California’s Akiko Yamazaki celebrated her success aboard “Matrix” in the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Championship on the final day of the US Dressage Finals. Photo: SusanJStickle.com.

Emotions ran high as the final six champions were crowned Sunday at the inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan in Lexington, KY. Riders who traveled to the Kentucky Horse Park from coast to coast celebrated their championship experience with memorable rides and victory laps while cheered on by friends and family.

Adult Amateurs at the Prix St. Georges level were the stars of the day in the Alltech Arena, and one of the riders who traveled the farthest to compete was rewarded with a national title. Akiko Yamazaki of Woodside, CA (Region 7) is widely known as the owner of U.S. Dressage Team horses “Ravel” and “Legolas” for Steffen Peters, but this weekend was her turn to be in the saddle. Yamazaki became the first recipient of the Janine Westmoreland Malone Perpetual Trophy for winning the Prix St. Georges Adult Amateur Championship with a score of 67.895% earned aboard her Danish Warmblood gelding “Matrix”, a horse she successfully returned to competition after being out of action for two years due to injury. “Here is a horse I thought at one point I might have to retire,” she said. “But he rose to the occasion, and I was really happy with how my ride went today.” Attending the Finals with her entire family, Yamazaki was pleased with her experience. “I think this show exceeded all of my expectations, right from the get-go,” she noted. “All the information was provided in such a timely and organized manner, so I already felt well taken care of before I even arrived. And then once I was here, everything ran so smoothly and was just great. Congratulations to the show organizers – I think this has exceeded everyone’s expectations and I’ll be returning home and spreading the word in California that we have to come back en masse.”

Journeying to the Finals from the opposite corner of the country, Krista Nordgren of South Portland, ME (Region 8) earned the Reserve Championship with “Schando”, her 17-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (by Schwadroneur) on a score of 66.228% “I was so proud of my horse – I had tears in my eyes from happiness when cantering down centerline for my final salute,” said Nordgren, who also had loved ones in attendance to cheer her on, including her five-year-old son. “There’s a certain magic to this place,” she explained with emotion in her voice. “The thrill of competing on this stage was a strong pull for me to come all this way, and it exceeded my wildest dreams. I loved the fact that here, the amateur competitor has been embraced; we’ve never had this sort of stage for us other than our Regional Championships. We’ve all been treated like true champions just for making it here to the Finals, and because of that there’s a sense of pride and tremendous camaraderie.”

Building upon the success she found in yesterday’s Fourth Level Open Championship, Heather McCarthy (Prairie Grove, IL, Region 2) claimed another victory in today’s Prix St. Georges Open Championship, once again aboard Dr. Marilyn Johnson and John McGuire’s elegant Oldenburg mare “Saphira” (Florencio x Roxina by Chairman). McCarthy was thrilled with her mount’s performance, which earned a top score of 69.868%. “I had a wonderful ride. I was concerned that I might not have enough horse left today because I thought she gave me everything yesterday, but she went right out there and did her job,” said McCarthy. “I’m on cloud nine. I don’t think I could have asked for anything more than I’ve achieved here this weekend. It’s been a wonderful experience.” Finishing second by only two-tenths of a point with an overall score of 69.605% was Heather Mason of Tewksbury, NJ (qualified in Region 8) and her Dutch Warmblood gelding “Zar” (Iroko x Inga by Actueel, bred in the U.S. by Carol Collyer). Mason and “Zar” conclude their championship week with top-two finishes in each of the three small tour championship classes they contested during the Finals (Reserve Intermediate I Open Champion, Intermediate I Freestyle Champion, and Reserve Prix St. Georges Open Champion). “I was thrilled with him,” Mason said of her partner. “He’s been very brave, just super for me all week, and it’s been a great show all around.”

In the largest division of these inaugural finals, 27 adult amateur riders fought for bragging rights at Training Level under bright morning sun in the Murphy Ring. Ultimately emerging victorious (and claiming her second championship title of the weekend) was Lucy Tidd of Germantown, MD (Region 1) and her four-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding “Ellert HB” with a score of 73.200%. “I was afraid my horse might be a little tired, but he was great, super focused, and he seemed to really enjoy himself,” said Tidd, who was thrilled with her unexpected success at the Finals. “It’s surreal,” she said. “I was just hoping to place – never in a million years did I anticipate doing so well.” Finishing in Reserve (71.333%) was another talented four-year-old, the U.S.-bred RPSI mare “DeLovely” (Don Principe x Sky Spirit by Johns Line, bred and owned by Janet Stone), ridden by Lisa Seegar Brown of Travelers Rest, SC (Region 3).

