Tag Archives: USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals

Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo Capture USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

Photo: Charlotte Jorst and Kastel’s Nintendo.

Wayne, Ill. – Aug. 26, 2018 – Competition at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions, the USEF/Markel Young and Developing Horse Championships, and the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals at the Lamplight Equestrian Center concluded on Sunday, crowning champions in each of the day’s five divisions.

Competitors in the USEF Grand Prix Dressage National Championship returned to the ring for the Grand Prix Freestyle to ride for the championship title. Following a strong freestyle performance, it was Charlotte Jorst and her own Kastel’s Nintendo who held onto their lead and took home the overall victory.

“I thought my freestyle went great. I had such a good time; it was the first time I’ve ridden to my new music and it worked out really well. It feels incredible!” – Charlotte Jorst

Dawn White-O’Connor and Bailarino Earn Tricolor in Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Dressage National Championship

To close out Sunday’s competition, Dawn White-O’Connor on Bailarino, owned by Four Winds Farm, earned the top tricolor in the Markel/USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Dressage National Championship.

“This is my first time here [at the Markel/USEF Developing Horse National Championships] and it’s been amazing. I’m very happy with my horse today. I think it was a good group of people and there was a lot of really fun horses to watch. It was a really great experience; the facility is beautiful as well.” – Dawn White-O’Connor

Craig Stanley and Habanero CWS Earn Markel/USEF Young Horse 6-Year-Old Dressage National Championship

In the Markel/USEF Young Horse 6-Year-Old Dressage National Championship, Craig Stanley and Habanero CWS (Idocus-Caliente DG, OO Seven) maintained their top position in the division to take home the win with an overall score of 8.98.

“It’s very surreal to think that I would even have the chance to have a horse good enough to achieve this. I have a picture of [Habanero CWS] as an embryo and I actually pulled him out of the mare myself so it’s been a long journey. It’s exceeded all of my expectations.” – Craig Stanley

From International Vaulter to National Champion, Miki Yang Earns Top Honors in USEF Children Dressage National Championship

From competing as the youngest member of the U.S. Vaulting Team at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy to winning a national dressage title, Miki Yang’s had quite a successful week in the USEF Children Dressage National Championship.

“I feel really proud and grateful for everybody that helped me get here, especially my mom [Akiko Yamazaki] for supporting me. It was so fun to be able to compete with her her; it was like a dream come true.” – Miki Yang

Sophia Schults Wins Gold at USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final 14-18 Championship

Youth riders battled it out in the arena for the title of national champion in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final 14-18 Championship. Following the competitive class, it was Sophia Schults of St. Joseph, Michigan riding Samour M who took home the gold medal and was named the new national champion.

“For me, it’s a huge honor to be here. I’m grateful. It’s the second time I’ve been able to do this competition and it turned out super well this year. To help prepare I have taken a lot of lunge lessons. I feel like those have really benefited how I sit and how I’m able to control the horse without just using my hands and my legs.” – Sophia Schults

For more information about the Lamplight Equestrian Center, click here.

Allen and Hopkins Take 2016 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final Titles

Averi Allen, the 13 & Under Champion, riding Celtic Grace (SusanJStickle.com)

Wayne, Ill. – An elite group of young dressage athletes competed for championship honors in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals on Sunday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Judges examined the riders’ equitation skills by taking them through a series of flat and pattern work. Averi Allen claimed top honors in the 13 & Under division, while Allison Hopkins earned the National title in the 14-18 division.

13 & Under Division

Allen (Pleasant Hill, Mo.), trained by Johnny Allen, bested a field of 11 competitors in the 13 & Under division to earn the Gold medal. Catch riding Bobbi Wojtowicz’s 2003 Friesian Sport Horse mare for only two-and-a-half weeks, Allen exhibited impressionable equitation skills for a score of 83.000%.

“I thought I did pretty well. The warm-up class felt easy with my horse. I think that me sitting up tall and deep and being confident stood out to the judges. She’s very good to work with. She keeps her head down and is light,” said Allen.

Only knowing her pony, Here-be Seren Gwyn, since December, Ella Angelo (Kalamazoo, Mich.) and Martha Stover’s Welsh Cob Pony mare earned the Silver medal with a score of 82.000%. Since Here-be Seren Gwyn is transitioning from hunters to dressage, Angelo and her trainer Andrea Landis worked on patterns, hill work, and conditioning to prepare for the competition, which paid off for Angelo.

“I thought my pattern was pretty good. Going down the lengthening, it was really hard to get her to bend to the left after she did the lengthening,” said Angelo of her test. “I liked the competition a lot; everyone was really nice here and made things fun. Everything was well organized, the grounds were kept clean, and everything was thought out,” added Angelo.

