BROOKLEA FARM OVERALL CHAMPION EVENTING AWARD

The Brooklea Farm award recognizes the Overall Eventing Horse of the Year. The champion from each of the seven eventing levels, beginner novice through advanced, is assigned a percentage factor that reflects the increasing difficulty of the levels. The horse with the most points after the difficulty factor has been added is named the Eventing Horse of the Year.

Danito (Dancier x Wie Musik/Wolkenstein II) had an interesting year because he started by breaking his withers in February. After the obligatory time off, he came back to work an inch shorter but fiercer than ever. He understands and enjoys his job, so he barely missed a beat with a top finish at his first outing in 2022 at Rebecca Farms 4*.

“When Tamie Smith suggested that Danito should run the 5* in Maryland, I had my doubts,” admitted owner Ruth Bley. “Could he really

DANITO 149.00

Dancier x Wie Musik/Wolkenstein II

Owner: Ruth Bley gallop that long and jump those monster fences?” Well, apparently with Tamie in the irons, he can and they galloped to an amazing second-place finish.

Breeder: Herbert Schuette, Ger.

“We’re not sure what this year has in store for him,” said Ruth. “Will he be a team horse and do we hold him back for potential team competition that he may or may not be selected for or do we run him at the 5* in Kentucky? Either way, as long as he’s happy and sound, it’s been a wonderful journey. He’s the little red horse who could.”

CHAMPION

8.390

Benicio x Deniera/De Niro

Owner: Holly and Jeffrey Taylor

Breeder: ZG Harms