Tag Archives: High Prairie Dressage

Colorado Horse Park Launches Successful High Prairie Dressage I, II and III

Devon Wycoff and Power Play at the Colorado Horse Park’s High Prairie Dressage I, II and III. Photos by Dawn Hawkinson.

Parker, CO – June 6, 2014 – The first dressage shows of the season at the Colorado Horse Park’s High Prairie Dressage I, II and III kicked off May 30 – June 1 with successful results for Young Rider Devon Wycoff, and seasoned veteran, K. C. Parkins-Kyle.

Wycoff, a 20-year-old film and drama student from Boulder, CO, and Power Play, her own 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Pik Noir Feldessa, Top of Class), took the opportunity to fine-tune their tests and freestyle before the 2014 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions to be held next week at the USEF Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ. The duo placed second in the FEI Young Rider Team Test with a 68.947 percent, and went on to sweep wins in the Young Rider Individual Test with a 70.197 percent and the Young Rider Freestyle with a 71.43 percent.

“I think this past weekend went well,” Wycoff said. “I was pleased with the quality of horse I had in the arena all three days. It was important to me to see what works and what doesn’t in both the ring and in the warm-up.”

She used the warm, friendly atmosphere at The Colorado Horse Park shows to help her gain confidence in the arena after a recent shift to a more correct approach to riding.

“I grew up showing there starting when I was 9 years old,” she said. “I love that place. The staff is like a well-oiled machine. They are always so friendly and they are there whenever you need something. It is incredibly refreshing to have a show grounds that takes the footing so seriously. The footing has always been a priority for the CHP, and it shows. The facility, the staff and the overall show experience have always been top notch for me. I always look forward to showing at the Colorado Horse Park every year!”

The experience at the show helped her focus her attention before heading off to New Jersey for the Festival of Champions.

“Really, it’s all there,” she said. “It now comes down to finding that confidence in my own riding with this new approach, especially in the show arena. In the long run, I think it will help Player move up the levels and be fitter as well as prepare me to be a knowledgeable and correct FEI rider. I think just this past weekend the training and my own confidence with the training started to click in the show arena – we still had some mistakes that are costly but I am very happy with how fit Player feels.”

She added that it was only the second time they had ridden the Freestyle in the arena.

“The actual pattern and test itself was a bit all over the place and I am finding there are still some kinks to be worked out in the music but, like I said, Player felt super and we received quite a few 9s on movements, so I am very happy with that,” she said.

Wycoff believes Power Play, whom she also calls Player, Power Noodle, or just The Noodle, is the hardest worker she has ever had the pleasure of riding.

“I adore him with every fiber of my being,” she said. “He enjoys long walks on the beach and is very committed to his vegan diet and his favorite book is ‘A Tail of Two Cities.'”

K. C. Parkins-Kyle and Hudson
K. C. Parkins-Kyle and Hudson

Also fresh off wins was Parkins-Kyle on Olaf, an 18-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Wagenaar – Jerianne) owned by Sarah Bushon-Weeks, and Hudson, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding (His Highness 2 – Windspiel, Walt Disney) also owned by Bushong-Weeks.

Perkins-Kyle, a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Gold Medalist based out of Hidden Ridge Farm in Franktown, CO, and Olaf earned scores of 61.400 percent and 59.006 percent in the Grand Prix. She and Hudson earned the blue ribbon in Sunday’s Prix St. Georges with a 66.974 percent and third place in Saturday’s Prix St. Georges with a 62.763 percent.

“Although the judging was tight, it was very fair and accurate,” Kyle said of her tests on Hudson. “My ride on Sunday was probably one of the better ones I’ve had on that horse.”

Their partnership is only about a year old and she expects the horse to move up into Intermediaire with an eye toward Grand Prix.

“I’m working on a freestyle but they don’t have those at Prix St. Georges, so that means I’m going to have to get to some I-1s,” she laughed. “I like doing the freestyles a lot anyway. I hate to say this because it’s not the type of music I like, but I think Hudson will be going to some disco. I went through that the first time and I don’t know why I want to do that again but I won’t be wearing a leotard or a satin shirt.”