Lucienne Bacon (Atherton, Calif.), who trains with Hillary Martin, earned the Bronze medal riding Humble Hazel for a score of 78.000%. Karen Lee loaned the Quarter Horse mare to Bacon for the competition. For only riding the mare eight times prior to entering the arena, Bacon relied on her training for a great test.

14-18 Division

Hopkins (Dallas, Texas), trained by Yvonne Kusserow, painted a lovely picture while riding Royal Falcon. The judges rewarded her excellent display of equitation throughout the flat and pattern work with a score of 87.00%. Hopkins was loaned Michael Mayes’ 2005 German Sport Horse gelding for the competition season and made her time with him worthwhile by winning the Gold medal.

“He tends to get a little bit nervous in the ring so I could feel him getting a little bit hot, but once we started the pattern he settled down a little bit,” Hopkins explained. He realized it wasn’t as hard as he thought it was going to be; in a big ring he expects a lot of difficult movements. He felt like he was really on my aids and listening to me. I was really pleased with how he behaved.”

Madison Peer (Overland Park, Kan.) rode her own Stella Luna to the Silver medal. She and the 2007 Friesian mare had a smooth performance in the class to receive a score of 85.000%. Peer, trained by Emily Miles and Jana Wagner, demonstrated a great relationship with Stella Luna, her partner of six years, as they performed in the competition ring.

“I was worried about my pattern I didn’t think it was great so I was worried that was totally the end of it. It could have been better. I was almost unprepared thinking, ‘This is First Level, this is easy,’ so I was a little off my game a bit, but she was listening.”

Jenna Upchurch (Chesterfield, Mo.) continued with her success at the Lamplight Equestrian Center, having won the AGCO/USEF Junior Dressage National Championship on Saturday. With her own Greystoke, Upchurch displayed her solid dressage form to receive the Bronze medal with a score of 82.000%. Having started in the hunter/jumper world, Upchurch felt like her hard work with trainer Martin Kuhn was validated by the results of Sunday’s competition with the 2005 Oldenburg gelding.

Find out more information about the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final.

From the USEF Communications Department

Barton and Dawson Claim 2015 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Final Titles

Julia Lee Barton, 2015 13 & Under Champion (SusanJStickle.com)

Wayne, Ill. – The top young talent from across the country participated in the 2015 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals on Sunday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center. Riders from the ages of 11 to 18 displayed their equitation in front of the judges by performing both group and pattern work. Julia Lee Barton claimed top honors in the 13 & Under division, while Alexander Dawson earned the National title in the 14-18 division.

13 & Under Division

Kicking off competition this morning in the Wisconsin Equine Clinic Arena were 13 of the nation’s top 13 & Under dressage competitors. Exhibiting poise and beautiful riding to earn the Gold medal with a score of 88.000% was Barton (Lawrence, Kan.) riding her own Bonnaroo. Barton is trained by Clare Krska, who won at these finals in 2010 in the 14-18 division.

“I really liked my individual pattern. Bonnaroo was really responsive and I could focus on myself and my aids,” said Barton.

Barton has owned Bonnaroo, a six-year-old German Riding Pony/Quarter Horse Cross, since the mare was just 30 days under-saddle and has done the majority of the training herself.

Finishing a close second on a score of 87.000% was Tillie Jones (Lincoln, Neb.) riding Samantha Kenik’s Westphalian, Flavio. Flavio was loaned to Jones for this competition, giving the pair just two months together to prepare. Jones is trained by Jami Kment.

Jones explained her preparation for these finals: “I printed out all the patterns available and went through one or two each time I rode, in addition to no-stirrup work.”

Taking the Bronze medal was Camille Molton (Charleston, S.C.) on Robb Prichard’s Welsh Pony Cross, Mom’s Little Lulu, scoring 85.000%. Molton is trained by Michelle Folden.

Complete 13 & Under divisions results

14-18 Division

Dawson (Kenosha, Wis.) is no stranger to the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, having won the 13 & Under division in 2013. This year he delivered in the 14-18 division, under the guidance of trainer Patricia Becker, and demonstrated great equitation on Lynda Chesser’s KWPN, Shamrock H, to win the championship with a score of 85.000%.

“I’m so grateful to Lynda Chesser for letting me ride Shamrock H. He is such a wonderful horse and really calm; competing in the 13 & Under division really prepared me for this division,” said Dawson.

Taking Reserve Champion was Asia Ondaatje Rupert (Greenwich, Conn.) and her own Dutch Warmblood, Twelfth Night, with an 84.000%. She showed good contact throughout her ride. Rupert is trained by Karin Persson.

“It was really interesting to ride her in the equitation. I rode her in the regionals equitation, but I never did that before, so I learned a lot about my horse today,” said Ondaatje Rupert.

