Sierra Keasler and Lux Stensvang (Photo courtesy of Equinium Sports Marketing)
Wellington, Florida (March 10, 2016) – In a clean sweep of the Intermediaire II, Grand Prix, and Grand Prix Freestyle in the U25 division, Sierra Keasler and Lux Stensvang once again proved their mettle, this time in the prestigious international arena during Week 8 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. In her first CDI of 2017, Keasler and the Danish Warmblood gelding (Lobster x Verona Stensvang x Diamond) delivered expressive, correct, and elegant tests across three days and against rigorous competition to dominate the Derby’s CDI U25 division, presented by Diamante Farms.
After a victorious U25 Grand Prix debut at the national level a few weeks before, Keasler was thrilled that her CDI performance was on par. Under the guidance of trainer and coach Silke Rembacz, Keasler and Lux kicked off the week’s competition with a win in the Intermediaire II, scoring 68.15% in their first CDI appearance of 2017. Friday’s U25 Grand Prix brought in a similar score for Keasler with less than a percentage point’s deviation from the Intermediaire II: she once again topped the class with a 68.860%. Sunday called for the FEI U25 Grand Prix Freestyle, which was Keasler’s first attempt at the Kur with Lux and at the CDI level. The pair opened their CDI Freestyle career with a 71.042% to once again win the class and delivering a hat trick succession of wins during the Palm Beach Dressage Derby CDI-W.
Highlighted by an exceptionally fluid and elastic canter tour, Lux and Keasler’s dressage partnership began in 2015 and has progressed to success in the FEI level. “I’m mainly thrilled with consistency of our scores, and of course with the success of our Freestyle,” said Keasler of their Derby performance. “Lux is so special to me and I am so incredibly thankful to have a horse of his caliber and talent. He really settled into the ring this week and tried his best for me. None of our success would be possible if not for Silke’s guidance and the support of my family and friends, especially my amazing mother who was our super groom. It was great to be surrounded by positive people who show so much support for my horse and I. The atmosphere was very relaxed and I really enjoyed being back in the international arena and sharing the experience with other young riders. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and enjoying developing our dressage career even further this season.”
Lux and Keasler, in addition to Rembacz’s mentoring, have been selected to participate in the USEF’s Select Athlete’s One-on-One Coaching Program, and recently took advantage of the first of her sessions with FEI Judge Charlotte Bredhal before the Derby CDI-W.
Keasler began her advanced dressage career in 2011 as a successful Junior competitor at the NAJYRC. She spent almost 5 years as a working student for Lionshare Dressage in Wellington, Florida, where she honed her skills as a Young Rider and eventually came to purchase Lux. She placed in the top 5 at Nationals that year, and quickly progressed to the FEI level, earning her USDF Silver Medal after competing Hyperion Farm’s Corcovado at Prix St. Georges. She and Corcovado were also the Fourth Level Young Rider Region 3 Champions in 2014. In 2015 she earned the ride on Lux Stensvang, and in their first outing at Grand Prix scored 72.9%. That same year they successfully competed in the U25 Grand Prix at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival and were the Reserve Champions in the 2015 Brentina Cup. In 2016 she again campaigned Lux in the U25 Grand Prix, culminating in a 4th place overall finish at the 2016 US Dressage Finals. After purchasing Lux as her primary competition mount, Keasler began training in 2016 with FEI dressage trainer Silke Rembacz as she prepares to compete in the CDI U25 Grand Prix divisions at the 2017 Adequan Global Dressage Festival.
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Holly Johnson
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
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