Dressage at the scenic Colorado Horse Park will continue in August with Dressage in the Rockies I, II and III Aug. 1-3. Show information can be found at the Colorado Horse Park website, www.coloradohorsepark.com.

About the Colorado Horse Park

Celebrating its 21th Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado. The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 35,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually. CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist, David O’Connor. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity to house more than 1,000.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space. The Colorado Horse Park is committed to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community.

Visit CHP at: http://coloradohorsepark.com/.

Sue Weakley for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

High Prairie Dressage Markel/USEF Young Horse Qualifier Classes Help Identify Future Talent

Petra Warlimont and Lorenzo in the Markel USEF/Young Horse 5-Year-Old Qualifier.

Parker, CO – June 2, 2013 – High Prairie Dressage III at the Colorado Horse Park held a series of Markel/USEF Young Horse Qualifying classes Sunday, part of a program using special dressage tests for 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old horses to help scout out potential outstanding talent for future careers at the FEI level or participation in U.S. High Performance Teams.

A key component of the classes is personalized feedback from the judges. Immediately after the test, the judges discuss the test with the rider to help with training goals.

Ann Buchanan rode Sky Hit to win the Markel/USEF 4-Year-Old Qualifier. “He was really good,” she said. “There’s a lot going on in there and he really kept it together.” She said the judges liked his walk and thought he was very submissive, especially with all the activity at the show. She added that she specifically purchased the horse in order to participate in the Young Horse Qualifier and appreciated the feedback from the judges to help her continue her horse’s training. “I’m learning a lot,” she said.

Petra Warlimont rode Laurenzo for a first place finish and Diva MCF for the second-place spot in the Markel/USEF Young Horse 5-Year-Old Qualifier. She said Laurenzo was tired after two days of showing. “In the walk we wandered all over the place, but he’s super and this was his first horse show.”

Warlimont said the judges scored the horse favorably. “The general impression was an 8.2, so he’s in the Top 15,” she said. “With this stuff going on, I could feel him getting pretty tense in there, but he kept it together.”

Laurenzo’s breeder, Cindy Feirn, said she breeds Holsteiners on Colorado’s Western Slope and added she has another 4-year-old that will soon be trying to qualify in the Markel/USEF program.

Warlimont laughed, “I told her to make 10 more of those. He’s super!”

Warlimont also enjoyed her ride on Diva MCF and said the mare just keeps surprising her by getting better and better but is not quite ready for the big time. “She can’t really hold the collection in the trot but otherwise I’m really happy with where she is,” Warlimont explained.

She added that, although the judges really liked the mare’s canter, they thought her rhythm in the collected trot was inconsistent. “I’m happy with the score,” she said. “I didn’t even think she would be able to handle the test and she did really well.”

Allen Swafford and Fiderstep HW in the Markel/USEF Young Rider 5-Year-Old Qualifier
Allen Swafford and Fiderstep HW in the Markel/USEF Young Rider 5-Year-Old Qualifier

Allen Swafford and Fiderstep HW also participated in the Young Horse 5-Year-Old Qualifier and came away with third place. He said he received good feedback from the judges on the horse. “He’s super,” he said. “It’s his first test and his first horse show and we weren’t as expressive as we can be. We were trying to be conservative and just do a nice test and then next time we can go for expression.”

Swafford agreed with the other competitors that the feedback from the judges helps him plan a roadmap for his horse’s future training. “I love all the encouraging words,” he said. “They tell you all the things you need to work on and go forward with that. It’s very good.”

Today concluded a weekend of exciting dressage in a comfortably friendly atmosphere at an unparalleled facility, the Colorado Horse Park. High Prairie Dressage I, II and IIl offered a full range of classes for every level of competitor in a picturesque setting overlooking the Rocky Mountains.

For more information, go to www.coloradohorsepark.com.

The Colorado Horse Park High Prairie Dressage I, II & III Fast Facts

What:
High Prairie Dressage USEF Level 3 Show

Event Dates:
May 31 – June 2, 2013

Contact Information:
(until May 28, 2013)                         818-841-3554
(May 29 – June 2, 2013)                   303-841-3892

Tentative Schedule:
Friday – Sunday: Unofficial Times will be mailed to all exhibitors prior to the show, and will be available on www.cornerstonedressage.com. Official times will be posted every morning one hour before the first scheduled ride.