Although Stella Leitner (Los Angeles, Calif.) only has known Amanda Johnson’s Hanoverian, Pip, a short time, having borrowed him for the competition, the pair performed well together. They worked on trot-halt transitions, which helped her in today’s Finals for a third-place finish with an 80.000%. She is trained by Kristina Harrison.

“Pip has been everywhere and done everything so he’s the pro. I was new at this, and he just knows what he’s doing. He’s just a real sweet horse,” Leitner said.

Complete 14-18 division results

From the USEF Communications Department

Dawson and Frederick Score National Titles at USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals

Alexander Dawson (www.yourhorses.ifp3.com)

Lexington, KY – Over the weekend, the Stanley Park Fairgrounds in Estes Park, Colorado, played host to 25 of the top junior dressage riders for the 2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals. Held in conjunction with the Paragon Dressage CDI, the annual championship hosted elite equitation competition in 13 & Under and 14-18 age divisions. In the 13 & Under division, Alexander Dawson topped the field of 13 to claim championship honors, while in 14-18 competition Mickayla Frederick earned her first National Title. All entries rode in front of the expert panel of Janine Malone, Joan Darnell, and Jane Weatherwax.

13 & Under

Dawson (Sturtevant, WI) traveled to Estes Park in hopes of capturing a National Title with his own Kynynmount Shenanigans. The 13-year-old excelled throughout the rail work and pattern, which called for sitting trot, to score an impressive 88%.

“It’s been a long goal of mine and I’m really happy to be here. All the people here are super great and really good riders, so I’m really honored,” said Dawson of his experience over the weekend.

From the moment that he entered the ring on Saturday, everything played out perfectly for Dawson and the 10-year-old Connemara Cross pony.

“I felt that it went really good; he put his best effort forward and that’s all we really could.”

Earning Reserve Championship honors with a score of 82% were Mackenzie Perez (Fort Worth, TX) and Lori Mosites’ 13-year-old Trakehner mare Eli Sheva.

Third place honors went to Asia Ondaatje Rupert (Greenwich, CT) and Julie Burt’s 14-year-old Hanoverian mare Genuine Gem with a score of 77%.

Mickayla Frederick
Mickayla Frederick

14-18 Division

In the 14-18 age group, Fredericks (Johnston, IA) scored a resounding victory after scoring 85% with Robert Susa’s and her own 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding Wrainer Q.

Vanessa Barnes (Atlanta, GA) cruised to Reserve Champion honors after scoring 79% with Beth Villery’s 20-year-old Holsteiner gelding Legende.

Earning third place honors were Sophie Nasrullah (Louisville, CO) and her own 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Deveryk with a score of 78%.

To find scores from the Paragon Dressage CDI, visit: http://2whitefeet.com/Scoring/Home.

To find out more information about the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, click here.

2013 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals Set to Begin

Lexington, KY – The country’s top junior riders will head to Stanley Park Fairgrounds in Estes Park, CO to compete in the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, held in conjunction with the Paragon Dressage CDI, August 15-18. Twenty-five riders from Connecticut to California will demonstrate their skills in hope of claiming a national title.

The USEF Dressage Seat Medal program celebrates excellence in equitation and strives to develop a solid foundation for future success in the international dressage arena. Youth wishing to qualify for the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals must compete at USDF/USEF Dressage Seat Medal Semi-Final held at Great American/USDF Regional Championships. Riders placing in the top two in the Semi-Finals are automatically invited to the Finals. Split into two groups based on age, riders compete in either the 13 & Under or 14-18 divisions.

In front of the judging panel of Janine Malone, Joan Darnell, and Jane Weatherwax, 13 riders will compete in the Medal Final class for the 13 & Under division on Saturday afternoon in the International Ring. On Sunday morning, 12 riders in the 14-18 division will ride in front of Janine Malone, Joan Darnell, and Jeanne McDonald in the International Ring hoping to earn the winning title.

To find out more information about the USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals, click here.

USEF Accepting Letters of Intent to Host 2014 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is now accepting letters of intent from competition managers to host the 2014 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals. These Finals will take place in the summer of 2014.

The purpose of the USDF/USEF Dressage Seat Medal program presented by Dressage Today is to promote and reward correct seat, position, and use of aids in dressage for youth riders. The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) oversees the qualifying system and the Semi-Finals, while the USEF manages the Finals.

The USDF/USEF Dressage Seat Medal program presented by Dressage Today is split in two age divisions: 13-and-under and 14-18. A rider is eligible for the 13-and-under Semi-Final class until the end of the calendar year in which he/she reaches the age of 13. A rider is eligible for the 14-18 Semi-Final class from the beginning of the calendar year in which he/she reaches 14 until the end of the calendar year in which he/she reaches the age of 18.

Continue reading USEF Accepting Letters of Intent to Host 2014 USEF Dressage Seat Medal Finals