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GREENGATE FARM AWARD ADULT AMATEUR FEI
The Greengate Award, established in 2019 by Rachel and Warren Ehrlich of Greengate Farm, honors the breeder of an American-born horse that is a high-score winner at the US Dressage Finals at the National and FEI levels.
Rachel Pennington and Finnegan (Fidertanz SQF x SPS Whitney/Wolkenstein II) earned the Greengate Award at the adult amateur FEI level.
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Rachel had never ridden above First Level before Finn. “It’s fun, we’re learning together,” she said. “It’s rewarding to learn new movements and progress together. He has lots of natural talent, and I’m definitely the limiting factor. But it amazes me that he’s patient and tries so hard.”
While he’s a successful competitive partner, Rachel, who has known Finn since he was born, said he has some “quirks.” He’s “very particular, methodical and doesn’t like change,” she explained. “He gets lots of special allowances, and I’ve learned to choose my battles.”
Finn does best with a lot of turnout time. “Unless the weather is bad or we’re at a show, he’s outside from late afternoon through the night,” Rachel said. “Once he’s outside, you can’t catch him until the morning. In fact, you have to leave a halter on him or you may never catch him!”
Rachel’s goal this year are to perfect the movements at Prix St George and Intermediate. In addition, Rachel applied for and received his FEI passport “with the hopes of doing our first CDI this spring.”
Rachel appreciates the awards given because it helps recognize all those involved – from the breeders to the trainers. “With the time, money and effort that goes into this sport, it’s always great to have recognition,” she said. “I want to thank Jill Peterson of StarQuarry Farm – Finn’s breeder and our biggest cheerleader. I also want to thank my trainers at LTR Dressage, Lyndon Rife and Julie Madriguera, for the support and knowledge to get us to the FEI level. And of course, thanks to the American Hanoverian Society for recognizing our success.”
Louisville Htf
Lord Leatherdale x Unicum D/Negro
Owner: Hilltop Farm
Breeder: Hilltop Farm