Helmet Reminder: Effective April 1, 2013, for dressage: Anyone mounted on a horse must wear protective headgear.

Directions:

Address: 7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway.  Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approximately three miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road.  Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approximately four miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway.  Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approximately four miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

Sue Weakley for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Rock On Dances Away with FEI Freestyle Win at High Prairie Dressage II

Shannon Dahmer and Rock On extend during the FEI Freestyle Test of Choice at the Colorado Horse Park’s High Prairie Dressage II.

Parker, CO – June 1, 2013 – Shannon Dahmer rocked it with Rock On in the FEI Freestyle Test of Choice to score a 68.000% in today’s High Prairie Dressage II at the Colorado Horse Park. The pair could swing “Dancing with the Stars” with their Grand Prix Freestyle featuring double pirouettes and spot-on one-tempis to “Eye of the Tiger” and other music from the iconic movie, “Rocky.”

Dahmer said the freestyle score was chosen because Rock On’s barn name is Rocky, but more germane to the Rocky theme woven throughout today’s winning freestyle is the 16-year-old Oldenburg’s history as a fighter who beat the odds to triumph in the dressage arena.

In 2009, Rocky nearly died from founder. Dahmer and Rocky’s owner, Mary Allyn, were the ones who brought the gelding back to health to help him claim his heavyweight crown. “Isn’t that amazing that he’s doing the Grand Prix?” Allyn asked. “It was a labor of love and he’s such a special horse. It’s amazing to get a horse to Grand Prix anyway and especially one who foundered. He’s special.”

Dahmer agreed. “This is his second year doing Grand Prix and this is kind of a big deal.” The pair placed fifth with a 65.875% in the Grand Prix Freestyle in the CDI3* in San Juan Capistrano, CA, in March and, just last week, they competed in the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special in Del Mar, CA.

“Shannon has obviously done an amazing job,” Allyn said of Rocky’s rider. “She’s the one who brought him to Grand Prix.”

Dahmer is one proud trainer whose fondness for the knock-out horse is obvious. “He’s rideable now,” she beamed.

Another horse and rider pair who rocked the freestyle was Jane Ann Lake and Tecolate who scored a 63.333% in the USDF Freestyle Test of Choice at second level.

“I was happy with him but he was a little tense,” Lake said. “This was his first class of the show season and it’s kind of cold and it’s kind of windy, so he just got a little amped up.”

She continued, “You do your best and that’s all you can ask for. So, hopefully, by this afternoon for his second class, he’ll be much calmer.” The pair earned a 63.05% in the Second Level Test 3 – Masters’ class later in the day.

Another exciting series of classes at High Prairie Dressage included the $750-plus add back Rising Star Challenge offered for 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old horses. Frederick Magazzeni rode two horses in the Rising Star Training Level Test 2 class, Rheiney Day Woman and Razz Ma Tazz. Shannon Dahmer and The King of Rock N’Roll took the blue with a 69.643% while Magazzeni scored a 68.036% with Rheiney Day Woman to secure second place and a 65.179% with Razz Ma Tazz to take the third slot in the class.

Magazzeni said Rheiney Day Woman, a 4-year-old mare, competed in only the second test of her career in the class. “She’s been wonderful and very quiet,” he said. “She seems to have just been born with an understanding that she’s here to be a show horse.”

More exciting dressage action continues tomorrow with High Prairie Dressage III and includes Markel USEF Young Horse Qualifying classes as well as a full cadre of USDF classes.

For more information, go to www.coloradohorsepark.com.

The Colorado Horse Park High Prairie Dressage I, II & III Fast Facts

What:
High Prairie Dressage USEF Level 3 Show

Event Dates:
May 31 – June 2, 2013

Contact Information:
(until May 28, 2013)                         818-841-3554
(May 29 – June 2, 2013)                   303-841-3892

Tentative Schedule:
Friday – Sunday: Unofficial Times will be mailed to all exhibitors prior to the show, and will be available on www.cornerstonedressage.com. Official times will be posted every morning one hour before the first scheduled ride.

