ended up going so well and that everyone loved it,” said Jackson. “So Don Angelo’s owner and I decided that we definitely wanted to represent the West Coast this year if given the opportunity.”

Jackson has competed at the High Performance level as well as the USEF Festival of Champions in Gladstone, N.J., but believes that the US Dressage Finals present a special opportunity for all riders to come together and compete on a national championship stage. “I always thought that after Regionals it would be nice to see all the champions come together to compete in an event like this at the national level, especially for adult amateurs,” Jackson explained, who will be traveling to Lexington with her mother Kay Lorenzen, who will also compete there after winning top honors in the Region 5 Fourth Level Adult Amateur division. “So my whole family will be coming. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I said to everyone, ‘let’s do it!'”

Competitors in several areas of the country have four final opportunities to qualify and/or nominate for the Finals: the Great American/USDF Region 1 Championship was held October 2-5 and nominations for competitors from that region will close at midnight Eastern Time on Thursday, October 9, 2014. Championships in Regions 2 and 9 will be held this weekend (October 9-12), with Region 3 closing out the qualifying calendar on October 16-19 in Florida. The closing date for final entries will be October 23, 2014.

To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, declare and nominate for the Finals, and sign up to receive news and updates, visit the official event website at www.usdressagefinals.com.

Source: Yellow Horse Marketing for the US Dressage Finals