THE HILLTOP FARM, INC. YOUNG DRESSAGE HORSE AWARD

This award, sponsored by Hilltop Farm, celebrates the highest scoring Hanoverian or Rhineland young dressage horse competing in the USEF 4-year-old and FEI 5- and 6-year-old classes.

Four-year-old Hanoverian Bailey H (Benicio x Deniera/De Niro), with a score of 8.39, earned the title of champion in the young horse competitions. He’s a very enthusiastic and playful young horse, and at the same time, has a willing attitude and picks up things very quickly in his training. Bred by ZG Harms, Bailey is owned by Holly and Jeffrey Taylor.

7.740

Don Romanov x Wanderwelfin/Wanderbursch II

Owner: Bruce and Maripat Connor and Petra Warlimont

Breeder: GmbH Limbecker and Co.

Five-year-old Rhinelander Don Hannes (Don Romanov x Wanderwelfin/ Wanderbursch II) was awarded reserve champion with a score of 7.74. This is the second year he has been in the top two for this young horse award. Bred by Oliver Wauro, Don Hannes is owned by Petra Warlimont and Bruce and Maripat Connor.

Liberty Gold x Winessa/De Niro

Owner: Jan Marquardt

Breeder: Jan Marquardt

Under the guidance of her rider, Heather McCarthy, Lady in Red earned the FEI Horse of the Year award by achieving a 74.118% year-end score in the open division at Prix St. Georges.

“Red loves to show off in the show arena,” said Heather, “and she’s the diva of the barn. She’s like a dog – I swear. She will put her head down to the ground in front of your feet and stand there forever and let you scratch the inside of her ears and hug her. She will not take no for an answer. She just stands there with her head in your lap wanting cuddles. Then when you bring her into the arena, it’s ears straight forward, head up and ready to rock!”

Heather said Red is very smart, and she is all mare. “Sometimes I think, ‘Is she ever going to do this?’” said Heather. “Then all of a sudden, she is like, ‘Oh, you want this? Okay, I got it.’”

As far as the future, Heather said they’ll take it day by day. “We’re going to keep chipping away and see how far we can go together. So far, nothing has been too much for her, so fingers and toes crossed!”