Tag Archives: Alexander Dawson

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.