Helmet Reminder: Effective April 1, 2013, for dressage: Anyone mounted on a horse must wear protective headgear.

Directions:

Address: 7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway.  Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approximately three miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road.  Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approximately four miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway.  Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approximately four miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

Sue Weakley for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Nicole Glusenkamp and Eeltsje F Win Grand Prix Open at High Prairie Dressage I

Nicole Glusenkamp and Eeltsje F.

Parker, CO – May 31, 2013 – Nicole Glusenkamp and Eeltsje F, a Friesian stallion owned by Paula Marsh of Wyning Edge Friesians in Boerne, Texas, claimed the win in the Grand Prix Open with a 65.904% in the first day of dressage at the High Prairie Dressage I, II, and III at the Colorado Horse Park (CHP) in Parker, CO.

Glusenkamp, a hometown trainer based in Parker, has had the ride on the Friesian for eight years. She said Eeltsje F was a bit tired from breeding last week, but the horse was steady, even in the blustery winds on Friday at the Horse Park. “It’s not a problem for me, because my horse doesn’t care,” she explained. “Nothing bothers him. I haven’t met anything that bothers him yet.”

She added that she enjoys coming to the Colorado Horse Park where the facilities are top-notch. “You know they always do a great job,” she said. She was particularly impressed with the new GGT-Footing the Horse Park installed. “It’s really nice,” she said. “The horses like it!”

Glusenkamp and Eeltsje F performed a solid test with smooth tempi changes and transitions. Taking second place in the Grand Prix Open behind Glusenkamp was Shannon Dahmer on Rock On with a 65.479%.

Dressage newcomer Andrea Caudill from Amarillo, Texas, had reason to celebrate on her own Haidaseeker Playboy, who scored a 57.632% to take third in the Prix St. Georges – Amateur/Junior/Young Rider class.  “It was our first try at Prix St. Georges,” she said.  “He is an American Quarter Horse and this is my first dressage horse!”

The horse is a money-earner and winner in reined cow horse, they show in the Panhandle Reined Cow Horse Association in the Texas Panhandle and they entered the Reined Cow Horse World Show in January.  Although she and Haidaseeker Playboy, whom she calls “Matt,” currently compete in boxing, a cutting discipline within reined cow horse, as well as reining and endurance racing, she decided she wanted to tackle a new challenge – dressage.

“Some friends of mine were doing it and we decided to try it and we’ve been climbing the levels,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun! I’d never even ridden a dressage horse before. And we just keep moving up.  He just started doing piaffe and passage last fall.”

Although she trains Matt herself, her dressage instructor, Michelle Just-Williams of Ocala, Florida, gives her pointers via Skype.  Caudill live-streams her lessons over the computer and Just-Williams coaches her student on a screen.  Caudill started at first level when Just-Williams began instructing her and they are now at Prix St. Georges.  “She has taught us how to do this over the phone.  So, where there’s a will there’s a way. ”

“That’s why I got a Quarter Horse!” she said. “If you want to do it all…” She is a walking advertisement for the breed and said the Quarter Horse is the perfect partner for any discipline – including dressage.

The action continues at the Colorado Horse Park with Dressage at High Prairie II and III on Saturday and Sunday.

The Colorado Horse Park High Prairie Dressage I, II & III Fast Facts

What:
High Prairie Dressage USEF Level 3 Show

Event Dates:
May 31 – June 2, 2013

Contact Information:
(until May 28, 2013)                         818-841-3554
(May 29 – June 2, 2013)                   303-841-3892

Tentative Schedule:
Friday – Sunday: Unofficial Times will be mailed to all exhibitors prior to the show, and will be available on www.cornerstonedressage.com. Official times will be posted every morning one hour before the first scheduled ride.

Helmet Reminder: Effective April 1, 2013, for dressage: Anyone mounted on a horse must wear protective headgear.

Directions:

Address: 7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway.  Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approximately three miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road.  Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approximately four miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway.  Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approximately four miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

Sue Weakley for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com