Returning to the Alltech Arena after narrowly missing the Second Level Freestyle title yesterday, Fie Andersen of Hamilton, MA (Region 8) would not be denied top honors today in the Second Level Open Championship. Once again aboard her Oldenburg stallion “Rocazino” (Rosentanz x Escarda by Silvio I), Andersen earned the win with a score of 74.921%. “I’m a little emotional right now,” she said. “My horse is amazing! He was tired but gave me everything he had. It’s been such an amazing experience to come here and compete head-to-head with riders from around the country, and I think it’s great preparation for bigger and better things for us.” Saturday’s First Level Open Champions Debbie Hill of Gurley, AL (Region 3) with “Boccaccio IOF” (Hanoverian gelding [Bugatti Hilltop x Roxette by Rubinstein I], bred in the U.S. by Hilltop Farm, Inc. and owned by Marchella Richardson) easily moved up a level today to earn a score of 73.968% and earn the Reserve Championship trophy in the Second Level Open division.

Wrapping up the day in both the indoor Alltech Arena and outdoor rings were the Intermediate II Championship classes for adult amateur and open riders. Wellington, FL’s Kristy Truebenbach Lund (Region 3) topped the field in the adult amateur division with 61.447% aboard her flashy chestnut “Reel Adventure” (Hanoverian gelding [Rotspon x Lanthess by Lanthan], owned by Blue Marlin Farms, Inc.). Ironically, the pair earned their win by returning to the same Stonelea Arena where seven years ago her then five-year-old jumped out of the ring during the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championships. “I’m a true believer in bringing them up through the levels yourself,” said Truebenbach Lund. “I think it gives you such a true partnership, and I’m very proud that I’ve trained him and we’ve come this far together.” Less than a point behind was Region 1’s Alexa Briscoe of Poolesville, MD riding her own Bavarian gelding “Wildfeuer” (Welt As x Investa by Inschallah X, bred in the U.S. by Monika Levay) with 61.228% for the Reserve Championship.

Another Region 3 competitor, Laura Graves of Geneva, FL, rode her own Dutch Warmblood gelding “Verdades” to her first national title in the Intermediate II Open Championship on a strong score of 71.140% from FEI judges Gary Rockwell, Sandra Hotz, and Charlotte Bredahl over second-place finisher Heather Mason with her 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding “Warsteiner” (Riverman-ISF x Welona by Roemer) who scored 69.035%. “We had a good go today, thanks to a little bit of luck and a whole lot of practice. I’m so proud of my horse,” said Graves. “We knew we’d have tough competition here, and that’s why we came. We were really looking forward to it, and are so glad to finally have a national championship like this to look forward to.” When asked if she would return next year, Graves replied without hesitation. “Oh yeah,” she said emphatically. “If we get invited, we’ll be here.”

Final results, photo galleries, and news archives from the inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan are 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).

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer M. Keeler, Yellow Horse Marketing, jennifer@yellowhorsemarketing.com

Photo by Jennifer Munson Photography.

NOVEMBER 8, 2013 – For the first time in almost 30 years, national titles for adult amateur and open dressage riders from Training Level to Grand Prix were presented today at the inaugural US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. A full day of intense competition extended into a festive evening as special celebrations were held to mark this historic event.

During the first set of awards ceremonies at midday, Emily Wagner (La Cygne, KS, qualified in Region 2) thoroughly enjoyed her victory lap around the Alltech Arena after topping 20 other competitors in the Intermediate I Open Championship. Wagner was aboard her longtime partner and U.S.‐bred American Warmblood stallion “WakeUp” (Wagnis x Maiden Montreal by Macho, bred by Beverly McLean Tetrick/Red Mare Farm) to earn a winning score of 72.412%. “It was a thrill to ride in that ring today,” Wagner said. “This venue is just amazing for this event.” Just a month ago Wagner and “WakeUp” were at the Kentucky Horse Park for the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions presented by the Dutta Corp., where they placed third overall in the Intermediaire I division. Even as she debated making another 10‐hour trip to Lexington, Wagner knew she had to come. “I wanted to support it, and I think everyone should want to be here,” she explained. “The Regional Championships have always been our biggest event of the year, but now with the Finals I think it’s fun to be able to showcase all the hard work that everyone’s done throughout the year and then bring it together for a national event; I think that’s important for the sport.”

Perhaps no one had more success than Heather Mason on this first day of championship action at the Finals. In the morning, Mason rode her own eight‐year‐old Dutch Warmblood gelding “Zar” (Iroko x Inga by Actueel, bred in the U.S. by Carol Collyer) to the Intermediate I Open Reserve Championship with 70.219%. Under the brilliant afternoon sun in the Stonelea Arena, Mason not only topped a deep field to win the Third Level Open Championship aboard Lori Racioppo’s Hanoverian gelding “Romantico SF” (Romancero H x Wesermelodie by Wenzel I, bred in Germany) on a score of 72.821%, but also earned Reserve Championship honors in the same class by earning 70.299% with “Lincoln” (eight‐year‐old Oldenburg gelding owned by Meredith Whaley). Mason, of Tewksbury, NJ (qualified Region 8) has been looking forward to attending the Finals for a long time, and today’s wins added to her excitement. “I rode in the then‐American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) ‘national championships’ in 1984 in Kansas City and I’ve been waiting for them to come back ever since,” Mason said. “I think the organizers here have done an excellent job making this feel like a national championship ‐ it feels like a really big deal to be here. Of course I’m thrilled to win but most of all I’m just really happy with how my horses have gone today.”

