Photo courtesy of Katherine Bateson-Chandler.

Hartpury, Great Britain (June 20, 2016) – United Kingdom native Katherine Bateson-Chandler returned to her roots this summer to compete with her top mount at some of Europe’s most prestigious dressage shows. Now an American citizen, Bateson-Chandler represented the U.S. on a Nations Cup team earlier this summer at the Odense Horse Festival sponsored by ECCO. Bateson-Chandler will continue going up against the best of the best in international dressage as she continues her European competition schedule.

This summer, Bateson-Chandler has been specifically focusing on the development of her talented Grand Prix partner Alcazar, a ten-year-old KWPN gelding (Cantango x Polin, Ferro) lovingly known as “Lonzie” and owned by Jane F. Clark. The pair has demonstrated impressive teamwork in the international arena and managed to pull off high scores representing the U.S. at Odense. The pair triumphed through some major distracting and daunting obstacles near the show ring, including a soccer game, a plastic bag attached to the speaker, passing trains, and a kids’ bouncing castle. Bateson-Chandler commented, “Lonzie was the anchor for the team, and I felt we were up for that challenge. He had the highest score of the U.S. horses. He felt really great in the challenging arena, and even though we still have work to do with building his confidence, he always keeps improving.”

For Bateson-Chandler, the best part of the Nations Cup competition was being part of her team. “It was an honor to represent the U.S. team and have such fantastic teammates. A huge thank you to Robert Dover (chef d’equipe) for being unendingly supportive and positive.” The pair followed this competition with another solid performance at the Aalborg Dressage Event in Aalborg, Denmark.

Now Bateson-Chandler and Alcazar will continue training in Europe and may compete in a few more competitions in the United Kingdom before returning to the United States. These potential upcoming competitions would take place at the five-day Hartpury Festival of Dressage, which includes CDI3*, CPEDI3*, British Dressage Young Pony Championships, and the Elite Stallions Prix St. Georges Young Horse Championship. Last summer, the pair successfully competed at this same event in the CDIO3* Nations Cup Grand Prix, and took home the highest-placing American spot. Bateson-Chandler is also considering returning to compete at Dressage at Hickstead, where last year they took a top ten placing in the CDIO3* and debuted their Grand Prix Freestyle to an impressive 71.350 percent.

Bateson-Chandler trains with British Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Hester during her time in Europe, who will also be competing in the Hartpury Festival of Dressage. “Carl’s is very much like home to us,” she said. “I have been training with him since 2007 and he and I have very similar thoughts on training and horsemanship. In addition to a structured training program, he believes in hacking the horses and lots of turnout, which is very important to me. On top of this, Carl is a great friend and incredible person who trains with total empathy for the horse. I could not be more pleased to return to his yard and compete with the best in the world in Europe.”

Bateson-Chandler offers training and coaching services through her business KBC Dressage. Her international Grand Prix experience ensures that her students – both human and equine – have the competitive edge necessary for success in the dressage ring. KBC Dressage offers training services, lessons, clinics, and prospect selection for clients. For more information about Katherine Bateson-Chandler, visit www.kbcdressage.com.

Contact: Katherine Bateson-Chandler
chandlercarlos@aol.com
908-391-9096