Debbie Hill brought six horses to the Finals from Gurley, AL (Region 3), and her weekend got off to a winning start as she earned an impressive score of 76.339% to take the Training Level Open Championship with “Floretienne” (Oldenburg gelding, Florestan x Tamarinde by Jazz) owned by Leslie Waterman. Region 2’s Jennifer Conour of Carmel, IN rode Phoebe Crane’s Dutch Warmblood mare “Daisy Van Wittenstein P” (Johnson x Ziggy Van Wittenstein A by Florencio) to reserve honors with 74.800%. Meanwhile in the Murphy Ring, adult amateurs competed for top honors at Second Level, with Rachael Hicks of Prospect, KY (Region 2) and her own Rhinelander stallion “Don Cartier” (Don Schufro x Carmina by Cartier) receiving the unanimous win under all three judges with a score of 72.976%. Earning 67.103% for the Reserve Championship was Region 8’s Erin Laurent of Morristown, NJ riding “Whasabi” (Oldenburg, Wonderful x Glimmer by Grundstein, bred in the U.S. by Maurine Swanson).

In the afternoon, competition in the Alltech Arena was streamed live around the world via the online USEF Network, beginning with the Intermediate I Adult Amateur Championship class. Emerging victorious was Heather Mendiburu (Wantage, NJ) who returned to the saddle after six months off (due to being pregnant with her fifth child) just in time to qualify for the Finals from Region 8. Surrounded by her family, Mendiburu was thrilled with her mount “What Happen” (Hanoverian mare [Waldstar x Gina de Ro by Gloster] owned by Mendiburu and High Point Solutions) and how she earned the win with a decisive score of 69.518%. “I came to Kentucky to see the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010, and it’s surreal to be here now showing in the same place. It’s a great honor to be here.” Sheryl Ross’s long trip home to Menlo Park, CA (Region 7) will be a happy one as she takes home the Reserve Championship on a score of 66.930% earned with her own Danish Warmblood gelding “Lancaster” (Lobster x Aleksis by Aleksander). “It’s been a long journey, literally and figuratively, to be here,” said Ross. “But it’s been a wonderful experience. I would make the trip again in a heartbeat.” Adult Amateurs also competed at Fourth Level, with less than a point separating the top two spots. Stephanie McNutt of Mechanicsville, MD (Region 1) claimed the Championship sash aboard her Oldenburg mare “Con Dia” (Contucci x Cor Dia by Cor Noir, bred in the U.S. by Hilltop Farm, Inc.) with 67.833%, while a close second (67.083%) was Patricia Fannin of Eads, TN (qualified in Region 4) with her Hanoverian partner “Roxy Royale” (Rotspon x Whisper by Werther). International rider, trainer, coach and “S” judge Kathy Connelly was the official commentator for USEF Network coverage, and she was impressed by what she saw from the Adult Amateur classes. “This is a huge accomplishment just to be here,” she noted. “We have seen some spectacular performances today, and I am very impressed with the quality of the riding.”

A huge crowd gathered at the Alltech Arena for a “Taste of the Bluegrass” dinner and evening festivities, including opening ceremonies and a special presentation by USDF President George Williams to unveil and dedicate the new Janine Westmoreland Malone Perpetual Trophy, to be presented by USDF at the US Dressage Finals for the Adult Amateur Prix St. Georges Champion. Spectators then enjoyed Grand Prix championship competition as both adult amateurs and open riders competed for the nation’s top honors in each division. Region 3 riders ruled the day in the Adult Amateur Grand Prix class as south Florida riders finished atop the leaderboard. Jennifer Huber (Wellington, FL) on her Dutch Warmblood gelding “Vito” (Jazz x Matouf by Wellington) drew first to go in the class but her score of 65.355% held up against seven other competitors, including Palm Beach’s Janne Rumbough with her gray PRE gelding “Junior” (Gaucho III x La Nina by Brioso VI) who earned 62.163% for the Reserve Championship. In the Grand Prix Open Championship, crowd favorites James Koford and “Rhett” (Dutch Warmblood gelding [R. Johnson x Madette by Hendo], owned and bred in the U.S. by Shirley McQuillan) claimed top honors with a score of 67.128%, while the Dutch Warmblood gelding “Oublette” (Amulet x Jinnardi by Expo) carried Anna Whit Watkins of Moody, TX (Region 9) to the Reserve Championship with 66.312%.

Competition resumes Saturday at 8:00am ET as ten new Finals champions will be crowned throughout the day. Follow the action through updates on the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, as well as watch live online streaming of Saturday evening freestyle competition on the popular USEF Network (www.usefnetwork.com). 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 www.usdressagefinals.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer M. Keeler, Yellow Horse Marketing, jennifer@yellowhorsemarketing.com